Grand Junction Off-Road Course Flyover
Epic Rides Releases Course Flyover Video for Grand Junction Off-Road Presented by U.S. Bank
(Grand Junction, CO) May 21, 2013 - Epic Rides today released an official course flyover video of the Grand Junction Off-Road Presented by U.S. Bank taking place this Labor Day Weekend, August 31-September 1 in beautiful Grand Junction, Colorado. The seven-minute video can be found here, and highlights the complete 40 Grand (1 mile=1 Grand) course, including the choicest sections of trail that Grand Junction has to offer.
Named for its location at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, the high desert town of Grand Junction has flourished over the past decade into a world-class mountain biking destination. Those familiar with Grand Junction will recognize trail names like Lunch Loops, Twist ‘n Shout, Butterknife, Tabeguache and Andy’s Trail; all of which will be featured in the 40 Grand event.
With cooperation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), two shorter course lengths will be offered (15 Grand and 30 Grand) to challenge the skill and experience of all types of riders while four aid stations supplied by GU Energy Labs will keep everyone properly fueled.
Riders will start and finish in the heart of downtown Grand Junction with cool, early morning temperatures only steps from the mighty Colorado River. Three partner hotels including Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn and the Hampton Inn are located in the immediate vicinity of the start/finish/event hub on Main St. The location couldn’t be more convenient for event participants, their families and concert goers.
“Having three hotels right at the start line makes it incredibly easy for people to pull into town, park their cars for the entire weekend and ride to all the great restaurants, bars, grocery stores and some of Colorado’s wine country in Grand Junction,” said Todd Sadow, president of Epic Rides.
All riders will leave town crossing over the Colorado and hit dirt within three miles, entering the famous Lunch Loops trail system. After climbing Widowmaker Hill, riders will experience Gunny, a fun section of singletrack that gives everyone a taste of the incredible riding that’s to come. Then it’s time to Twist ‘n Shout, a trail that fully lives up to its name – you can’t help but holler out in approval. Butterknife trail is next, a 6.5-mile section of singletrack that weaves its way through juniper trees and over technical rock features. For a firsthand look of the fun in store, watch this ten-minute trail preview of the Butterknife descent.
After Butterknife, the breathtaking scenery takes over as riders drop down to the Gunnison River with expansive views of towering red rock cliffs before a long climb up Magellan Loop that peaks riders out at 6,600 feet elevation. After a brief descent, riders will then get to experience more than a mile of Tabeguache Trail, riding exclusively on a slickrock climb that offers astonishing amounts of traction, turning everyone into a climbing hero.
Riders will also pass through the rock-strewn Rough Canyon, and if conditions are right, water crossings and waterfalls will add to the unforgettable journey. Then it’s onto the technical and twisty Andy’s Trail before riders finish off on Eagle’s Tail singletrack and enjoy a proper cool down or sigh of relief on pavement to downtown Grand Junction.
For those who’ve done the Whiskey Off-Road in Prescott, Arizona, riders can expect longer sections of singletrack that are more technically challenging yet still manageable for all skill levels. The 40 Grand is 10 miles shorter in length with less overall climbing of 6,500 vertical feet compared to 7,300 vertical feet at the Whiskey Off-Road 50 Proof. The 15 Grand and 30 Grand are similar in length to the Whiskey’s 15 Proof and 25 Proof, making The Grand an event that riders of all skill and fitness levels can enjoy.
“Whether racing to win, for bragging rights with friends or simply as a personal challenge to finish, each participant in the Grand Junction Off-Road has a physical goal in mind,” said Melissa Bashara, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Rocky Mountain Health Plans. “Rocky Mountain Health Plans understands the mountain bike lifestyle, and since we’re a local, Colorado-based company, we’re proud to help introduce newcomers to the incredible trails surrounding Grand Junction.”
Registration is now open and is limited to 500 amateur participants. For complete event information, detailed course maps and to register, visit the Grand Junction Off-Road Presented by U.S. Bank website.
This Saturday, May 18, the second round of the XCMarathon Cup MTB series will be flying through the
The 2013 
By lap four the sun was out, and although the wind rarely let up and the temperatures never left the forties, conditions improved and actual traction allowed the lap times to drop. Senkerik continued to extend his lead and even late in the race was able to fend off some snarky surges from seasoned team riders. He finished the long course in 8:56, a full hour ahead of Kautz who persevered to hold off Lytle by 12 minutes. The 2013 long course series looks to be a wide open battle between veterans Lytle, Tyler Welnak, David Swanson and 2012 mid-course champ Matt Millin, but a deep group of rookies could surprise everyone by October. Three-time defending women’s champ Denise Coppock added another long course win at 11:23.
In closing I have to mention how lucky I am to not have to have a “real job.” Last year, I quit working as a mechanic in a bike shop in order to dedicate my time to training, recovery, and racing (OK, I do a fair amount of cooking and cleaning, too, but mostly training and recovery). So, honorable mentions go out to Ryan, who actually has a real job that makes the money that pays for everything that the sponsors don’t, roommate “Poolboy” Matt, who also cooks, cleans, pays rent, and mows the yard while I vegetate on the couch, as well as to Amanda Carey, who encouraged me in the first place to quit work and go for it. Training like this is both the most fun and the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.
