Alberta Downhill Provincial Champs: This Weekend!

Aug 22, 2011

Add to my Favorites

The final stop to the Alberta Cup series is here. For the first time in 8 years, the 2011 Alberta Downhill Provincial Championships will be held at Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer. The hill is approximately 10 minutes out of the city and is the biggest non-mountain lift accessed track in Alberta. We have 517 feet of vertical and over 3000 feet of track. That makes this hill almost 100 feet taller than Kamloops' Bike Ranch. Look forward to a variety of terrain including; tight forest single-track, switchbacks, path gaps, jumps, and rock gardens all on Alberta's longest race course. There will be over $1500 in payouts for the Elite men, Jr. Expert men and the fastest racers. Expect lots of great prizing from Loaded Precision Products, Ambers Brewing, Pinkbike.com, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, and home town shop Wreckless Bikes.

Soon to be expo/team pit area

Registration is $70 online and $80 at the hill. Lift tickets for both days are included in the price!

Register online at zone4.ca until Thursday August 25th.

$10 day license will be available for any non licensed racers.

Here's a sneak peak at the brand new course:

You need to upgrade your Flash Player
Click here to install it

Views:2888 Faves:24 Comments:6 Add to my Favorites

Schedule
Friday August 26th
5-8pm Course open for walking only
5-8pm Registration Open in Lodge

Saturday, August 27th
9am-3pm Registration Open in Lodge
10am-5pm Course open for Practice
2-5pm Timed practice runs (Mandatory 2 runs)

Sunday August 28th
9am Racer check in and pre-race meeting
9am-12:00pm Practice. (Mandatory 2 runs)
12:30pm Race time
3pm Awards presentation at Expo Area

This will be a U13 event!

Hard strapped for cash?
There is $1500 in cash to give away to the Elites, Jr. Experts and Fastest times. Be the fastest rider down the hill and you could be walking away with up to $600 in cold hard cash! Not too bad for a weekend of ripping on your bike!

Team Pits
Please contact Deanne or Michelle Coish before or on race day to secure your team pit spot at the bottom of the hill. Spots are limited so first come, first serve.

Thanks to all our sponsors
McLellan Inspection, Canyon Ski Resort, Wreckless Bikes, Loaded Precision Products, Amber's Brewery, Rocky Mountain Bicycles and Pinkbike.com

Here's how you get to Alberta's Largest Non-Mountain Resort.

Thanks to David Tronnes and Trevor Leblanc for the video!

Any questions email Deanne Coish at deannec@telus.net

Must Read This Week

1. Why No Y? 52538 reads
2. At Home With Sam Hill 35503 reads
3. Fabien Barel presents #1 - At home and on dirt with Cam Zink 30514 reads
4. "In Good Company" - A film about the importance of mountain biking to a community 29199 reads
5. Movies for Your Monday 28118 reads
6. Graham Agassiz's New Zealand Adventure 26040 reads
7. Ian Morrison, meet Steve Smith - Video 23826 reads
8. Anticipation Pt. 2 - Early season shredding in the Whistler Bike Park - Video 22342 reads

33 Comments

Score Time

tabletop666 (Aug 22, 2011 at 19:51)

I've never done a race in my life, always wanted to, but never had the chance. It just happens im not working for this and its relatively close. Is anyone allowed to show up and race, or is there some sort of special requirements? Im 26, been riding for years, have a full face, etc... am I good to go?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 20:08)

You can purchase a day license from the ABA for $10 and race. Just need a full face helmet. Complete tech guide is here: http://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/uploads/files/Canyon%20DH%20Provincials%20Tech%20Guide.pdf

[Reply]

tuboy95 Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 10:25)

haha funny how its the biggest in alberta when GP's hill has 525ft of vertical...http://gonitehawk.com/activities/mountain-biking/

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 25, 2011 at 19:48)

I have one source telling me Canyon is 517 feet and another telling me it's 540 feet. When you see it you will realize it's big regardless.

[Reply]

stever (Aug 19, 2011 at 13:46)

Cool D, nice to see some footage/pics of this new track. Looks like a long pedal off the start. Any chance of getting some more pics of that gap jump?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 19, 2011 at 13:54)

I should be able to get some more pictures of people hitting it on Sunday. Brennen is my guinea pig if it's actually landable. That post coming up is my height so it should make it a pretty decent gap.

