Grand Mesa Repack Downhill Race

When: June 5, 9am - Race begins at 10 am (wear warm clothes!)

** Shuttle from the bike shop to the top of the mountain leaves at 8:45am **

Check-in at the Visitor's Center parking lot and hang out for a bit - the morning should be nice and sunny, but the air will be chilly so a hoodie or jacket is recommended, and gloves.

Where: Stage one begins at the Grand Mesa Vistors Center on Route 121 and Hwy 65, ride Route 121 East until Route 123, then ride south until Old Grand Mesa Road and head South until the Finish at the cattle guard near the Hwy 65 intersection.

Stage two begins across the highway on 2225 Rd and finishes at Hwy 65 again! 

Then there is a fun ride back down Highway 65 to the shop, where we will have the awards ceremony! All downhill on paved highway with ample bike lane (or alternative country routes into town). 

Description: This race is a tribute to the original Repack race that took place in Marin County California during the late 1970s and invented the sport of mountain biking as we know it. This one is nowhere near as steep as the Marin County repack course! Ours covers 3000 ft in descent over 12 miles and they dropped 1300 elevation in just 2 miles! Arguably, ours is more fun! The race will begin at 10:00 am sharp and we will use regular old cell phone clocks to time it, and we encourage you to record your own via GPS or whatever cycle computer you have. To avoid a large mass start, we will start in heats of three every minute. There will be a ten-minute break and regroup at the end of stage one and the first three to finish will begin stage two. Both times will be recorded and considered for the final time. We expect the first stage to be closed to normal vehicle traffic, so you will have to go around a couple of barricades, to the right of each. 

The first stage begins with a few miles of cross country riding (yes a couple of hills) and then descends on wide gravel roads with hairpin switchbacks. We do not expect any highway vehicle traffic on the day of the race as Old Grand Mesa Road is barricaded for highway vehicles, but it is still a public road so please be aware of ATVs and Equestrians. This stage ends at the intersection of Highway 65 and Old Grand Mesa Road and continues across the highway at 2225 Road. The finish is at the barricade (narrow be careful). Conditions are dry with a few patches of stream run-off and mud. We will have volunteers directing at intersections if possible but you are encouraged to study the route on a map. When in doubt, go down and don't take any side roads except the turn off onto Old Grand Mesa Road (right and down).

Stage two is steeper and very rocky! It is a 4x4 jeep trail and will put your bike to the test! We have trialed this route a few times over the last couple of weeks and suffered a pinch flat on one bike and complete rim damage and tire blowout on another bike. Make sure your klunker can take the abuse; use good thick tires with enough air pressure that can withstand sharp blows from unwavering rocks, secure headsets, and axle nuts, and make sure most of all that your chain isn't going to move because you don't want to go chainless. Helmets and pads highly recommended!! The bottom portion is all fresh graded road base but please be aware that this road is open to traffic although it is rare to see any. The finish line is the pavement at the end of the road (going uphill) and we encourage you to leave a healthy skid mark as you cross!

Equipment Restrictions: No hand brakes – coaster brakes only

Safety Equipment: Certified Mountain bike helmet required; elbow, shin, and knee pads recommended. Gloves highly recommended: BYOB or use one of our Certified, Race-Ready bikes (First come First served on in house bikes, limited loaner supply available)

Course conditions: Stage 1: rolling hills, paved start, then steep downhill runs with switchbacks, lots of washboards

Stage 2: consistent downhill grade but lots and lots of rocks! This one's a bone shaker!

Equipment Disadvantages:   Handbrakes if equipped must be disabled or the rider takes a -0:30 second penalty

        Bikes with suspension take a -0:30 penalty

        Geared bikes take a -0:15 penalty 

Age Restrictions: 10+ (parent or legal guardian must sign if under 18)

Age Groups: There are separate categories for boys/girls, men, and women.

10 years – 15 years

        16 years – 19 years

        20 years – 29 years

        30 years – 39 years

        40 years – 49 years

        50 years and older

Prizes: The winner in each category wins a jackpot based on the number of participants; the more the merrier.