VRD mountain bike race series continues with Vail Grind

The Vail Recreation District's (VRD) Athletic Club at the Westin Mountain Bike Race Series continues Wednesday, July 11, with the Vail Grind on Vail Mountain.

The Vail Grind, presented by First Bank of Vail, will have participants ages eight and older race on 1.5 to 16 miles of single track trails on Vail Mountain, including racing on Lion Down, Big Mamba and Hank's Hideaway. This is the fourth race of the seven race series, which is presented by East West Resorts and the Vail Valley Medical Center.

Individual race costs are $25 for preregistration or $35 on race-day. Registration is available by clicking here. Preregistration for individual races ends at 5 p.m. tomorrow (7-10) and day-of registration will end at 5:30 p.m.

The races will begin at 4:45 p.m. with the Larkburger Youth Series for riders ages 8 to 17. All adult categories will begin at 5:45 p.m. at one minute intervals. There is no Never Ever category for this race. Vail Bike Tech, the official bike shop of the Vail Grind, will be onsite to provide neutral support for racers with last minute mechanical issues

The race will include an after party at Tavern at Vail Square in LionsHead with a free keg of beer provided Bud Light. Under Armour, located on Bridge Street in Vail Village and the official apparel sponsor of the mountain bike race series, will present the top three finishers of each category with gift certificates for the adults and youth racers. A raffle prize drawing Vail Grindfeaturing products from Under Armor and the race series sponsors will also take place during the after party.

On July 25, the race series continues with the return of the Camp Hale Hup, near Red Cliff. Then, returning for it's third summer, the Boneyard Brawl Mike Janelle Memorial Race will take racers on a great course in Eagle on Aug. 1. Racers will end the series with the Beaver Creek Blast in Beaver Creek on Aug. 25.

In addition to the Athletic Club at the Westin, East West Resorts and the Vail Valley Medical Center, sponsors of the 2012 races include the Under Armor, Dusty Boot, Bud Light, FirstBank of Vail, Vail Resorts, Inc., Beaver Creek Resort Company, Aberle Investment Management, Apex Dental, Central Rockies Mortgage, KZYR, Honeystinger, Ellsworth Bicycles, HESTRA Gloves, Camelbak, POC, Optic Nerve, Street Swell, Outdoor Technology, Rocky Mountain Reprographics, Vail Honeywagon, Zino Restaurant and The Steadman Clinic. The 2012 Youth Series is presented by Larkburger and KIDsport. Photos of the 2012 race series were taken by Scott McClarrinon and are available by going to www.mcclarrinonphotography.com.

Registration, course information and start times are available by clicking here or calling 970-479-2280. In the event of inclement weather and/or dangerous trail conditions, racers should check the VRD facebook page for the most current information should the race be postponed or rescheduled. For information on all other VRD programs and activities, click here or call 479-2279.