Updated November 1, 2009

The 2010 Original Growler will start promptly at 7am on Sunday May 30th. Registration is not yet open and details have not been finalized. If you want to be on the email list, let us know at info@gunnisontrails.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at user originalgrowler. ONCE AGAIN, THIS RACE WILL BE CAPPED BY THE BLM. LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO START 200. WE WILL BE ASKING OUR FRIENDS AT THE BLM FOR MORE STARTING POSITIONS BUT THE 2010 ORIGINAL GROWLER WILL STILL BE A SMALL FIELD OF RIDERS. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE EXPECTING A SOLD OUT SHOW.

Updated May 31, 2009

Why is Yuki Smiling? Photo by Phil Lambert (Moto-x-photo@live.com)

Why is Yuki Smiling? Photo by Phil Lambert (Moto-x-photo@live.com)

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The 2oo9 Original Growler is in the books. It rained, there was mud, there were trails with amazing traction, there were big views, there were low, ominous clouds. It was epic! Results are posted, including the Original Growler Town Cup and lap times. Photos are being added regularly, too. Thanks for checking out the 2009 Original Growler!

Updated May 13, 2009

THE 2nd ANNUAL ORIGINAL GROWLER MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE WILL START AT 7AM SHARP SUNDAY MAY 24TH 2009 IN GUNNISON, COLORADO.

IT IS SOLD OUT.

The 2009 Original Growler will start and finish in downtown Gunnison at IOOF Park (AKA, race HQ) on the NE corner of Main and Virginia. That makes for about 5 miles of dead flat pavement, 2.5 at the beginning and 2.5 at the end. Entire race distances are still in the ballpark of 32 miles for the Half-Growler and 64 miles for the Full-Growler. The start on the pavement will be neutral and slow. The finish on the pavement is untimed but mandatory. See below for further details.

The Growler is a mass-start event; both Half-Growler and Full-Growler racers start together. Half-Growler racers will have a black diagonal line drawn across the front of their number plates as well as red magic marker scribbles on the back on both sides down low. You should be able to tell which distance a rider is contesting.

The Start: The race will start at 7am sharp at the intersection of Main Street and Virginia Avenue in downtown Gunnison adjacent to IOOF Park. The start on the pavement will be neutral behind a lead vehicle with law enforcement helping at intersections. This neutral start will be slow, the goal being that it is a singlespeed friendly pace. Racing will begin once the group hits dirt at the entrance to the Hartman Rocks base area. The course is about a 30 mile lap on the BLM public lands that will bring riders back to the Hartman Rocks base area, where the timed finish/lap line is located.

The Finish: The timed portion of the Growler is complete when you cross the timed finish/lap line on the dirt at the Hartman Rocks base area. Half-Growler (32 miles) racers finish after one lap; Full-Growler (64 miles) racers finish after two laps. Even though you have crossed this line and your time has been etched in stone, you are not finished! By rule, to complete the Growler, you must ride back to IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison and cross a symbolic finish line there. This is also where you’ll find real food, real drink, music, results and a pleasing, post-race atmosphere. You have until about 6pm to cross this finish line in the park, so don’t rush. Once you cross the timed finish line at the Hartman Rocks base area, grab some food and drink from the feed zone, chill a bit in the hot sun and then ride back to the park at a careful, leisurely pace. If someone is too blown to ride back, we’ll help as needed. Most will be able to sufficiently recover to ride these final couple of miles back to town for some Cajun fare and New Belgium frosties at the ongoing Growler Grub Soiree catered by Sugah’s Café.

If you know the area, ride back to the park any way you like. If you’re not familiar with the Gunnison area, a well-marked route will get you back to IOOF Park. You will encounter intersections, stop signs and two stoplights on the way back to the park. Please obey all traffic laws. Remember, this is an untimed section of the race. Also, be careful as you enter the park for the crossing of the symbolic finish line as some sidewalk riding is possible and the area is sure to be busy with people, including non-cyclists and kids.

We know untimed sections are more the domain of adventure races than mountain bike races but there are issues and concerns about parking and crowding at the Hartman Rocks base area, so this is a solution. Plus, it’s never a bad thing to stay out of our cars if we can, not to mention, it’s a great warm-up and cool-down.

The Timed Finish/Lap Line: This is where the timing people will be set up at the Hartman Rocks base area. Final times for the Half-Growler (32 mile) riders will be determined here. Full-Growler (64 mile) riders will lap once here, heading back out for lap number two and then their final times will be determined here after that second lap. There will also be a neutral feed zone here.

Race Check-In, Number and Timing Chip Pickup – 5pm to 10pm Saturday May 23rd at IOOF Park. From Highway 50 and Main, (Highway 135 to Crested Butte) go north. The park is one block north of Highway 50 on the NE corner. It’s a tiny park. Race day check in, while not recommended, will open at 5am at the park. This race will start promptly at 7am whether you’re ready or not. Please check-in on Saturday night. Yes, we are using timing chips!!! Don’t lose it; don’t forget it on race day!!!

Feed Zones: We will have PowerBar Endurance Beverage and water available for you to fill your bottles and bladders. Feed zones are generally at miles 15, 17, 30, 43, 45 and 59. Feed zones will be stocked with PowerBar products, bananas, peanut butter and jelly and mini bagels or bread and maybe some other treats, too. Note: We will not be handing out bottles anywhere on the course.

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January 2009

THE 2nd ANNUAL ORIGINAL GROWLER MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE WILL START AT 7AM SHARP SUNDAY MAY 24TH 2009 IN GUNNISON, COLORADO

The Original Growler is back for 2009 and will be Sunday May 24th on an all new course: a 32-mile lap at the Hartman Rocks area on BLM public lands. At this time we’re planning to use last year’s course but in the opposite direction and with a couple of twists and turns thrown in. The well-marked course contains loads of classic Gunnison singletrack – trails like Skull Pass, Top of the World, Rattlesnake and Joshos. You won’t be bored! Each lap will climb around 4,000 vertical feet (but never more than a few hundred in one shot.) One mass start for all categories, both distances. 7am sharp. Travis Brown won last year’s 64 in just over 6 hours.

Two races, the 64-mile Original Growler (two laps) and the 32-mile Half Growler (one-lap) are presented by Gunnison Trails, a Colorado non-profit organization. Gunnison Trails is dedicated to maintaining and expanding the singletrack experience in the Gunnison area. All proceeds from the Growler benefit Gunnison Trails.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD (from the registration page), PRINT AND SNAIL MAIL US YOUR ENTRY, AS WELL.

REMEMBER, ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE TRAILS.

Further race details will be updated and posted here.

NOTE: THIS IS A LONG, BACKCOUNTRY COURSE. YOU WILL WANT TO BE A PROFICIENT SINGLETRACK MOUNTAIN BIKER WITH GOOD FITNESS TO TACKLE THIS COURSE!!! THE TRAILS ARE CHALLENGING AND SOME SECTIONS (ALL EASILY WALKABLE), ARE CONSIDERED TO BE DOWNRIGHT SKETCHBALLS BY SOME RIDERS. GOOD JUDGMENT IS A MUST AS YOU WILL BE A LONG WAY FROM HELP! NO BEGINNERS, PLEASE.

Also, if you are a runner, too, check out the link to the Sage Burner 25k and 50k trail running races taking place the day before. We will have combined run/bike categories for the very ambitious!