Get ready for a wild ride as Rossland’s Rubberhead Enduro mountain bike race hits the slopes at Red Mountain this weekend.
The two-day event kicks off on Saturday as part of the Kootenay Rockies and BC Enduro Series, with an anticipated 200-300 competitors.
“This will be the seventh consecutive year of Enduro mountain bike racing in Rossland,” says organizer and race director Ryan Kuhn. “This year, the Rubberhead will include five to six competitive racing stages aimed to test the riders’ technical skill and physical fitness, while being an inclusive, fun format. There’s good reason Enduro is all the rage.”
The five stages of the Rubberhead Enduro include Monticolo, BS, RedHead, Dreadhead Down Hill, and Paydirt, and while the course is primarily downhill-oriented, riders will be required to ride and climb between stages untimed to get to the starting gate. With five timed stages, racers will not only require the stamina to climb up, but also the ability to pin it down with the best overall-combined-time taking the victory.
Saturday is a training day and registration, with the deck at Red Mountain Lodge set up with a local micro-brew tasting and barbecue, and music courtesy of DJ Soulman that will be open to the public.
The races go Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. with an average course completion time expected to be four to five hours.
“Rossland is an exciting part in the BC and Kootenay Rockies Enduro series,” says series organizer Megan Rose. “Enduro racing is hands down the most exciting and popular mountain bike race format today, and Red Mountain is the perfect venue for this event, with the perfect viewing deck to watch.”
The Rubberhead Enduro will feature lots of local riders including some from the Seven Summits Gravity Racing team that competes in the BC Cup Downhill series.
“There’s never been a better reason to be in Rossland over the August long weekend,” says Kuhn. “Come race, be a spectator, take in the entertainment and enjoy a ride on the IMBA ‘Epic’ Seven Summits Trail or other world class single track in the area. It’s going to be quite the showcase of our amazing trails and community.”
Red will be open throughout the day for spectators and families with the deck opening at 11 a.m. with a barbecue and refreshments available.
Rubberhead will also top off the day with the Foggy Goggle Boys playing from 2-6 p.m. with a break for the awards ceremony at 4 p.m.
Free shuttles are also available on Saturday from Prestige to Red at 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m. and Red to Rossland from 8-10 p.m. and on Sunday from Prestige 2, 2:30, and 3 p.m. and Red to Prestige from 6-8 p.m..
For more information on the Rubberhead Enduro go to rubberheadenduro.com. For more info on the series visit bcenduro.com.