Lakewood, Colo.— The storied Yeti Beti Bike Bash presented by Stan's NoTubes enters its tenth year in 2019 and continues as the largest women's mountain bike race not just in the U.S., but in the world. The Colorado Front Range XC race is slated for Sunday, June 2 and heads back to Bear Creek Lake Park. But this weekend is far more than just a race, it is the result of a strong community of women's mountain biking. Before the start gun goes off on Sunday, this family-friendly weekend is packed with all-levels and all-ages clinics, an expo and culminating with the XC race. VIDA MTB Series and Little Bellas girls camp will offer one-day clinics on Saturday.
"It seems like we blinked, and ten years have passed," said race director and co-founder, Amy Thomas. "The growth we have seen in not only thisevent, but in women's mountain biking in the last ten years is beyond inspirational. We're so proud to continue to offer a premium women's mountain bike race, with a pro purse and a weekend that is friendly for all levels of riders and their entire family."
From modest beginnings in 2010, the Yeti Beti Bike Bash hosted 400 riders in 2018 and has established itself as the premier women's mountain bike event in Colorado. Mid-summer flooding in 2015 sent the race to Castle Rock for two years, but in 2017 the race returned "home" to the smooth, fast, buffed trails Bear Creek is known for.
"Bear Creek is such a lovely scenic park and located centrally for racers from all over the Front Range from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs," said race director and co-founder, Amy Thomas. "It offers camping, swimming and tons of activities. The park is also a 40-minute drive from the Denver International Airport, making it an accessible destination for out of towners. We always encourage any out-of-state visitor to extend their stay and get some recreational riding in after the race – to make a vacation of it."
The Bear Creek course consists of a 4-mile lap that is fast, flowy and fun. Again this year, the race will offer a number of categories including Never-Ever for first-time mountain bike racers who will complete two laps, New Mom for riders with a baby 18 months or younger, and the world-famous drag crit for men brave enough to don women's apparel on the bike – points given for style, grace and "good looks".
Of course, the usual categories are also covered including Sport, Expert, and Pro – the last often attracting some of the fastest women in the industry - the likes of Katie Compton, Amy Beisel, Georgia Gould, and Kelli Emmett.
Take advantage of early bird pricing through February 28, 2019!
Yeti Cycles, a sponsor of the race from day one, will continue as title sponsor of the event as well as Stan's NoTubes, Maxxis Tires, Sports Garage Cycling, and DeFeet International. This year we have additional Junior support from Wahoo's Fish Taco. They will be hosting two fundraisers on March 11-12, 2019 and 50 percent of proceeds those evenings will be used to cover all Junior Girls ages 18 years and younger.
"Yeti has always stood firmly behind women's mountain bike racing, sponsoring the first pro team back in the late 80's," said Yeti Cycles president Chris Conroy. "For us, our continued sponsorship of the Yeti Beti Bike Bash is in our DNA. We always have and always will support racing in our backyard."
The Little Bellas girls camp is set for Saturday, June 1 and offers a mountain bike camp focusing on skills practice and confidence-building in a fun and supportive environment for girls ages 8 to 13. The Little Bellas will race in categories and on a course of their own during the race on Sunday. For more information and to register, visit www.littlebellas.com.
The VIDA MTB Series, owned by follow race co-founder Sarah Rawley, will also offer an all-levels women's skills clinic on Saturday. This clinic is highly recommended for all participants in the Never Ever category and race participants receive $10 off clinic registration. For more advanced riders, VIDA secures permits for more technical terrain on the Front Range. Visit www.vidamtb.com for details and to register.
"Taking the Yeti Beti Bike Bash into its tenth year is truly a dream come true," said Rawley. "It has been a labor of love and one that VIDA aligns with directly. It was always a shared vision to create a weekend of community, confidence building, comradery and fun all wrapped into women's mountain biking and we're as stoked to be a part of it."
Registration is now open at www.imathlete.com.
