5th Annual – “Race to the River”

 2013 Race to the River:  Technical Guide

  July 20th and 21st, 2013

 The Bikehawks Mountain Bike Club in conjunction with Nitehawk Recreation Area, are proud to present the Fifth annual Race to the River, an Alberta Bicycle Association sanctioned event.

Register online at   ZONE4.CA

 
The Race

 Once again we are the season opener downhill event for the Alberta Bicycle Association DH series, and you can look forward to a weekend of fun, sun, and the most lift accessed vertical in Alberta.  Course prep is on schedule, and racers can look forward to a variety of terrain including; tight forest single-track, switchbacks, drops, jumps, and a rock garden all twisted into a great launch to the 2013 season.

This year, instead of a fourcross, we are spending a good chunk of Saturday on seeding runs.  This will give everyone a better idea of their race times, and keep that race vibe for more than your single race run.  To cap things off Nitehawk is also holding a steak supper Saturday evening, after the Upchuck fest on the WATER RAMP!

The youngsters in the crowd will be happy to hear we are offering the U13 class again.

The Place

 Nitehawk Recreation area is located 15km south of Grande Prairie, Alberta on the banks of the Wapiti river. With the hot July sun expected, guests should look forward to onsite camping, chilling in the shade, taking the short drive to O’Brian park to soak in the river, or enjoying the many amenities the region has to offer. At 450km north of Edmonton on Highway 43, it’s a solid road trip, well worth the drive.

Check out the Ride Guide segment on the Nitehawk bike park.

Directions

From Edmonton:

Travel West on hiway 16 to hiway 43, approx. 45Km

Turn north onto hiway 43. Follow approx. 430km to Grande Prairie.

Travel south on hiway 43 into Grande Prairie turn west (right) at 116 Ave

Follow through town (on the bypass) as 116 ave. turns into hiway 40.

Follow hiway 40 approx. 15km south of Grande Prairie, across the wapiti river bridge

Turn first right toward Grovedale, first left at the T-intersection and follow highway up hill approximately 3km

Nitehawk Recreation Area is on the right hand side of the road.

From Hinton:

Travel North on hiway 40 approximately 310Km.

Turn right toward Grovedale at bottom of Wapiti river Valley, before wapiti river bridge.

Follow up hill approximately 3km

Nitehawk Recreation Area is on the right hand side of the road

Registration

 Registration is only at Zone4.ca until July 19 at 23:59. Late registration fee will apply after July 16 at 23:59.

 All classes are $60, except U13, which is $40. Add $10 for late registration.

Race day lift pass and Sunday buffet style breakfast in the chalet are included in registration fee.

 All racers must hold a valid 2013 ABA membership as well as a daily lift pass.

Day licenses are available for $10.

 Saturday lift pass for racers are $17, and is not included in registration.

 Water Ramp passes are $15, and must be pre-purchased. If there are not sufficient pre-registrations, the water ramp will be cancelled.

 Extra Sunday buffet breakfast vouchers are available for $9.

 Saturday breakfast sandwiches and hashbrowns will be offered. Barbeque will be going during lift hours Saturday and Sunday for burgers.

 Steak supper cost is $15, and is not included in registration.

 All vouchers/extras are available at time of Zone4 registration.

Schedule

The hill will be open Friday from 17:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 17:00. Seeding will be from 12:00 to 16:30.   Water Ramp will be open Saturday from 16:30 to 18:30. Racers can check in Friday night upon arrival.

Race day schedule as follows:

             Saturday

            9:00                           Breakfast
          10:00                          Racer check in and pre-race meeting
          10:30 – 16:30         Seeding/ open practice
          16:30 – 18:30         Fourword Bike and Board Upchuck Fest Water 
                                                Ram jam session
          18:30                          Steak supper in the group camping area

            Sunday

            8:30                            Breakfast (Buffet: French Toast, Bacon, Sausage, Eggs &
                                                 Hashbrowns)
           10:00                         Pre-race meeting
           10:00 – 11:30         Practice. 
           12:00                         Ernies Sports Experts Race to the River
         ~15:00                        Awards presentation at chalet

Categories

 U13                
 U15 
 U17    
 Junior
 Senior                       
 Masters A     
 Masters B     
 Elite               

Men’s and Women’s, Sport and expert classes apply to all categories, except Elite. In an effort to maximize competition, classes may be merged based on registration numbers. ABA series points will be issued according to how you register, but racers may be grouped with other classes and/or categories for the race.  Day license holders are eligible for sport class only.

Awards

Trophies and/or prizes to the top three in each category with 100% payout awarded to downhill elite racers.

Accommodations

For those interested in camping, Nitehawk has a fully serviced RV park on site. The group area has been reserved once again for a cost of $25 per unit per night and offers powered, watered stalls, a large common area for cooking and relaxing, a playground, and a group fire pit.  Fully serviced, private stalls are also available for standard rates. Be sure to mention the race when booking to ensure preferred rates.  Call 780.532.6637 Mon. to Fri., 9:00 to 17:00 to reserve.

For those who prefer hotels, the Stanford Inn is a friend of Nitehawk, Call 780.539.5678 or www.StanfordHospitality.com for reservations.  Be sure to mention Nitehawk.

Contact 

For more information Contact us at:
Bikehawks@gmail.com 
Kenton @ 780.402.1377,
Tyson @ 780.876.7009

Check out http://gonitehawk.com for trail map and more information