Salty dog bike race returns

May 24, Salmon Arm –

What’s got two wheels and smells like a dog? How about an exhausted mountain bike racer?

On May 24 the eighth annual Salty Dog cross country bike race will take place in Salmon Arm. Although the event has a number of different categories, the primary focus of the day will be a six-hour enduro (on and off road) race. Riding solo or in teams of two, competitors will ride a set loop through the South Canoe trail system as many times as possible during the six-hour ordeal.

Aside from the main race, there will also be two other races staged the same day to accommodate some of the younger riders.

This year will mark a return of the Salty Pup event for riders 3 years and up, which is an hour-long race on a level 1km track. Like the Salty Dog race, riders will endeavour to complete as many laps as possible during the hour.

For the 2009 event, a new category has also been created for riders who aren’t quite ready to commit to the six-hour undertaking. Restricted to teams of two riders under 15-years-old, the four-hour race will see bikers wind their way around a 5 km course as many times as they can, within the time frame allotted.

While the smaller rides may offer an entry point for less experienced riders, the premier event in the Salty Dog category is certainly nothing to shake a stick at. According to race information, each lap is approximately 11 km long and contains roughly 70 per cent single track and 30 per cent road riding. Each round also includes 300 meters of elevation gain per lap.

Spectators are encouraged to attend and support crews are recommended for the riders as they work their way through the day. A racer information meeting will be held on sight at 9:30 a.m. which will be followed by the Salty Dog ride at 10 a.m. The Jr. Salty Dog ride starts at 10:30 a.m. and the Salty Pup race kicks off at 11 a.m.

For more information check out: www.skookumcycle.com/salty_dog where you will find maps of the race location, race route and a downloadable registration form.

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