Cycling: Your chance to be part of the Nevada Cup

As you might have read last week, the Pinenut Cracker is Saturday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and racing begins at 11 a.m.

The fairgrounds is a super place to host a race since they have indoor bathrooms, lots of indoor space for prize presentations, eating and registration, as well as a hose area to wash your bike (or horse).

Now, as we sit today, the forecast is for a slight chance of rain and warm 65 degree weather.  This is typically very good weather and conditions for mountain biking. 

The Pinenuts could use a little rain to cut down on the beginnings of summer dust.

Last year, it rained very hard before the race.

Like a smile from above, the skies dried up about 30 minutes before the race and the course went from a terrible quagmire to a beautifully tacky trail with excellent traction.  On cue, the rain started as the last racers were finishing.

So last year, we had a beautiful race on a well designed course that exhibited the best the Pinenuts has to offer.

Some of you out there may not know, but the Pinenut trails east of the fairgrounds is some of the best mountain biking in the area.  It is a good mix of dirt roads, double track and single track (cut in by motorcycles and cleared by mountain bikers). 

This year we expect to have an easier course for all categories.  It should be well marked and ready for action starting today.

In addition to the easier laps for the racers, there is an introductory race for riders 18 and under.  This will be a 1-3 mile course for young people at reduced costs.  We hope to stimulate interest for young people to see what mountain biking and mountain bike racing is about.  Parents are encouraged to ride with their younger riders to enhance the experience. 

The Nevada Cup is part of a three-part (there might be a fourth) race series for the Nevada State Championships.  This also serves as a Nationals qualifier.  In short, the race is a chance to get out to a race on our local trails.  The money made goes to the club fund that helps with the trash pickup in the Pinenuts, trail maintenance and development with the Pinenut Trails Association.

I say this because you may ask why would I pay to ride there when I can ride for free?  You would pay to test yourself against others and to support the trails we love to ride year round.  What better reason(s) to come out and join us on our home turf? 

Mel Maalouf is The Record-Courier's cycling columnist and the coach of the Alta Alpina Cycling Club junior team.