September 9, 2005 – The Cheakamus Challenge is going to once again giving riders more sweet trail to ride than ever with the 2005 edition.

Cheakamus Challenge Fall Classic
Saturday, September 24th, 2005
Squamish- Whistler, Point A-B X-Country

Riders will be finishing for the first time in Whistler’s Creek-Side, right out front of Dusty’s after racing the over 70 km. and 2000 m. of climbing from the start in Squamish.

Race Director, Grant Lamont has been toying with the idea for about 10 years and now that there seems to be solid support in the area it is a natural fit. With the amount of labour and equipment needed to put on a safe and professional event while keeping retailers happy, the energy was better spent elsewear.

“The Cheakamus is a Classic and so is Creek-side, we are psyched to be finishing in Classic Whistler with over 8 km. of additional single-track for 05.The ease of parking and the magnificent selection of trails from Function to Creek-side give great options that allow us to eliminate the un-rideable and dangerous sections of the Microwave Climb and Northwest Passage.

With the popularity of the Bike Park it makes sense from a safety aspect as well to separate the race from the DH crowd as there is nothing worse than being 5 hours into a race with guys taking air around you.”

The race will take the following route. Riders will enter Trash and do the complete loop off of the Dump Hill Climb. Once out of Trash they will climb up the west main road to the junction with the Ridge Trail where riders will then be treated to a 350 m. elevation gain in 2.7 km. Once at the Loggers Lake Gate you will bear right and take trail which climbs up to the Black Tusk Road where riders turn right and head down the Road to then go down Riverside Trail all the way to the landfill bridge over the Cheakamus. Once across the Bridge riders will then go up the Far Side Trail and connect with the High Trail which will lead them up the mid- Microwave Climb before heading down Tunnel-vision. Once out of the complete Tunnel-vision riders will then climb up the paved Kadenwood Climb and then descend down Big Timber to the finish at Dusty’s. There will be a special treat for the finish as usual.

This years men’s and women’s winners will receive a special pots fired and designed by Whistler’s Vincent Massey, one of the founders of WORCA.

The Cheakamus Challenge starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 24th at the Squamish Airport.

We are also offering a half distance event this year which starts at Cal Cheak at noon and finishes at Dusty’s.

You can sign up online at www.cheakamuschallenge.com