While snow may cover the
Vancouver Island trails, and many a bike hangs
quietly in a garage, our local race organizers have been busy preparing for the
2008 race season.
At over 10 years old, the Island
Cup Mountain Bike Race Series extends a tradition of mountain bike racing that
began 20 years ago with classic races such as Malahat Mudfest, Burnt Bridge, Hornby Island Bike Fest and many
more.
Race organizers have chosen the
Grass Roots Mountain Bike Association for their insurance provider which means
racers will buy their license for Island Cup Races from GRMBA affiliated club,
which can be done on race day. As GRMBA is also organizer of such classic races
as the Test of Metal, and insurer for the SORCA Toonie races, we hope to see
riders make the trip over to the island to partake in the Island Cup Series.
The 2008 schedule sits at almost
20 races, which includes 5 downhill’s, 5 cross countries, 5 marathon cross
countries and 3 super d’s. Classic race courses such as Hammerfest and Cumberland’s
Dodge City Downhill return, while new courses such as Sproat Lake
trails and the 3rd year for the 50km Campbell River race which promotes over 50km of
epic singletrack.
The first race will be a Super D
in Nanaimo on
March 9th, and concludes in late September with the “Ramble” in
Parksville.
A new website www.islandcupseries.com has been
created to keep everyone informed and in contact during the race season. Forums,
Photo Galleries, Maps, Race Results and more can be found on the site.
