Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — It’s a give-and-take situation.

At this point last year, mountain bikers had been on trails for a couple of weeks, praying for warm weather and no more moisture.

Now, in a record-breaking summer, those riders have been on trails for close to three months. But with that experience come dry trails, dust and the dreaded heat.

So as riders prep for the third race in the Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series, today’s Epic Emerald cross-country, dry trails and heat are the main factors.

“Bring your bandanas,” race Director Kate Warnke said.

The race, which begins at 5:25 p.m. with youth divisions and 6 p.m. with adult divisions, differs from the first race on Emerald this year.

This one is longer, answering the calls of many riders. It’s still the classic up-and-down ride but will feature several extra miles.

All races start in front of the concrete grandstands at Brent Romick Rodeo Arena.

The pro/open, expert and singlespeed classes climb the Bluffs Loop to Ricky’s Ridge, Lupine, Little Moab, Blair Witch, Quarry Mountain and Root Canal. It descends Stairway to Heaven, Abbey’s, Hudson’s, Blair Witch, Prayer Flag Road, Larry’s, MGM, Eye to Eye, Orton Trail, Blackmer Drive and Long John and then goes back to lower Lupine via the lower stock pond and down Upper Bluffs before crossing the parking lot by the horse stables and finishing back in the rodeo arena.

All sport, novice and youth divisions ride an abbreviated course.

The pro course is 12.2 miles, the sport classification and youths ages 16 to 18 ride 10.3 miles and the novice group rides 8.5 miles.

“The trails are still in great shape,” said Trevor Walz, who rode the course Tuesday morning and likely will battle for the top spot today. “They’re rougher and dryer. But it’s super fast. You don’t have to worry about washing out on the trails at all.”

Warnke said there are 140 riders registered. Day-of registration begins at 4:30 p.m. today.

The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children.

For more information or complete trail descriptions and maps, visit www.townchallenge.com.

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday