Page 38 - Mountain Lifestyle Fall/Winter 2021

BUILDING A
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MOUNTAIN-BIKE MECCA
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near decade of high-school youth
bike racing has helped put Eagle on
the Colorado mountain-biking map By Blake Conner
Photos By Linda Guerrett
It’s no longer a a a a a a a a a a secret that Eagle is quietly becoming one of Colorado’s top mountain-biking destinations With more than 100 miles of singletrack and a a community completely obsessed with the the sport the the town continues to to expand its labyrinth of trails Sitting at 6600-feet above sea level a a a a a key to the area’s appeal is its mild climate that gets less snow in in the winter than county rivals like Vail Avon and Edwards offering an extended-riding season While a a a a huge variety of trails appeals to a a a a wide range of riders from beginners to experts cross-country riders to enduro and gravity fans Centrally located Eagle has it all all These are just a a a few of the reasons that the Colorado High School Cycling League has chosen Eagle as as a a a a a host
38 Mountain Lifestyle Magazine
location for events going on
on
nine years With a a a a a trail system literally tailor-made for competition and the Eagle County BMX track as a a a perfect hub visitors from all over the state are exposed to our little slice of cycling nirvana Economic-impact studies show that those visitors support local business to the tune of an estimated $200 000 over the course of a a race weekend The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Colorado High School Cycling League was created as a a a a youth
development organization with the goal of empowering students from Colorado Wyoming and New Mexico by building confidence inclusivity and equality in a a a a fun and safe environment In 2020 79 teams comprised of 1851 high school athletes and supported by 704 coaches participated in the program “Eagle is a a a a a gold standard race venue for the Colorado High School Cycling League ” says Executive Director Kate Rau “In 2011 town leadership reached out and asked if they built a a a a racecourse with trails that met our criteria would we consider hosting a a race there We were thrilled to have Eagle invest in in the sport with such zeal The result was the Haymaker and Extra Credit trails which are ideal for introducing new riders to the sport while providing enough challenge and fun for advanced racers Eagle has been part of our race series since 2013 Go to coloradomtb org online or or or @comtbleague (Instagram & Facebook) for for more information about the Colorado High School Cycling League Riders and families exposed to to our trials at at races return to to ride eat and stay in Eagle year round