RACE DETAILS | 2019-town-challenge

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POST-RACE MEET-UP - TIMBER AND TORCH

Cruise into Timber and Torch after the race to enjoy a delicious meal and cold drinks. Timber and Torch will be open until 9:00 PM for dinner and 10:30 PM for drinks.

Timber & Torch restaurant is the centerpiece of Gondola Square right at the base of the mountain. Timber & Torch features two indoor/outdoor bars, an outdoor heated patio and an exterior fireplace. Serving lunch, happy hour and dinner daily. The bistro-inspired food, 24 beers on tap, craft cocktails and live music will fire up your evening.

This week's race will include a designated post-race meet-up location vs. an official post-race party. We will not be hosting a raffle or providing one complimentary beer at this week's event. We will be focusing our resources on the upcoming Community Ride and end-of-season BBQ.

RACE #5- JULY 31 - HOWELSEN HOWLER

COURSE PRE-RIDES

Racers are welcome to pre-ride the course on Emerald Mountain at any time. The majority of the course markings will go up on the afternoon of Monday, July 29. Be aware that course signage at the base of Emerald Mountain (near the Howelsen Hill Lodge, Sombrero Stables, etc.) will not go up until race-day, so you may have to do a little route finding in the days leading up to the race.

CAUTION: A new communication site will be installed at the top of Emerald Mountain in the coming weeks. Crews will be doing road repairs on Blackmer, and will also be delivering the communications shelter and back-up generator to the site early this week. As a result, several rolling closures and safety escorts will be encountered on Blackmer Trail throughout the entire day on both Monday, July 29, and Tuesday, July 30. Construction crews will also be working on the road during this time. so please use caution when pre-riding this section of the course.

Howelsen Howler Start Times

Buff Pass Hill Climb Start Times

HOWELSEN HOWLER POST-RACE PARTY - PRESENTED BY STEAMBOAT RADIO

The post race party will take place onsite on the patio behind the Howelsen Hill Lodge. BYO picnic blanket and/or chair.
One complimentary New Belgium beer will be provided to racers 21 years of age and older, courtesy of Arctic Liquors.
Qdoba Mexican Eats will be on site from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM selling tacos (1 taco|$3 or 2 tacos|$5) and chips/queso for $2.
- CASH ONLY - Please bring cash if you are planning on purchasing dinner after the race.
Enter the raffle to win great prizes from Steamboat Radio and our 2019 Town Challenge Sponsors!

RACE #4 - JULY 17 - BUFFALO PASS HILL CLIMB

IMPORTANT RACE DETAILS...PLEASE READ:

After a long hiatus, the Town Challenge MTB Race Series returns to Buffalo Pass. The race will be based out of the parking area and trailhead near Dry Lake Campground. Parking is very limited, so we encourage racers to carpool as much as possible.

The youth division races (12 & Under) will utilize the Panorama, Ditch, BTR and Fiddlehead trails, and will start/finish on the road leading to the Dry Lake Campground. All other divisions will participate in a hill climb race up Flash of Gold, with each division ending at a different location along the trail (see maps for specific mileage and end points).

PLEASE NOTE the earlier start times for this race. We realize that this is further out of town, and it may be difficult to get off work early, but we want to ensure that we allow enough time for racers to finish and hopefully descend before it gets too dark. That being said, please make sure to bring a headlamp or light in the event that you finish later in the evening.

Once you have finished your race, we ask that you descend to the start either via Buff Pass Road #60 or via Flash Of Gold. If you choose to descend via FOG, you may be asked to wait a brief period of time until uphill traffic has thinned and most of the racers in your division have finished. If you choose to ride the road down, please be aware that it is open to vehicular traffic, so follow the rules of the road, use caution, and descend slowly.

We will be sweeping Flash of Gold and Buff Pass Road #60. If you choose to descend via another route/trail, you are on your own. Please don't put yourself or anyone else at risk by choosing an alternative route down.

PRO/OPEN, EXPERT & SINGLESPEED COURSE: At this time, there are still many wet areas and downed timber along the upper portion of Flash of Gold, and road access is limited to the third gate (approximately 1 mile short of the Expert, Pro/Open, and Single Speed finish location). In an effort to minimize trail damage, and for the safety of our racers, staff and volunteer, we will have to cut the Expert, Pro/Open and Single Speed course short this year. All racers in these divisions will be ending at the same location as the Sport course. We may extend the finish out to the main Buff Pass Road 60, which will add an additional 1 mile to the course. We will send out final course details tomorrow morning via e-mail, and post them online by 4 PM this afternoon. We apologize for the last minute changes, but hopefully next year we will be able to run the full length of the course as planned.

