If you’re into downhill mountain biking and having fun, there’s no reason to not sign up for this weekend’s second annual Shifting Gears mountain bike race.
That’s the message from Stefanie Hendrickson, operations co-ordinator for the Williams Lake and District Boys and Girls Club.
“It’s a non-competitive, family-friendly, fun mountain bike ride,” Hendrickson said. “Two years ago we changed from an annual golf tournament to this mountain biking event. We felt this would be more inclusive and would keep with the values of the Boys and Girls Club.”
The ride, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30 beginning at 10 a.m., is the WLBGC’s largest annual fundraiser and helps fund the non-profit organization’s after school care programs throughout the year.
At last year’s event, 75 riders attended. Hendrickson said they hope, based on the success of the inaugural race, this year’s participation continues to grow.
Shifting Gears has riders descend the Westsyde Trail Network’s ‘Snakes and Ladders’ before meeting up with and heading down “Spokey Hollow.” Following the race riders can then head to Boitanio Park for a barbecue and draw prize presentations.
“It’s just a simple barbecue with hot dogs and hamburgers, and that will start at about 11:30 a.m.,” Hendrickson said. “People can come and gather, we’ll do it right by the Boitanio Bike Park, so if they want to bring their bikes or little kids to come down and join in on the fun they’re more than welcome to do so.”
Riders are scheduled to meet at the top of Snakes and Ladders at 10 a.m. for the race start time. Anyone not familiar with where the trail begins is asked to be at the Boys and Girls Club, located at 17 Fourth Ave. South, at 9:30 a.m. to be shuttled to the race.
Hendrickson said anyone on the fence about registering is more than welcome to call and ask questions about the course at 250-392-5730.
“If you’ve ridden off road then you’re probably OK,” she said. “It’s kind of an intermediate-level trail. Our youngest kids that went last year were about 10 years old. We’ll have trail monitors all the way down and we’ve got about 40 volunteers helping monitor and to do first aid.”
The cost to register in Shifting Gears is $10 per rider or $25 per family.
Registration forms are available at Red Shred’s Bike and Board Shed, the WLBGC office or online at www.bgcwilliamslake.com.