Mountain
bike event to support youth sports
The ninth annual Santa Ynez Valley National, slated for May 16, 17
and 18 at the Stump Grinder Dirt Club in Los Olivos, will benefit the Santa
Ynez Valley Football League, the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Girls
Basketball Team, the Football Boosters Club and the Santa Barbara Bicycle Club.
This year’s bike events include cross-country, dual slalom,
downhill, short track XC, Super-D and a free kid’s race. A pancake breakfast
will begin the day, followed by a barbecue lunch, live music and the Firestone
Walker Beer Garden to fill the rest of the day. A 30-second TV spot will be
filmed and produced by Goodman Graphics.
This year’s event will again be part of the National Mountain Bike
Series as well as the USA Cycling Mountain National Racing Calendar.
Entry forms and full event information are available at
www.RidesB.com or you may email hecktone1@cox.net directly. Volunteers are
needed. Riders are advised that staging is no longer held at the Firestone
Meadow, but will be at Charlotte’s Meadow at the Stump Grinder Dirt Club
instead.
“We are excited about all the support we have received this year,”
said Mike Hecker of SG Productions. “Times have changed, and local residents
are beginning to accept that these types of events bring a lot of tax money
into our community.” The event is held on private property.
“We welcome all spectators to come to the event,” Hecker said.
Practice starts Friday with dual slalom qualification, and the downhill race
kicks off Saturday racing. On Sunday, there is a professional cross-country
event internationally sanctioned with Union Cyclist International — one
of only four mountain bikes races in the nation to have this qualification.
There is no
charge for spectators, but there is a $5 parking charge.