Mountain bike racing life after May and June Wednesday nights at Riverside State Park begins at Farragut State Park July 6, 13, 20, and 27. With only four Wednesdays in July this year, the “5 in July” race series will include the Ride the Pass mountain bike fondo event on 4th of July Pass Sunday July 24. Ride the Pass is an endurance mountain bike ride that covers various options of the 10 plus miles of Nordic ski trails on the south side of the pass and 16 plus miles of ATV Trail #800 on the north side. Two on-course aid stations and a finish line picnic will be provided. Riders will start from the Nordic ski trailhead at 8 a.m. on Sunday July 24 and travel counter-clockwise on the south side before crossing over to the north side on Trail #800 (also going counter-clockwise). Completing one or both loops might be the goal or seeing how many loops you can finish before the 4 p.m. cutoff might be the plan.
For the Wednesday night races, the weekly-changed 8-mile singletrack loop course has flowing and winding terrain that provides riders a different racing experience than Riverside. The 3-5 person team format changes some of the racing strategies (cross country rules apply). Single (non-team) riders are welcome too and find Farragut racing just as exciting. Racing starts at the “Tower’s Day Use Picnic Area” (watch for signs) at 6:30 p.m. Players from the North Idaho College Men’s Soccer Team will cheer you on and be there to flip burgers and serve the finish line BBQ for all of the “5 in July” events. Farragut State Park is a fee park, like Riverside, that will require an Idaho $5 day pass or yearly sticker pass on your vehicle. Day passes will be available for purchase at registration if needed. Proceeds from all five events benefit the North Idaho Men’s Soccer Program. Registration is $20 for each of the five events (including the meal), or $80 to do all five. Details at Facebook.com/teammtb5.in.july. //
