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Steamboat Springs — Mountain bikers can pump their pedals today on a trail new to the Town Challenge racing series.

The Summer "Soulsist" Cross Country race at How--elsen Hill, part of the 2006 Town Chal--lenge ser----ies, will fea----ture the Lupine Loop trail, built last year by the Routt County Riders Bicycle Club.

"We are going to race on the trail for the first time," race director Gretchen Sehler said, noting that the trail is pronounced "loo-pin," after the familiar flower with long, tapering spikes.

Sehler said the race includes four adult courses and three children's courses, beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the children and 6 p.m. for adults. The longest course, for "pro" and "expert" level racers, is more than 11 miles long.

This year's series of eight Town Challenge races began May 24. The races are every other Wednesday evening this summer. Most races take place on Howelsen Hill, Emerald Mountain, or at Steamboat Ski Area. A climb up Buffalo Pass Road is scheduled for late summer.

According to the city of Steamboat Springs, race courses include hill climbs and cross country. Races are open to male and female participants, youths and adults, and recreational and competitive bikers. There are separate age categories for men and women in four skill-level groups: Novice, Sport, Expert and Pro/Semi-Pro.

Course maps can be viewed at the city's Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services office, at 245 Howelsen Park--way.

Steamboat's Town Challenge mountain bike races began in 1989. The Summer "Soulsist" race honors the first day of summer, which is today.

-- To reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203

or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com