Promoter to bring mountain bike event to Grand Junction

By Gary Harmon
Sunday, March 3, 2013

A three-day mountain-bike race will kick off Labor Day weekend in downtown Grand Junction, with sponsors hoping to attract 600 riders on various trails in town and on the red-rock runs of Bangs Canyon.

The Grand Junction Off-Road presented by US Bank is envisioned by Epic Rides President Todd Sadow as the eventual centerpiece of a series of events that will lead to a culminating race of the year.

Epic Rides has for nine years operated the “Whiskey Off-Road” race in Prescott, Ariz.

Dave Grossman, coordinator of the Grand Valley Trails Alliance, observed the “Whiskey Off-Road” and persuaded Sadow to plan a race on trails overlooking the Grand Valley.

The Whiskey Run this year is offering a $35,000 purse, split evenly between male and female competitors. No purse announcement for the Grand Valley event has been made.

Early plans for the Grand Junction event called for a beginners race on Friday, long and short races for amateurs on Saturday, then a pro race on Sunday, leading up to a public concert.

An industry expo also will be part of the event.

“The Grand,” as organizers call it, will place the Grand Valley “at the center of the mountain-biking universe” on Labor Day.

Epic Rides is now accepting registration at EpicRides.com.