MAP TO RACE START

PRO/OPEN, EXPERT & SS WILL NOW RACE THE SAME COURSE AS THE SPORT/16-18 DIVISION

Emerald Endurance Start Times

BUFF PASS HILL CLIMB POST-RACE PARTY - PRESENTED BY STEAMBOAT RADIO

The post race party will take place onsite at Buff Pass near the start area. BYO picnic blanket and/or chair.
One complimentary New Belgium beer will be provided to racers 21 years of age and older, courtesy of Arctic Liquors.
FREE Cruisers subs, chips, and cookies will be available to participants (while supplies last)
Enter the raffle to win great prizes from Steamboat Radio and our 2019 Town Challenge Sponsors!

RACE #3 - JULY 10 - EMERALD ENDURANCE

COURSE PRE-RIDES

Racers are welcome to pre-ride the course on Emerald Mountain at any time. The majority of the course markings will go up on the afternoon of Monday, July 8. Be aware that course signage at the base of Emerald Mountain (near the Howelsen Hill Lodge, Sombrero Stables, etc.) will not go up until race-day, so you may have to do a little route finding in the days leading up to the race.

Steamboat Mountain Report

EMERALD ENDURANCE POST-RACE PARTY - PRESENTED BY STEAMBOAT RADIO

The post race party will take place onsite on the patio behind the Howelsen Hill Lodge. BYO picnic blanket and/or chair.
One complimentary New Belgium beer will be provided to racers 21 years of age and older, courtesy of Arctic Liquors.
The Skull Creek Greek Wagon will be on hand selling delicious Greek inspired meals for racers and spectators.
Enter the raffle to win great prizes from Steamboat Radio and our 2019 Town Challenge Sponsors!

RACE #2 - JUNE 19 - MT. WERNER MADNESS

RACE OVERVIEW:

Despite disruptions and closures due to the construction of the new gondola, Ski Corp. has graciously allowed us to race on Mt. Werner this summer. Because of construction and changes to the summer operating hours, our first Mt. Werner race had to be shifted up by three weeks. Trails are currently limited to the lower mountain due to construction and the lingering snow pack from this winter. Bike Park crews are working hard to get as many trails open as possible by opening day on June 14. Due to the limited amount of terrain, the Mt. Werner Madness will be a circuit race, with all adult divisions racing on the same course. We will do our best to spread everyone out, but be aware that there will be passing involved, which should make for a fast and fun race.

The current course has racers climbing Valley View, turning onto Cowpoke, then descending Lickety Split. Depending on your division, you will complete that circuit a set number of times before completely descending to the start/finish area. However, there is the possibility that Lickety Split will not be ready by Wednesday's race. In the event that Lickety Split remains closed, racers would then climb Valley View, turn onto Cowpoke, descend Gunsmoke, then use the road to ascend back up to Valley View. A decision regarding the use of Lickety Split will take place on Monday. If changes are made, new maps and course descriptions will be posted online as quickly as possible.

COURSE PRE-RIDES:

Bike Park crews are working to get trails open before this week's race, so please refrain from riding the course until the remaining trails have officially opened. Click on the button below to access the mountain report and view which trails are currently open.

We will continue to provide updates here as trails are opened and available for pre-riding.

Mt. Werner Madness Start Times

Interactive Course Map

POST-RACE PARTY - TIMBER AND TORCH

Cruise into Timber and Torch after the race to enjoy a delicious meal and cold drinks. Timber and Torch will be staying open late (9:00 PM) to accommodate racers and spectators.

Click the button below to visit T&T's website and view the menu.

In an effort to respond to racer feedback in regards to the post-race parties, this week's race will include a designated post-race meet-up location vs. an official post-race party. We will not be hosting a raffle or providing one complimentary beer at this week's event. We will be focusing our resources on the upcoming Emerald Mountain and Buffalo Pass post-race events, hosting more casual BBQ style parties onsite (similar to Marabou and last year's Community Ride).

Timber and Torch Website

RACE #1 - JUNE 5 - MARABOU XC

COURSE PRE-RIDES:

Marabou Ranch will be open to the public for course pre-rides on the following days:
- Sunday, June 2 | 8 AM to 6 PM
- Monday, June 3 | 8 AM to 6 PM
- Tuesday, June 4 | 8 AM to 6 PM
Pre-ride opportunities are for mountain biking only, please no road biking on ranch property during this time.
Any riders arriving early/late will be asked to return at a later time.
Rider are required to fill out the Marabou Waiver & Release, which can be downloaded via the button below. Riders must drop off their waiver at the Ranch Entry prior to hitting the trails. Extra printed waivers will be available at the Ranch Entry.
Please use caution when riding as the trails will be open to horseback riders and other users during the pre-ride times.
Riders are NOT ALLOWED to bring their dogs to Marabou Ranch during the pre-ride days or on race day.
Please be respectful of property owners and their homes...no Peeping Toms!
Officials will begin setting course signage on Friday, May 31, and will continue with course set-up on Monday, June 3. Due to weather, trail users, and animals, course signage does have a tendency to fall down throughout the pre-ride period. If you are riding and see downed signs, there is no need to report them. Staff always inspects the course on race day and will secure or replace any signs that have fallen or have been damaged.

2019 Marabou Waiver

Marabou XC Start Times

Interactive Course Map