Race Report: Bootleg Bikefest and Rumhead Enduro

Wow, what a weekend! Leading up to the big event all eyes were on the weather as the number of registered riders continued to steadily climb. Mother Nature did not disappoint, giving the Crowsnest Pass a beautiful rain shower on the Friday before the event. This set up for perfect trail conditions for all the upcoming weekend activities.


Racers began filing in Friday night, setting up camp for the weekend surrounded by beautiful views at the Pass Powderkeg Ski Lodge in Blairmore. Clear skies were on order Saturday morning as the festival site started buzzing with events tents being set up, demo bikes getting last minute tweaks, and racers preparing to pre-ride the course. But this weekend wasn't all about the racers. There was a strong presence by Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, and Brok'n'Spoke bike shop, who all brought full racks of the latest demo bikes. The crowds kept the demo tents busy all day with many riders sampling what might be their next years ride. Pass Powderkeg Ski Hill offered the perfect venue with lots of great singletrack trails right off the edge of the parking lot.


Kids and families were right in the action on Saturday as well. There was a kids skills camp hosted by Sweet Riders very own Karey Wantanabe, and a kids bike race sponsored by The Old Dairy Ice Cream Shoppe which meant that everyone was a winner. A family scavenger hunt was organized by the Boys and Girls club of Crowsnest Pass. Morning group rides were planned for anyone who wanted a guided tour of the trails in Crowsnest Pass.


The racer meeting was held at 2:30 to lay out the plan for the first Enduro stage of the weekend, Berma-Grin, a fast technical flow trail easily accessed from the bike festival site. The course was open from 3-6pm, but with the BBQ starting at 5pm, racers didn't delay in rocketing down the track. Berma-Grin was lined with cheering spectators eager to see the racers put on a good show. Not everyone came away unscathed, but the local search and rescue was onsite to help pick up the pieces. Adrenalin flows high with that many people cheering the racers on.


With Stage 1 wrapped up, and hot lap times set, it was time for the night to shift gears. Food was served and beverages were poured as everyone settled into the relaxed evening atmosphere. All of the draw prizes were handed out on Saturday night and I think everyone walked away with something. There was so much stuff to give away that all the racers, and all the volunteers were each drawn at least once. It is amazing to see the generosity of local businesses and the bike community who offered up so much support of this event. Some racers eager to conquer Sunday's four stages headed out for more riding, while others settled into the social nature of stories around a camp-fire.


As the sun rose on Sunday, all eyes were on the Enduro. Sunday's four stages were a far cry from the manicured rollers and berms of the day before. After an 8:45 racer meeting, riders headed out for a mass start up the York Creek road to York with a Fork, the most physical stage of the day. York with a Fork consisted of a long rolling pedal before finally conceding to a sustained tight technical downhill, strewn with rocks and switchbacks. All racers were catching their breath as they pedalled towards a well stocked aid station, refuelling before heading up to the next stage.


School of Rock was the second stage of the day. A local favorite, it mixes flat out flowing singletrack with choose your own adventure rock sections. Racers had to keep some gas in the tank as they entered the clear cut for the sprint into the second part of the stage Pineapple Express, a seemingly endless series of tight off camber turns, that keeps you on your toes. Another well stocked aid station, and racers were climbing again.

Stage 4, Sooper Trooper, is probably the most fun you can have on two wheels. A mix of flow, jumps, stunts and berms, had riders grinning as they hit the end. One more quick and dirty climb up to the last trail of the day.


Groups of spectators were beginning to gather at the finish of Whistling Post, the final short, but intense stage of the day. Everyone was waiting to see their friends/husbands/wives/partners sprint through the last technical rock littered rollers of the day. After high fives were thrown, riders pedalled back to the start finish area to see the live results on the TV that the expert timing team, Zone4, had provided.


Competition was tight all weekend, but there was a great sense of camaraderie amongst all the racers. The relaxed feeling led to more than one ride remarking that this was the most fun they have had all year racing their bikes. Sadly, only the top three in each category get to stand on top of the podium. Awards were handed out after the last racers came in, and surprisingly people didn't just rush into their vehicles to head home. Many stayed around and discussed if their paths would cross again at any other bike events this summer.

The weekend was a huge success on every level. The festival was great, the support was huge, the volunteers were spot on with all their responsibilities, timing was seamless and good times were had by all the racers. United Riders Of Crowsnest (UROC) is already looking forward to bringing this event back next year and hopefully for many years to come. Thanks to all of our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, racers and spectators, you helped make this weekend the huge success that it was. All proceeds from this event will be funding more trails in the Crowsnest Pass area, something our club is very proud to say.

Hope to see you back on our trails soon!

40+ Women:
1. Willy Peters 27:54.1

40+ Men:
1. Steve Atkinson 24:21.0
2. Terry Lazier 25:08.4
3. Graham Pye 25:36.4

Open Women:
1. Karey Wantanabe 25:47.3
2. Christine Misseghers 27:01.9
3. Aubrey Demchuck 28:14.6

Open Men:
1. Matt Li 24:09.6
2. Matt Hennig 24:29.5
3. Casey Dyck 25:15.4

Elite Men:
1. Darcy Neniska 21:10.2
2. Shane Jensen 21.32.3
3. Gord Yanota 22:02.7

Full Results are available here.

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The Rumhead Enduro and Bootleg Bikefest is proudly supported by:


For more information about biking in Crowsnest Pass please visit our website and Facebook page. For more photos from the weekend, visit the album.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Race Reports