Crested Butte, CO – There’s no better time to enjoy mountain biking in the Colorado ski town of Crested Butte than during Fat Tire Bike Week, taking place this year for the 30th time June 22-27.nDubbed “the planet’s oldest mountain bike festival,” Crested Butte’s Fat Tire Bike Week celebrates 30 years with a week of festivities including: the Fat Tire 40 endurance race; aided rides; the Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush races; mountain bike camps; a three-day tech expo; the Chainless Race; and the 24 Hour Bridges of the Butte. The 30th celebration also includes a free performance by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe on Saturday, June 26 in Mt. Crested Butte.
Below is a brief overview of this year’s “Dirty # 30” Fat Tire Bike Week events:
June 22 – 24, 2010: BetterRide MTB Camp with Gene Hamilton
Learn the correct, balanced way to ride a bike. Leave this three-day course with improved mental skills and a much greater understanding of how to mountain bike more efficiently, smoothly and quickly.
www.ftbw.com/evolve.
June 24, 2010: Cranks & Cameras Photography Workshop by Xavier Fané
Half-day workshop exploring landscape and action photography through mountain biking. Work on a variety of basic camera settings for both action and landscape photography, practice freezing motion, panning shots, blurs, playing with depth of field, composition, etc.
www.ftbw.com/xavi-fane
June 25 & 27, 2010: Rippin’ Chicks Bike Clinics with Alison Gannet
Ladies clinics featuring special champion instructors, step-by-step instruction and baby steps skills stations for cornering, switchbacks, curbs, bridges, up and over obstacles, shifting, braking, bunny hopping, uphills, downhills, rocks, roots and logs. All levels welcome. June 25: 12 – 3 p.m. June 27: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
www.ftbw.com/evolve
June 25 – 27, 2010: Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush
The Wildflower Rush mountain bike classic features three elements that have become synonymous with Crested Butte: mountain biking, wildflowers and adventure. The tenth annual event, part of the Mountain States Cup race series, includes cross-country (XC) – the famed Fat Tire 40 (USA Cycling-sanctioned event for Pros, CAT 1s and Wild-CAT class), downhill (DH), super-D (SD), mountain cross (4X), and the Shimano Youth Series race, all highlighting Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s (CBMR) legendary web of winding single track and heady elevation.
www.racemsc.com/events/wildflowerrush.html
June 25 – 27, 2010: Fat Tire Bike Week Tech Expo
Featuring major bike manufacturers, small niche frame-makers, tires, soft goods and more. Takes place in Mt. Crested Butte for easy access to CBMR’s vast network of trails. Special discounted tickets from CBMR for demo opportunities.
www.ftbw.com/expo
June 25 – 27, 2010: Aided Rides
New for 2010, experience the majority of Crested Butte’s legendary single track with the assistance of shuttles and support along the way. Aid includes supplies, food, drinks, an easy out, and shuttle support. Rides include Snodgrass, 403, 401, Deadman’s, Dr.’s, Upper/Upper, Strand, Dear Creek and more.
www.ftbw.com/ride
June 25: Chainless Race
A Crested Butte classic. This costume-encouraged, townie-geared coast down Kebler Pass is a true test of grit. Finish on Elk Avenue. Race starts at 4 p.m. After party begins at 4 p.m. on Elk Ave. and 1st. Awards at 5:30 p.m.
www.ftbw.com/race
June 26: Fat Tire 40
The Fat Tire 40 features an epic 40-plus mile course on legendary Crested Butte singletrack. This year’s race is a USA Cycling-sanctioned event for Pros, CAT 1s and the Wild-CAT class, however anyone can ride. Entry fee is $50. USA Cycling temporary membership fee is $10. Register early to avoid on-site registration fee of $10.
www.racemsc.com/events/wildflowerrush.html
June 26: Free Concert – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Karl Denson’s style crosses cultural and generational boundaries with a unique mix of soul, rock, funk, blues and jazz. This free show takes place in the CBMR base area beginning at 7:30 p.m. following the Wildflower Rush race wrap-up.
www.ftbw.com/crested-butte-bike-festival
June 26 – 27: Bridges of the Butte 24-Hour Townie Tour
No ordinary 24-hour tour, Bridges of the Butte loops through downtown Crested Butte, and highlights the town’s bridges. Ride solo or as part of a team. Townie bikes and costumes are required. Riders are encouraged to collect pledges for prize eligibility. Prizes include a 2011 Ride the Rockies spot, a 2010-2011 CBMR Gold Pass, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the Adaptive Sports Center.
www.ftbw.com/race
The chairlifts at Crested Butte Mountain Resort will be spinning throughout the summer for a variety of hiking and biking options. On Saturday, June 19th the Red Lady Express and Silver Queen Express lifts will open for the summer season. The Silver Queen takes hikers just below the iconic peak of Mt. Crested Butte while the Red Lady Express whisks mountain bikers to the top of the resort’s network of single track with access to the new Origins Bike Park. The Silver Queen will operate daily for hiking only through September 6. The Red Lady Express will operate daily for both hiking and biking through August 15, then weekends only August 21 through September 6. The Silver Queen and Red Lady Express each operate from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily with the last chair downloading at 2:45 p.m.