This June 25th and 26th the Island Cup will make a stop on Hornby Island for a classic two-day XC and Super D race weekend. After a long ten year wait top level mountain bike racing has returned to Hornby Island and riders can once again enjoy racing on some of the sweetest trails in Canada.

ISLAND CUP XC FINALS

Why race Hornby?

Well for starters the legendary single track of Hornby Island will leave you grinning from ear to ear, add to that some brand new sections of trail to keep you on your toes and finish it off with an intimate setting and great times with friends.  We’ve laid out the Spring Classic XC course to provide ample passing opportunities and some nice extended descents. Each lap of approximately 14 K will include 300 metres of climbing, broken up into two main double-track climbs. The descents are made up of several sections of pristine Hornby Island singletrack. Compared to many other areas Hornby trails are very smooth and fast so bring some fast tires and a light bike! Riders will be able to choose one, two, or three laps, depending on skill level.

XC Registration: Registration will be on race day in Strachan valley. To get there drive Central Road to the Co-op Ringside market and then follow the signs to Strachan valley. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. and racing goes at noon. While the XC race is underway we will have kids races around the site and the atmosphere will be festive.

Schedule of Events:

Friday June 24^th

9:00 PM            Course signage up

Island Cup XC finals Saturday June 25^th

8:00 AM            Super D course opens for training

9:00AM             XC and Super D Registration opens.

11:00AM            Close of registration  for the XC races.

11:30 AM            All competitors on the start line for roll call

12:00 PM            XC race start.

12:30 PM            Kid’s races

ISLAND CUP SUPER D SEASON OPENER

The course will start a the top of Mount Geoffrey and descend along Devils Kitchen, Four Dead Aliens, Test Tube, Chris and Brads and No Horses Trails before breaking out of the woods and entering the finish in Strachan Valley. This is a relatively non-technical Super D, the first minute on Devils Kitchen is steep but after that the course is a moderate speed rolling descent so if you’re a Cross-Country racer that’s been thinking about trying out Super D then this could be the race for you. We expect times in the neighbourhood of 6 minutes for faster riders. The course is primarily descending with about 75% downhill, 20% flat and 5% uphill.

This is a non-shuttled event, riders are responsible for getting themselves to the top of the mountain.

Super D Registration and location:

Strachan Valley, Hornby Island. (very end of Strachan Road) To get there drive Central Road to the Co-op Ringside market and then follow the signs to Strachan valley. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. and racing goes at noon.

8:00 AM             SuperD course opens for training

9:00AM             SuperD Registration opens.

11:00AM            Close of Super D registration

12:00 PM            Start of Racing

Awards to follow racing with the event wrapping up in time for competitors to catch the last ferry off of the Island at 6:00 PM

Island Cup Races are sanctioned by Cycling BC.

*All text and images from the Hornby Island Mountain Bike Association webpage. Please visit their site for more details.

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