Event Profiles: Summer 2015

A sneak peek at some of the season’s best upcoming events

Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race
June 20 • Capitola

The 14th Annual Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race is one of the longest running paddleboard races in the country. The event keeps getting better every year! We gather to remember legendary Santa Cruz Waterman, Jay Moriarity and paddle our hearts out in his honor! All proceeds are donated to Santa Cruz County Junior Lifeguard Programs to purchase paddleboards and to provide scholarships in Jay’s name. Participants can look forward to the challenging 12-mile long course, 2-mile short course, Waterman Challenge (swim/SUP/prone), kids’ obstacle course race, family-friendly atmosphere, raging after-party and raffle featuring surfboards, paddleboards, wetsuits and more!
jayrace.com

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Death Ride XXXV: Tour of the California Alps
July 11 • Markleeville

The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce presents the Death Ride XXXV, one of the premier cycling events in the West. Participants will enjoy the magnificent scenery and warm hospitality of Alpine County. Registration takes place and the ride ends at Turtle Rock Park just north of Markleeville, CA. The five pass ride includes 129 miles and 15,000+ feet of lung busting climbing. You also have the option of riding one, two, three or four passes. For your safety, the first four passes will be closed at specific times to vehicular traffic. This year’s ride returns riders to the infamous five pass course that includes Monitor Pass (Highway 89) 8,314 feet, Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) 8,730 feet, and Carson Pass (Highway 88) 8,580 feet. Five pass finishers will receive a Five-Pass Pin and be eligible to purchase an exclusive Five-Pass Finisher Jersey. deathride.com

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USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships
July 13-19 • Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Mountain and USA Cycling present the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships July 14-19, 2015 in Mammoth Lakes, CA. This event brings together three exciting mountain bike disciplines as the nation’s best gravity, cross-country and Enduro racers converge on one location to settle who’s best in 2015.
MammothMTBNationals.com

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Eppie’s Great Race
July 18 • Sacramento

Registration is now open for the 42nd Annual Eppie’s Great Race coming to the Sacramento area on Saturday, July 18, 2015. This event – known as “The World’s Oldest Triathlon” – has been implemented each year as a fundraiser benefiting programs for the Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) that support mentally and physically challenged people. To date, Eppie’s Great Race has raised more than $1 million for TRS, accounting for over 20% of the program’s budget. Both teams and/or individuals can compete in divisions from Junior to Iron Person, 14 -70 years and older. Participants run 5.82 miles, cycle 12.5 miles, and paddle 6.35 miles, on a racecourse located on and alongside the American River Parkway. Early bird discounts available.
eppiesgreatrace.org

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Downieville Classic – 20th Anniversary
July 30-August 2 • Downieville

The Downieville Classic is a weekend of racing and partying in the Sierra where riders have to pick one tool for two disciplines: a 29-mile cross country race, and a 15-mile downhill with a 5,000 vertical drop. Downieville is most famous for its races, and riders come to prove themselves hardened and unbreakable. The Downieville Classic Cross Country race is one of the last remaining point-to-point bicycle races in the United States. The 29-mile course follows a rugged “Gold Rush” era route from the mountain town of Sierra City (elevation 4,100’), to the crest of the Sierra Nevada (elevation 7,100’), and down 5,200 vertical feet into downtown Downieville. It’s considered a tribute to the mountains, the rivers, the big trees, the fresh mountain air and the hard men that carved trails through the river canyons in search of gold and prosperity. The Classic is followed by the Downieville Downhill, which drops 5,000 vertical feet in 15 miles from Packer Saddle to Downieville. It’s the longest and most demanding downhill mountain bike race in the nation. Not a racer? Not to worry. Nearly as famous are the Ron’s House of Big Air River Jump, the log pull competition, and a soundtrack of live music.
downievilleclassic.com

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Squaw Mountain Run / Hike
August 1 • Squaw Valley

For the past 34 years, on the first Saturday of August, hundreds of runners and hikers have made the annual pilgrimage to the top of Squaw Valley to enjoy a great workout with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra. Starting at the base of Squaw Valley USA (6,200’) the course climbs the 3.6-mile mountain run to High Camp (8,200’) where awards, raffle, music, light refreshments and beer are provided. Participants can choose to run or take a more leisurely pace and hike, or Nordic walk (hike with poles). For the less energetic – let the cable car do the 2,000 foot elevation gain & join our knowledgeable guides for the beautiful Flower Walk on easy rolling terrain while on the lookout for wildflowers. The  blooms are usually spectacular this time of year!
auburnskiclub.com

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Ta-Hoe NALU
August 14-16 • King’s Beach

