Squamish mountain bike festival recognized by Attractions Canada
What do the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Bungy Zone Adrenalin Centre, Horne Lakes Provincial Parkand, the Uts-am Wilderness Society, and the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival have in common?
Not much, other than the fact that all of them are popular attractions, and have been nominated for 2002 Attractions Canada Awards, representing the West Coast. More than 394 applications were received by Attractions Canada from around the country.
The Squamish Mountain Bike Festival, which is headlined by the seventh annual Test of Metal race, is recognized as one of the top mountain bike events in North America. This year the festival runs from June 21 to 23.
On Friday, June 21, the festival kicks off with a classic cruiser and chopped bike show, followed by the Intergalactic Chariot Race Championships. In the chariot race, mountain bikers pull custom chariots, occupied by extremely trusting friends, around a challenging obstacle course.
On June 22, the 67 kilometre Test of Metal is held on the roads and world class bike trails of Squamish. The race is limited to 800 racers, and is always a sell-out – competitors are urged to get their applications in before the end of May to be guaranteed a spot.
There will also be a Teen Test that afternoon, which is limited to 300 riders aged nine to 13 and is held on a shorter course.
On Sunday there is a Mini Metal at the Squamish Station Shopping Centre for kids aged four to eight. Freeriders will also get their chance to race at the Rock Star Invitational in Valleycliffe, where top local riders compete on Squamish’s double black diamond trails. That afternoon the action moves to the Squamish Town Centre for a trials riding competition.
For more information on the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival, visit the Web site at www.testofmetal.com.
