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14 top notch events to put on your calendar for 2018

From Quebec to the B.C. coast, these mountain bike races are not to be missed

If you’re looking for a way to challenge yourself this year, or just to experience new singletrack in a different town, look at these Canadian mountain bike races for 2018. Entering a mountain bike race can be a great way to push your fitness, to ride somewhere new, and to meet new people all at the same time. From single day team events, to six day stage races, and gravity fed enduro races, here’s 12 of Canada’s best races to try out in 2018.  Two of these events are already sold out, but are still included so you don’t miss them again in 2019.

 

Enduro

Enduro-Maaxx – Bromont, Que.
June 2018
While most enduro events take place in B.C., Enduro-Maaxx brings the format to the rugged, rocky slopes of Quebec. Maaxx Events hosted a Canadian National Enduro Series round in 2017, which they’re scheduled to bring back this year, and puts on a women’s only enduro, plus the B-Maaxx DH series, so if you’re looking to race downhill out east, keep tabs on their page for details.

The Gryphon & Hot on Your Heels – Squamish, B.C.
June 2nd, 2018
The Gryphon winds its way through the best of Squamish’s extensive slabs, rooty steeps, and perfect berms. This course does not shy away from the harder trails, but there will be a short course offered in 2018. The same organizers also put on Hot On Your Heels, a women’s only enduro that sells out well in advance of race day every year. Registration for the Gryphon opens March 1st. Watch Squamish Enduro’s website for HOYH registration.

Trans BC Enduro
July 9th to 14th, 2018
With six days of intense stages and big climbs (Trans BC averages more than 1000 m of elevation a day), this is a race to work your way up to, not a first time enduro. The big climbs are demanding, but rewarded with incredible alpine views and a carefully selected list of some of B.C.’s best trails. Trans B.C. is sold out for 2018, but you can still put your name on the waitlist for this year. Look for 2019 sign up in mid-October.

Endurance races

Salty Dog Enduro – Salmon Arm, B.C.
May 11-13, 2018
The Salty Dog Enduro has been running as a 6-hour endurance race since 2001, making it one of the older remaining events in the Canadian cycling calendar. It’s survived in its home above Salmon Arm’s shores for so long by being a fun, team relay (or solo) event on an amazing network of trails. There’s a whole weekend of events planned around the race to make your trip to the Shuswap’s more fun.

Giver 6 Er – Canmore Nordic Centre, AB
June 3rd (tentative)
Held in the shadow of Canmore’s Three Sisters, the trio of peaks overlooking Canmore Nordic Centre, this six hour race offers solo, two person, and three person team categories. This leaves you to decide whether you want to spend more time riding the trails of Canmore Nordic Centre or taking in the view while you’re teammates are out racing. Stay tuned to Deadgoat Racing for details.

Roots, Rocks and Reggae Summer Epic 8 Hour
July 15th – Hardwood Ski and Bike, ON
Hardwood is usually home to high paced racing, but this longer format event encourages more fun, friends, and casual atmosphere than the usual 90min XCO event. Put together a team to train for the events 5th edition in 2018.

Golden Two-Four – Golden B.C.
June 16-17th, 2018
24 hours riding on Golden’s well tended trail networks? What more could you ask for? 25 hours? 26 hours? Don’t be silly, just find a team and register for this event. Or find a pit crew, and race solo.

RELATED: Pick a target event to meet your fitness goals this year

XC Marathon

The Coaster 50 – Sechelt, B.C.
May 5th, 2018
Formerly known as the Sunshine Coaster, The Coaster 50 follows flowing singletrack through the coastal forests above Sechelt, on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. There’s also a 21 km option for anyone not up to the full 50 km distance.

Sp’akw’us 50 – Squamish, B.C.
June 16-17, 2018
Successor to the storied Test of Metal race, Sp’akw’us 50 is focused on showcasing as many of Squamish’s world class trails as possible in 50km. New for 2018, Spakwus will offer a shorter, 35 km route as well as a two day option. Registration opens January 15th, and the 600 available entries sold out last year.

Nimby 50 – Pemberton, B.C.
May 26th, 2018
Registration opens February 15th at 4:20pm, which gives you some indication of the laid back atmosphere of this event. Don’t let the cheeky registration time fool you, though, because once you’re on course this is a hard race, physically and technically. Nimby 50 squeezes 1300 m of climbing into 37km of Pemberton’s steep, dusty trails, and attracts a strong field every year. The event counts Cory Wallace and Max Plaxton as winners. Beat them to win the race and your entry is free for life, should you want to race it again.

Stage Races

Singletrack 6 – Interior B.C.
July 28th – August 2nd, 2018
Transrockies Events nomadic race migrates through the B.C. interior to different locations every year, making Singletrack 6 an event worth returning to year after year. For 2018, the race rolls through the Columbia mountains, hitting Golden, Revelstoke and Vernon along the way. If you’re not sure you want to take on six full days of racing right away, the Singletrack 3 option lets you relax after the first three days.

Quebec Singletrack Experience
August 4-10, 2018
Quebec Singletrack Experience is a new arrival on the mtb stage race scene, but draws on the provinces decades of experience at the highest levels of mountain bike racing. As part of the race, you will pass through Mont Sainte-Anne, home to the longest running World Cup course on the circuit. But that’s only one of seven days racing beautiful singletrack, all based out of historic Quebec City.

RELATED: 5 Lessons Learned at the Quebec Singletrack Experience

B.C. Bike Race
July 6-18th, 2018
BCBR has built up an international reputation as a stage race that quickly turns into a traveling community. Over eight days, racers travel from Duncan on Vancouver Island to Whistler, B.C., tackling some of the provinces best singletrack along the way. BCBR is sold out for 2018, but if you want part of the experience or want to scout out the course for 2019, several stages can be previewed through other single day races. Check out Coal Town Classic, part of the Island Cup Series for a preview of the Cumberland stage. It follows that years BCBR course.