Last year was Big Bear's inaugural 100 mile endurance race. The race started at Whalers Pointe on the lake, followed a pace truck through town, and spent the next 90 miles racing some of the best north side fire road and trails. We were there and we loved it. But after seeing the arm wrestling it took to make the event happen, we thought for sure that it was going to be the first and last Big Bear Epic. (First the San Bernardino Forestry Service okayed the event. Then they fined, sued and hassled everyone involved with promoting it. Who needs that?)
MOVED TO A FRIENDLIER SIDE
Although they have to deal with the same old hard-headed land management, things are a little friendlier on the other side of the valley. That's where Snow Summit is; the site of the NORBA National and all the rest of Big Bear's amateur racing. So the race is on again.
SHORTENED TO 75 MILES
Following the UCI Marathon Standard, the 2003 Epic will be run on a 75-mile long course. We still start at the same place, but ride through town to the mountains on the other side. The trails and fire road in these hills are steeper and tighter. Although the Epic is shorter this year, it looks to be even more grueling. (Endurance racers read that as being more fun.) It's going to be like racing through town, and then the National, an Amateur Cup and the Fall Classic; all at one time with no break.
JUST THE FACTS
The race starts 7:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6. There are ample aid stations along the course and it's an easy event to do without a pit crew. Also included are 11, 20 & 30 mile fun rides that happen the same day as the race. If you like descending more than climbing, some of the fun rides take a lift to start atop Snow Summit.
For full info on the race contact (909) 866-4565; www.teambigbear.com.
|