Weekend preview: Downhills and family festivals
Downhill calendar steps up while Canmore hosts cross country nationals
Canadian cross country nationals take place in Canmore, Alta on Saturday, so the skinnier tired side of mountain biking is rather quiet this weekend. The DH crowd makes up for that, filling the calendar with a Canada Cup in Fernie, Island Cup at the recently re-opened Mt. Washington and a full complement of events at The Big Pig mountain bike festival in Prince George, B.C.
Canada Cup DH #3 / BC Cup – Fernie, B.C.
After round #2 of the four stop Canada Cup Downhill series rolled through Silver Star mountain resort last weekend, the series kicks off the second half of the season this weekend not too far away in Fernie, B.C. the Kootenay round brings more steep tracks and big mountains before racers gear up for finals in August.
Hugo Langevin (Devinci Development Racing) has two wins already, and will be looking to seal the series in Fernie. Langevin beat out Chris Kovarik (Kovarik Racing) and Jonathan Lefrancois in Elite Men in Silver Star, while Sooke, B.C.’s Piper Allman claimed the Elite Women’s win last roud ahead of Ainhoa Ijurko and Laurie Citynski (Intense Graviti Driven).
Big Pig Mountain Bike Festival – Prince George, B.C.
Northern B.C.’s biggest mountain bike festival brings a full weekend of events to Prince George. From Friday to Sunday, there’s shuttles, rides, and races for kids and adults alike. There’s cross country enduro, relay and kids racing on Saturday. On Sunday, gravity takes hold for the Downhill and Four-Cross races. BLMBA hosts the weekend on the Kager Lake trail network. More info on the Big Pig here.
Island Cup DH #2: Helter Skelter DH – Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island
The Island Cup series is hosting three Downhill races in 2018 and, after Cumberland launched the series with the DCDH back in early May, the series resumes this weekend at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. After a few years off the scene, Mount Washington has brought lift-accessed riding back to the Island for the last two summers. The resort, located just outside Courtenay, B.C., will host two races this summer. After Helter Skelter, the Island Cup series returns to the resort for the second annual Stevie Smith Downhill on 16-17 September.
FestivAllezY – East Hereford, Estrie, Que.
FestivAllezY Jean D’Avignon describes itself as a three day party of pure mountain biking. With three days of events, your FestivAllezY rides can range from shuttles and big group rides to a marathon cross country race on the 2017 XCM national course. There’s also craft beer tasting and a big spaghetti dinner to keep you busy off the bike after your ride.