I was going to start it right about the opening of the trees but the kids wanted to "optimize our vertical" so I started it right from the chairlift. Should separate the racers that are in shape and the ones relying on gravity. You can coast because it's all downhill but you'll definitely have to pedal if you want to win.

stever (Aug 19, 2011 at 14:02)

Well, I've been going to my spin classes diligently. Let's hope it pays. Might have to consider switching my flat pedals out for clipless.

Looking forward to seeing video the guinea pigging of the gap. It will definitely be helpful to those of use who are less aerially-skilled. Wink

stever (Aug 19, 2011 at 14:10)

Oh, one little thing. I think you had posted in one of the forums information about accommodations/camping, but I don't have access to the forums from my computer at work (forums are restricted), so if you put it in this blog, I'm sure it would help more people than just myself Wink

t3rry Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 14:38)

Thought you guys weren't heading out on Sunday! I totally would have been there. Frown

[Reply]

dr-rock (Aug 22, 2011 at 19:55)

Looks good. Any chance this trail might be rideable after the weekend? ....wishful thinking I know.

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 20:07)

Unfortunately the insurance only covers the weekend and canyon won't have it open. As long as this race goes well I plan on making Canyon a regular race spot in Alberta.

[Reply]

d-man (Aug 22, 2011 at 14:30)

great to see Canyon back on the race scene. i never understood why there was one race there many years ago and then nothing...

[Reply]

rockymountainrider14 (Aug 23, 2011 at 12:01)

ok so wheres this gap that i keep hearing about? is it in the video?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 16:29)

There's a video of Kyle Johnson hitting the gap on the Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/148457035199808/

[Reply]

Squid321 (Aug 22, 2011 at 12:35)

Hey dose it matter how old i am to get into it or can i get in i'm 14?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 12:42)

We're allowing racers as young at 11 to race. You would be racing in the U15 Category. If you don't have an ABA license you'll need to purchase a Day license for $10

Squid321 (Aug 22, 2011 at 15:22)

Would i be able to ride a hardtail? i broke my soft Frown

nothingbetter (Aug 22, 2011 at 17:49)

you can ride whichever bike you want.

Squid321 (Aug 22, 2011 at 18:06)

Would it be okay if i did not ride with a full or do i have to?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 18:12)

I just messaged my race official to see it it is ok. All I know is you have to wear a full face helmet.

Squid321 (Aug 22, 2011 at 20:28)

Okay good to know hope to come out for the weekend and race!

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 21:04)

Hardtail and a full face helmet should you dare! Just so you know you can't hit the big drop as a U15. Fix the big bike and prepare to hit it next year!

[Reply]

NICKETTO (Aug 22, 2011 at 23:44)

can you register on site? or does it have to be online?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 16:25)

Onsite Registration is from 5-8 on Friday and from 10-5 Saturday. You will be charged an extra $10 for late registration and you will have to pay cash.

[Reply]

NICKETTO (Aug 22, 2011 at 23:44)

can you register on site? or does it have to be online?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 10:12)

You can register Friday 5-8 and Saturday 9-2. You will be paying an extra $10 for late registration though. Cash only on site as well.

Squid321 (Aug 23, 2011 at 10:51)

and when can we walk the track and when can we ride?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 16:23)

The Course is open from 5-8 for walking only and Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday practice starts at 9am racing at 12:30

[Reply]

jaycubzz (Aug 23, 2011 at 16:15)

Are spectators allowed?

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 16:25)

You bet! Come cheer the racers down the hill. If you don't want to walk up the hill you can purchase a spectator chair lift ticket for $5 for the weekend

Squid321 (Aug 23, 2011 at 18:08)

Just got my full face the only thing i'm not pumped for is that i have to do it on a hardtail but better then not even riding

deannec Mod Plus (Aug 23, 2011 at 18:27)

If people can race golden on a hard tail you can race this on a hard tail... just might hurt a little more!

Squid321 (Aug 23, 2011 at 22:01)

Well i might not have to anymore i'm going to get ride of my dirtbike and my hard just so i can do this!

[Reply]