Despite cooler weather, the first Loonie Race of the season, on May 1, brought out close to 300 riders — far more than any first race of the season, and more than double what sponsors were expecting.
The event was a criterium around Cut Yer Bars, where the slower riders were cut off after two laps and the faster riders decided to race to a tie.
It wasn’t an easy race to host, with volunteers and organizers shoveling off sections of the course in the weeks before the race. Sponsors were the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association, Opa!, and the Nesters Liquor Store.
This week’s race is set for Lost Lake, and volunteers are again out shoveling snow from a few sections of the course that have been slow to melt.
Sponsors at Alpine Café and Nesters Liquor store are also hosting the very first “Leave No Trace Loonie Race”. Alpine’s chili will be served in bread bowls, wooden spoons and napkins that can be tossed into the fire pit at Edgewater — the site of the après party.
Sign-on will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Nicklaus North entrance to Lost Lake.
Memberships are available online at www.worca.com, or you can download and print the forms and bring them to the event to save time. Keep in mind that riders who register online are still required to sign a 2008 waiver.
Memberships will also be available this year in the village at Behind The Grind.
