It may feel like we are in the middle of mud season here in the county and that’s because we are. The signs are everywhere. Shops are closed, restaurant are closed and even the grocery stores have started to resemble a ghost town. Without a doubt mud season is here. But just because the out of town visitors aren’t here right now doesn’t mean the gears in the Mountain Bike world aren’t starting to turn.

Just a few weeks back in the rolling hills of central California the national competitive cycling scene and well, cycling itself got its annual kick off at the Sea Otter Classic. For 4 days 74,000 festival attendees wandered the infield of the legendary Laguna Seca raceway looking at all of the latest cycling products from more than 500 exhibitors. In addition to the attendees some 9800 athletes from all around the world competed in every form of bike racing from Downhill to E-Bike Cross Country races. Grand County local and Pro MTB racer Dillon Lamar told us, “The Sea Otter Classic is always such a fun and exciting event to kick off each bike season. Having the opportunity to travel the world to such events while representing Trestle Bike Park and Commencal Bikes is a great honor for me.”

The Sea Otter Classic was started in 1991 by Frank Yohannan and Lou Rudolph. In the 27 years of the festivals history it has become the kick off to the season. It may be an unofficial position but after this event wraps the calendar of bike events kicks into high gear for the summer season. Nowhere is that effect more apparent than here in Grand County. The local bike event calendar is full throughout the summer.

Once again the Epic Singletrack series is back with 6 races this year. The series kicks off with the Race Granby Ranch event on Saturday June 9th and wraps up with the King of the Rockies race on August 18th . For over two decades the Epic Singletrack series, which is operated by the Winter Park Competition Center, has brought world class Cross Country MTB events all around the area. The series provides an amazing opportunity for riders of all levels to compete in one of their 6 racing categories.

In addition to the well established Epic Singletrack series two new mountain bike events are coming to the area as well this summer. On June 17th the Revolution Enduro series will be at Granby Ranch. Enduro racing combines the excitement of downhill and the strategy and energy of cross country riding. The Granby Ranch stop of the Revolution Enduro series is the second of the 4 stops of the series. Event CO-founder and Fraser resident Matt Swenson said, “This year we are offering our events at world renowned mountain bike destinations that appeal to riders of all abilities. I am stoked to bring the series to Granby and to watch bike racing grow.” This event will be definitely be one of the highlights of the summer for many riders.

This year will also be the first year of the Fraser MTB Fest. The event will be hosted at the Colorado Adventure Park on July 27-29. Riders will be able to race downhill in multiple events in the morning at Trestle Bike park and then come over to the Colorado Adventure Park to race or watch the Colorado State Dual Slalom Championships. In addition to that the Fraser MTB Fest will include a dirt jump best trick contest, live music, multiple fun bike events for the whole family as well as an opportunity to camp on site for the weekend. Food trucks along with long beer and spirits will also be available to round out the festival experience.

Even more than these few highlighted MTB events will be going on in Grand County for bike lovers from all over the country. Without a doubt Grand County will be the place to be this summer.