Salida Recreation Announces 2017 Salida BikeFest Events
SALIDA IS HOME TO THE 6th ANNUAL SALIDA BIKEFEST! BikeFest will take place September 14-17, 2017 with some exciting ways to celebrate bikes and participate in some great races and rides. Thursday, September 14 we will kick off with the 9am BAM ride sponsored by the Salida Cycling Club. Later in the day, we will have a Ladies Mountain Bike ride sponsored by Absolute Bikes. Meet at the caboose at 5:30pm. Thursday evening we will host a special bike-related travelogue at the Salida Steamplant Ballroom at 7pm; doors will open at 6:30pm. The travelogue presentation will feature a panel of long-distance mountain and road bikers sharing photos and stories of their experiences on two wheels across the state and the country.
We will continue on Friday, September 15 with the annual chainless race down Tenderfoot Mountain organized by the High School Mountain Bike Team. So simple, yet so fun! No chain means no pedaling, so it’s all about coasting and keeping your speed! Shenanigans and costumes are encouraged. All proceeds from this race go to the Salida High School Mountain Bike team. This race will be followed by a kick-off party with Soulcraft Brewing and our three bike shops in town. The party at Souldcraft begins at 6pm. There will be a chance to ride from their location on G Street to downtown to collect tokens from each bike shop - Subculture Cyclery, Salida Bike Company and Absolute Bikes - and bring them back to the brewery to be redeemed for a free drink of your choice. We will continue our celebration with live music at 7pm. The party and the bike shop tour ride are open to bike lovers of all ages.
Saturday, September 16 is packed with events including a bike decorating party at 9:30am in Alpine Park. This will be followed by a bike parade around town ending at Riverside Park to watch the beginning of the much anticipated Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race at 11am. This 26 mile mountain bike race begins and ends near the F Street Bridge. After the race begins riders will cross over Hwy 50 and head up CR 101 to the Rainbow Trail. Riders then begin a rolling six mile stretch of single-track before descending via CR 108, the Little Rainbow Trail, and finally Race Track trail. Riders then head back to downtown Salida to finish the race and enjoy the Banana Belt after party at Riverside Park. Registration is now open for this spectacular and grueling race at salidabikefest.com.
The 19th annual Monarch Crest Crank benefiting the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse takes place Sunday, September 17 at 7:30am. This race is a great way for advanced mountain bikers to ride the famed Monarch Crest Trail, one of the top 10 mountain bike rides in America for a great cause. The Crest Crank After Party is open to anyone and will be a great way to close out Bikefest. The party begins at noon at Riverside Park with delicious food, drinks, live music and fun with friends. Local bands will be featured, so be ready to dance and have a good time! Registration is also now open for this epic ride at monarchcrestcrank.com.
Registration is open for the Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race and the Monarch Crest Crank. For more information visit www.salidabikefest.com or call 539-6738.