Grand Junction off road, the high desert party for mountain bikers!

by Felix Burke

On the western side of the Colorado Rockies sits the city of Grand Junction. This town of about 60 000 people has made a name for itself as a mountain biking destination by offering some fast and technical single-track at a stone’s throw from downtown. It is obvious why thousands of avid mountain bikers will flock to town for the second round of the epic ride series.

The epic rides series stops at 6 locations throughout the summer and offers the best experience possible for its participants. By designing courses that highlight the area’s best trails, bringing in live music and parties to make the weekend more exciting, and by offering a cash prize to attract the country’s top pros, the epic rides crew have done a great job delivering happiness and spreading the gospel of mountain biking.

At the last stop, the Whiskey 50 in Prescott, Ariz., Keegan Swenson took the win in the men’s race while Kate Courtney took the women’s race. With both of these riders at the World Cup in Albstatd this weekend, the Grand Junction Off-Road will course will reward a new pair of winners. Who will have what it takes?

Race weekends mean hotel room work shoops

Testing out the singletrack in Colorado

Cruising back to the hotel

Post ride meal and recover. Busy life of a racer

Full set up for Grand Junction Off-Road

Unique set-up required for the fat tire crit

Another unique local set up

Sun setting on Grand Junction

Russell Finsterwald, second place finisher at the Whiskey 50 and recently crowned USA marathon national champ will be the favorite for the men’s race. Alexis Skarda seems to be on form to win the women’s race, although she will be tightly matched against Sofia Gomez Villafane and Katerina Nash can never be ruled out. It should be quite the showdown.

The pro short-track race will take place on Friday night in downtown Grand Junction and the main event, the Grand Junction Off Road 40 mile race will take place on Sunday.