The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Here it goes again.

After a postponement and a cancellation, the Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series finally is set to begin today at Howelsen Hill.

That is, of course, if the weather doesn’t spoil the race like the previous two weeks.

“We’re a go, weather permitting and all that,” series director Gretchen Sehler said Tuesday. “We have possibly a couple back-up plans if the weather turns.”

If the weather doesn’t spit again, the Thunderhead Hill Climb race will be held at Howelsen Hill. The climb usually takes place at the Steamboat Ski Area, but because of snow, the race had to be moved, Sehler said.

The climb at Howelsen will be just shy of three miles.

All pro, expert and single-speed divisions will start at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena stables and use a combination of the road and come out at the top of the Lupine Trail. Riders will then proceed up Steamboat Moab to the finish.

Sehler said any rider who doesn’t put a foot down during the race will earn three extra points towards the overall race standings.

All other divisions will come out of Lupine and go over to Blackmere Drive. The children’s event is a loop that starts behind the stables.

If weather does play a part, Sehler said, race planners will look at alternative routes. She said she wouldn’t know if the course would be changed until early this afternoon. Sehler encouraged people to call the city’s Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services Department at 879-4300 to see if the course has changed.

“Hopefully we can get it in,” Sehler said “I have my fingers crossed. If we do not get this one going, it will be postponed until later in the season. This race will be scheduled sometime.”

The children’s event starts at 5:30 p.m. Race-day registration ends promptly at 5:40 p.m. The first heat of adult races will start at 6 p.m. Race-day registration is $16 for adults and $11 for children.