Ear to the Ground: Issue 108

News & notes from the outdoor industry

Mt. Shasta trail access to expand

Forty-five miles of new trail is in the works for the Shasta Trinity National Forest. A collaboration between MSMBA (Mt. Shasta Mountain Bike Association), the US Forest Service, and Mount Shasta Trails Association, the proposed Gateway Phase II trail expansion project will open up additional non-motorized recreational opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and horseback riding around the City of Mt. Shasta. Trails will connect to the existing Gateway trail system.

Get details about this Gateway Phase II trail expansion project at fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/108295_FSPLT3_4182120.pdf.

Trails will also link to Mt. Shasta Bike Park which boasts two chairlifts and over 25 miles of trail already developed. Scenic chairlift rides, hiking, disc golf and weddings are also available. The park is currently developing a “Beyond the Boundaries E-bike Experience” program which will introduce riders to a new trail network on Gray Butte. From the bike park base at 5,500′, e-bike enthusiasts will be able to access the top of Gray Butte at 8,129′ via a service road ascent. For the ultimate adventure, riders may reserve a cabin on Gray Butte that accommodates up to eight people. Mt. Shasta Bike Park is scheduled to be open on weekends from June through September.

Learn more about Mt. Shasta Bike Park at skipark.com.

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Carson City Off-Road announces date change to June 28-30

To allow for this winter’s deluge of snowpack to melt, Epic Rides has pushed its Carson City Off-Road mountain bike race out a couple of weeks. The date of this popular three-day mountain bike race and festival has been moved from June 14-16 to June 28-30.

All levels of racers are welcome to participate in this event that offers three course lengths to choose from (15, 30, or 50-ish miles). Riders will take on some of the area’s best trails and roads that boast impressive views of Lake Tahoe, Washoe Valley and the Carson Valley.

Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/carsoncityoffroad2019.

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Wildflower cancelled

Citing “several external circumstances beyond our control,” Wildflower Experience organizers have made “the difficult decision” to cancel its iconic triathlon festival for 2019. Organizers promise a “better than ever” event for 2020, and are offering a priority entry process for 2019 entrants. Full refunds will be made to all of this year’s registrants.

Wildflower has had its share of setbacks. Extreme drought conditions from 2013 through 2016 forced the event to run on an altered course, resulting in decreased participation. Race director Terry Davis put the event “on hold” for 2017 but under new ownership the beloved triathlon festival came back strong with added events in 2018.

Learn more at wildflowerexperience.com.

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California is drought-free for first time since 2011

Winter storms that brought far-above-average rain and snow ended the seven year drought in our Golden State. As we go to press, snowpack in the Sierra is 159 percent above average. Winter resorts throughout the Sierra have announced an extended season.

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Eppie’s Great Race is resurrected as the Great American Triathlon

The World’s Oldest Triathlon may have ended with the 45th running of Eppie’s Great Race, but the tradition of a summertime triathlon on the American River Parkway will continue this July 20th with the inaugural Great American Triathlon. Sponsored by Innovations Health Systems, a Roseville-based healthcare holding company, and managed by Capital Road Race Management, this year’s paddle triathlon will raise funds to support the American River Parkway Foundation and local children’s charities.

Set along the same course and comprised of the same 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile bike ride, and 6.10-mile paddle events as Eppie’s Great Race, the Great American Triathlon is a challenging athletic competition that is as unique as it is fun.

Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/great-american-triathlon.

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Trials Cyclist Danny MacAskill returns to Sea Otter Classic

World-reknowned trials cyclist Danny McAskill will perform with fellow  bicycle ninjas Fabio Wibmer and Duncan Shaw in the Drop and Roll Continental Show at Sea Otter Classic in Monterey April 11-14. Offered all four days at this “Celebration of Cycling,” the Drop and Roll Continental Show promises to inspire and entertain festival attendees with flips, tricks, and crowd participation.

Sea Otter Classic offers a wide range of cycling activities including races, demos, kids’ events, and more. Additionally, this year’s expansive expo will feature over 1,000 brands. Admission is free for ages 12 and under; and parking is also free.

Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/sea-otter-classic-2019.

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“Bike for a Healthy California” license plate coming soon

Be on the lookout for the new “Bike for a Healthy California” license plate for your car, truck, motorcycle, or trailer. Funds support Earn-a-Bike and other school cycling programs, as well as driver and rider “share the road” safety classes, and initiatives that promote bikes as transportation. 7,500 pre-orders are needed to start production.

Look for the “Bike for a Healthy California” license plate at Sea Otter or get more information at adventuresportsjournal.com/bike-healthy-ca-license-plate.

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CES raffles Specialized mountain bikes to benefit Truckee and Ashland trails

Not just one, but two Specialized mountain bikes are to be raffled off this season by the California Enduro Series. A 2019 Enduro Elite is slated to be raffled off at the series’ fourth round at Northstar California Resort in Truckee, which is also the seventh round of this year’s Enduro World Series (EWS). A 2019 Stumpjumper EVO will be raffled off at the series finale, the Ashland Mountain Challenge in Ashland, OR presented by Ashland Mountain Adventures. Proceeds from these raffles will benefit not only the non-profit enduro organization, but trails in Truckee and Ashland as well.

Learn more at californiaenduroseries.com/specialized.

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KEEN awards funding to Outdoor Afro for children’s swim program

KEEN has awarded Outdoor Afro two years of funding to support its “Learn to Swim” initiative. According to a 2014 study by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Black children ages 5 – 19 are 5.5 times more likely to die in swimming pools than their White counterparts. The disparity is even greater for Black children ages 11 and 12, who are ten times more likely to drown. This year, Outdoor Afro is focusing much of its efforts on changing these statistics. This non-profit organization celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature.

Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/keen-outdoor-afro.com.