Bear Mountain – Russ Hay’s XC Short Track

The 3rd Annual 2019 BEAR MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL presented by the City of Langford and Tourism Victoria, is Vancouver Island’s premier off-road bicycle event .  To be held March 30-31, 2019 the event is on track to draw 500+ participants and close to 5,000 spectators.  The  cycling Festival offers the challenge of X-Country Racing, the thrill of MTB Enduro, as well as fun activities for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities:  from young kids to Olympians.

The venue is located at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort, which serves as National Training Center for the Canadian National Mountainbike Team.  Nestled in the Victoria BC Highlands, the venue is a cycling stadium that is ideally suited to showcase cycling in all its many facets.  The area consists of over 10km of combined single-track/double-track trails, flow trail, pump track and a dirt jump park.

Bear Mountain Resort has wonderful amenities, restaurants, spa, recreation center, parking, and easy on-and-off access from Highway 1. The Victoria International  Airport is 30 minutes away to the North. Ferry services make this event easily accessible to cycling fans coming from BC Mainland and US Washington State. Positioned in the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria has risen quickly to truly be declared as a world class cycling destination.

March 30 – 2019 Canada Cup XCO Long Course

The UCI Bear Mountain Canada Cup XC kicks off the season with its notoriously challenging race course.  Racers from various age groups and abilities will test their strength, endurance, and technical abilities on Bear Mountain’s pristine trail system.   The highlight of the event will be watching Olympic Bronze Medallist Catharine Pendrel race as defending champion.  Other big names attending will include Emily Batty, Raph Gagne,  Andrew L’esperance, and Haley Smith.

March 31 – Russ Hay’s XC Short Track

SHORT TRACK is a short, dynamic race for about 30 minutes. This discipline was also introduced with a great success in Europe and USA.  The race is held on a shorter and simpler circuit (approx. 2km) with fewer amount of terrain obstacles, which naturally pushes the riders to ride in a group. Point scoring bonuses or prize money during each passage of the finish area provide a hard fight on the finish line of each circuit and also a great show for spectators.

For more information, maps, and to register, go to: https://www.victoriabikerace.com/bear-mountain