“Take the most beautiful lake in the world, gather the best SUP athletes on the planet, mix in a little Aloha, and you have the perfect recipe for an event known as the Ta-Hoe NALU.” Join this year’s festivities at Kings Beach State Park in Kings Beach on Lake Tahoe the weekend of August 14-16. The Ta-hoe NALU is the oldest SUP event in the world and the first paddle festival to take standup paddleboarding inland!  Ta-Hoe NALU started the flat water movement and helped to create the inland market that is thriving today. The Ta-Hoe Nalu draws over 4,000 spectators and up to 500 competitors from all over the globe. Two days of racing are scheduled for all ages and skill levels, with free demos and clinics for all. Come and enjoy the fun, family and high Sierra aloha at Kings Beach.
tahoenalu.com

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Surf City AIDS Ride
September 20 • Santa Cruz

The Surf City AIDS Ride is your destination bike event! Santa Cruz is home to some of the most impressive riding in the country. With four ride lengths to choose from, we have something for the casual cruiser, the masochist, and those who stand somewhere in between. Pick from 12, 30, 65, and 100 mile rides that will bring you ocean views, take you through fragrant strawberry fields, and wind you through meandering, country roads. There are seven themed rest stops in all, including the famous Gizdich Pie stop where you can replace much-needed calories with Ollalieberry pie and Marianne’s ice cream. Finish the ride at the expo, which includes free massages and refreshments (65 & 100 milers get an additional hot meal – tickets available for purchase for other riders). 100% of the event proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz AIDS Project. surfcityaidsride.org

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Eppie’s Kids Duathlon
October 18 • Sacramento

The 10th annual Eppie’s Kids Duathlon, presented by Eppie’s Great Race Foundation, is a running and cycling race for children and a great day of wellness fun for the entire family. Taking place at Sacramento’s Discovery Park on the American River Parkway, the new course site allows parents and friends to cheer on the kids. Participants receive food, goodie bags, shirts, and prizes. Upon completing the race, the whole family can enjoy fun, hands-on cooking and gardening activities, fitness obstacle courses, bounce houses and climbing walls, free health screenings, food and entertainment, among others. Adults and kids alike can earn more about growing and gardening, as well as cooking easy, healthy meals. eppieskidsduathlon.org

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SUMMER RACE SERIES

Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series
May 23, Donner Lake • July 11, Jam from the Dam • September 13, Tahoe Fall Classic

The TAHOE CUP Paddle Racing Series offers both the recreational Padddler and the race enthusiast an opportunity to participate in SUP, prone paddleboard or OC1 class races on Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe May-September. The 2015 series invites all paddling craft to participate. The Mission of the Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association (LTPA) is to promote, provide, and support environmentally friendly human-powered  paddlesport activities in the Tahoe Basin. Since its inception in 2009, the Tahoe Cup, hosted by the LTPA, has been a combined effort of participants, sponsors, and exhibitors who continue  to promote and enhance paddlesport activities and events in the Tahoe Basin. The proceeds from the Tahoe Cup benefit local non-motorized aquatic programs in the Truckee-Tahoe area. The Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association is a 501 (c) (4) not for profit organization.
tahoecup.org

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California Enduro Series
Battle Born Enduro – May 9 • Wild Wood Adventure Enduro – June 13-14 • VP EnduroFest – June 27-28 • Ashland Mountain Challenge –  July 11-12 • Northstar Enduro – August 29-30 • Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro – September 24-27

The California Enduro Series (CES) promises another great year of Enduro racing. In its third year, CES proves its commitment to growing this popular cycling sport by expanding its schedule to include additional fun and challenging venues, offering more race categories, and maintaining equal pro payout to both men and women for series overall top placement. The 2015 schedule includes the Battle Born Enduro at Peavine Mountain in the Reno/Tahoe area, benefiting The Poedunks trail stewardship organization; the Wild Wood Adventure Enduro on the Mendocino coast in Caspar, presented by Mendocino Bike Sprite; VP EnduroFest at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore; Ashland Mountain Challenge at Lithia Park in Ashland, OR presented by Ashland Mountain Adventures; the Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort in Truckee; and the series finale Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes.
californiaenduroseries.com

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Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Racing Series
Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 – May 2 • Pine Nut Cracker  – May 16 • Ridin’ High at the Ranch – May 30 • Kirkwood Mountain Classic – July 12 • Great Tahoe Flume Race – August 23

The Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Racing Series returns to USA Cycling sanctioning for 2015 to assist in providing qualifying opportunities for riders in the region that would like to race at Mountain Bike Nationals in Mammoth. The series will be the USA Cycling Regional Championship for Northern California and Nevada.  Series points winners in each of the 23 categories will receive Regional Championship medals. All of the races have been in the series previously, although some are run by separate promoters. The series starts May 2 with the Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 just outside of Nevada City. The Pine Nut Cracker continues to be a favorite on May 16 in Gardnerville. Ridin’ High at the Ranch on May 30 treats riders to the fun, flowy singletrack of Susanville Ranch Park in Susanville. The Kirkwood Mountain Classic at Kirkwood Resort on July 12 gives riders one last high altitude training opportunity before Mammoth. The series final is the Great Tahoe Flume Race on August 23 with fabulous trails and views above Tahoe.
SierracupMTB.com