February 2, 2010 – The 2010 Original Growler is SOLD OUT. The wait list is also over the top so we will no longer be taking names for that. Entries are transferable until at least a week before the event so keep an eye on the MTBR forums, etc.
THE THIRD ORIGINAL GROWLER MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE WILL START AT 7AM SHARP SUNDAY MAY 30TH 2010 IN GUNNISON, COLORADO
2010 ORIGINAL GROWLER RACE DESCRIPTION
The 2010 Original Growler will start at 7am sharp, Sunday May 30th with twin shotgun blasts. The course is the same as last year’s, with one small exception: we’ll be running it in the other direction (for the most part!) The well-marked course of around 30 miles contains loads of classic and challenging Gunnison singletrack – trails like Skull Pass, Top of the World, Rattlesnake, Ridge Trail and Joshos. You won’t be bored! The lap climbs around 4,000 vertical feet (but never more than a few hundred in one shot.)
The Original Growler is only for experienced mountain bikers that possess the skills and judgment necessary to assess difficult and challenging trails and roads and negotiate them in a safe manner. NO BEGINNERS, PLEASE!
For comparison, the general character and difficulty of the trails and roads in the Original Growler is similar to those of the BLM Mack Ridge Trail System near Fruita, CO: Mary’s Loop, Lion’s Loop, Horsethief Loop, Steve’s Loop, etc.
The Original Growler race course contains difficult, technically demanding, and of course, potentially dangerous, singletrack trails, double-tracks and roads.
The Original Growler course is an isolated, backcountry route that includes numerous sections located in steep and rugged terrain where participants may be hours from medical attention and/or evacuation in the event of a serious mishap.
The long-distance nature of these races, both the Half and Full Growler, emphasizes the importance of adequate preparation, physical fitness and sound decision-making on the part of each participant.
Two racing options: The Full-Growler is the signature event. Two laps; about 64 miles. The Half-Growler is one lap for about 32 miles of racing. Both are presented by Ergon and SRAM, and brought to you by Gunnison Trails, a Colorado charitable organization. Gunnison Trails is dedicated to maintaining and expanding the singletrack experience in the Gunnison area. All proceeds from the Growler benefit Gunnison Trails.
One mass start for all categories, both distances, 7am sharp. Travis Brown won last year’s 64 in five and a half hours and change, while the Ladies Champ, Eszter Horanyi, blistered the course is less than seven hours.
The 2010 entry fee is $55 and includes a pretty cool race, well-stocked aid stations, a t-shirt and a post-race party in downtown Gunnison with killer food and drink. Tom Petty may or may not play at this party. Also expect to pay a $3 to $4 dollar fee to the good people at BikeReg.com.
REMEMBER, ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE TRAILS.
Also, if you are a runner, too, check out 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!
The 2010 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. Total distances are about 32 miles for the Half-Growler and 64 miles for the Full-Growler. The start on the pavement will be neutral and slow (singlespeed friendly!) 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.
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 the 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 unusual, but there are issues and concerns about parking and crowding at the Hartman Rocks base area, so this is the 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 – Will be at IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison. 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. Check in details to come.
Feed Zones: We will have energy 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 well stocked with food. You can also take feeds anywhere on the course from anyone at anytime. Note: Unless something changes, we will not be handing out bottles anywhere on the course.
Further race details will be updated and posted here.