Downhill Cyclists Gear up for the Whiteface 5K Downhill

Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest June 14-17
Wilmington, NY - Many of the country’s top downhill mountain bikers will be racing for $2,500.00 in cash when they compete in Sunday’s, June 17, seventh annual Whiteface 5K Downhill being held at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, N.Y. The event is the fifth stop on the Pro MTB Gravity Tour (Pro GRT).

“This race is the week before the Mont-Ste.-Ann (Quebec, Canada) and the Windham (N.Y.) World Cup races,” said the event’s organizer Mike Scheur, also known as “Downhill Mike.” “I’m anticipating that we should not only attract the best in the U.S., following the Pro GRT Tour, but some of the best in the world as well.”

While the top pros will be pursuing the cash purse, the top three places in all of the amateur categories will come away with prizes from participating sponsors. Racers can register for the 5K downhill by logging onto www.downhillmike.com. The cost is $85 through June 11. The registration also includes a two-day lift pass to Whiteface Mountain.

The Whiteface Mountain bike park, operated by High Peaks Cyclery, is scheduled to open for the summer season, Friday, June 15. A dual slalom race is slated for Saturday, June 16, with a free kids dual slalom event slated for noon. The park has 27 diverse trails that range from hardcore expert only downhillers, to cruisers, to winding cross-country paths—something for every ability and riding style. Whiteface also has the greatest vertical drop in the east. Adult season passes through June 22 are just $299.

The Whiteface 5K Downhill is one of several events taking place on and around Whiteface and Wilmington during the second annual Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest, June 14-17.

The bike fest begins Thursday, June 14, with a mountain bike instruction clinic for beginners, sponsored by High Peaks Cyclery. The event continues throughout the weekend and also includes bike stunts, jumps and tricks exhibitions, pro-trial demonstrations, a bike parade as well as plenty of music, food and family-free events.