Round and round
Bike shop hosting race series for all ages, skill levels
Pictou County Cycle is hosting a bike race series open to riders of all ages and skill levels
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to take part in a mountain bike race, you’ll have an opportunity starting next Monday.
On May 15, May 29 and June 5 Pictou County Cycle will be hosting a Short Track Mountain Bike Race Series. The series is open to people of all ages and skill levels. The races will be held at Trenton Park each of the days.
Registration goes from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. each day with races starting at 6 p.m. sharp. The cost is $15 to take part.
Craig Lorge, an employee at Pictou County Cycle, said there’s usually a series held in the spring and fall. They had a great turnout at the series last fall, which was organized by local schools to get more youth out, and they are hoping for a large turnout again.
“We’ve been doing the short track for quite a while and it’s always reasonably happening,” he said. “Last year was the first year the school got involved and our numbers were way up.”
The numbers went from about 40 from past events up to around 70 participants.
While this series is hosted by Pictou County Cycle, he said they sent out information to the schools with hopes of getting students out. Unlike the school-organized event, this series is open to adults. He said it’s a great way to introduce people into mountain bike racing.
“It leads to a lot of the kids ending up getting into the group rides and eventually joining our race series.”
Clint Snell, who owns Pictou County Cycle, said the series is a way for them to promote biking in Pictou County, which is good for business, but it’s also good for the health of participants by getting them outside and exercising instead of sitting in front of a TV.
Prizes will be given out at the end of the series.