The Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium and the Williams Lake Cycling Club are inviting everyone in the community to celebrate mountain biking in the Cariboo at the Fifth Annual Peel Out Mountain Bike Festival.
Justin Calof, executive director with the CMBC, said registration is going well and final preparations are being made to the newly-designed Boitanio Bike Park for the event, scheduled for Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18.
Saturday’s festivities showcase the Outlaw Invitational Race, starting at 2 p.m. The lakecity’s top riders were given an opportunity to sign up for the race, and Calof said so far 42 riders have registered.
“We can take 50 for that race,” Calof said, noting a few people are vying for wildcard spots via a CMBC Facebook contest.
Sunday, May 18, features the Boitanio Bike Park Jam, the Peel Out Super Enduro and the Peel Out Party.
The park has been completely rebuilt, Calof said, thanks to the efforts of Kyle White, Tyler Keep, and multiple other volunteers.
“They’ve been killing it,” Calof said. “It’s basically a brand new park. There’s a new pump track for time trials, there will be a best trick contest, and then the main event is the jump jam.”
Riders will have an hour or so to ride freestyle in the park while being judged. The top 10 will then square off with each getting an opportunity to choose their best line through the park.
“Whoever creates the best line, style and amplitude will emerge the winner,” Calof said.
Registration for the bike park events will begin at 10 a.m., and a barbecue is planned for noon.
Also at 10 a.m. the Peel Out Super Enduro gets underway. The race will see 30 riders compete in a three-stage enduro format tour of Fox Mountain, beginning and ending in Boitanio Park.
The Peel Out Party (for ages 19 plus) starts at 8 p.m. at the Limelight, featuring the music of Drum and Bell Tower (Brent Morton) and Vancouver-based ska/reggae band Redeye Empire.
Calof added everyone involved is looking forward to the festival.
“It’s all about coming to hang out, watch the events if you want, ride the town and support the businesses that help out,” he said.
Registration for the Outlaw Invitational and the Super Enduro closes on May 13. To sign up visit ridethecariboo.ca/events/peelout.
The CMBC and the WLCC are also hosting a bike park work bee Saturday, weather permitting, and are inviting anyone interested in helping out to come out.