The Triple Crown Poker Ride - Nelson, BC - October 3rd

Think you've got what it takes to climb well over 8500 feet in a day? How about if there's some sweet technical singletrack descents thrown in to make it worth your while? This Sunday, October 3rd, NRG Enterprises in Nelson, BC is hosting the upteenth annual Triple Crown. Riding on 3 of Nelson's best trails, each an epic in its own right, this year's Triple Crown is a poker ride.Things get started at NRG - HQ (located in the old brewery building) before climbing up Silver King and Give Out Creek road descending back towards town via Highballer, Placenta Descenta and Wake and Bake. A quick road spin takes riders back into Nelson for a refuelling stop before riding the Vein, a classic, sinewy singletrack more than worthy of its name.

That's not all of it though, as riders making the cut off time (2pm) head onto Paper Bag, another rolling, super technical classic. Best poker hand of the day gets a Surly Instigator frameset, but you've got to finish to win. Things get going at 7am at the brewery, it's an all day affair - pack accordingly!

To ride, you must be a member of the Nelson Cycling Club, a paltry $10 fee and another $10 get you into the "race" with a sweet dinner courtesy of NRG awaits all Triple Crown finishers. In true Nelson style, this one's more of a social event with an emphasis on having fun rather than a hammer fest. The trails offer some of the best classic singletrack with many optional tech and stunted lines punctuated with drops and skinnies.

I'll be there, most likely way off the back on my 40lb hardtail, hope to see you too - no excuses!