Mountain States Cup Combines with Crested Butte Fat Tire Festival

July 22nd, 2010 10:49am

It is a big weekend for all disciplines at MSC #4, Wildflower Rush. Cross country racers will have 40 miles of challenging singletrack to test their endurance; gravity racers will compete for the coveted Colorado State Championship title in downhill and four cross; and super d contestants will have an all-new course for 2010. This year, the Wildflower Rush is being held in conjunction with Crested Butte's Fat Tire Bike Week, so come up early and enjoy some of the other activities taking place in Crested Butte.

XC AND THE FAT TIRE 40

The Pro and CAT 1 cross country racers are going to be treated to an epic course! CAT 2/3 and Junior 14 & under will have a proportionately amazing course with quality singletrack and plenty of climbing. However, if you're looking for an old school, big-mileage cross country course with miles of amazing singletrack and climbing that will make your legs quiver, then the Fat Tire 40 course is for you! Come prepared with plenty of WATER and trail food. The winning pro time will be in the 3:15 to 3:30 mark, and riders may be on course up to 6 hours. If you have a friend who likes to ride big mileage but doesn't have an annual USA Cycling license, then the "Wild Cat" category, brought to you by the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce, is for them!

There will be two feed stations and two bail-out opportunities for those you can't muster the entire 40 mile course. For more course information and a map visit racemsc.com and crankcollective.com.

No matter what category or course you are racing in, plan on HOT and DRY conditions. Temperatures are projected to be in the upper 70's and lower 80's.

SUPER D

The all-new course will start in the same area at the top of the Red Lady Express chairlift.
Race director's notes: "It will have a Leman's start to a double track power climb then a sweet roller to another small power climb followed by a left turn onto the "LUGE". This is a fun, fast, flowing singletrack that is quite wide and I'm sure a few passes will be made. This dumps you onto a road that descends for a short spell and then flattens out. After a sharp left hand turn you will have a short power climb 75 to 100 yards to Westside Trail, a singletrack that will bring you to a double track that brings you to the finish line via a short slightly ascending climb. I’d recommend goggles and a face mask as it is going to be a dusty one if you’re not out front leading the race."

DOWNHILL / MOUNTAIN CROSS

Downhill and mountain cross are the 2010 Colorado State Championships. State Championship jerseys and medals will be awarded in each downhill class. The downhill course is the same as the 2009 course with a few added rock gardens and a new finishing area with a man made wooden step down. The trail crew up here at Mt. Crested Butte has put in quite a few hours improving the track and it is riding great! The mountain cross course is all new this year. It will be in the same area as last year, however we have made numerous changes to allow for more passing and better racing. Again we will be using the new format, which eliminates the need for qualifying and allows you to race a minimum of four heats.