Mountain biking event raises funds for Friends of Capitol Forest

A mountain biking bonanza is headed for the hillbilly hideout that is Olympia’s own Capitol Forest. For two days in August (10th-11th), the 7th Annual Capitol Forest Classic will take over the hills, trails, ravines, gullies and gulches as men, women, and children compete in a myriad of mountain biking competitions.

According to Kerry Tarullo, the Communications and Outreach Representative for Friends of Capitol Forest (FOCF), “It is becoming a huge mountain bike event in the Pacific Northwest. We hear comments that it’s racers’ favorite race weekend of the year.”

The event serves as a major fundraiser for FOCF. The organization spends the rest of the year maintaining riding trails in the forest for horses and ATV’s, cleaning up garbage left behind by other forest users, and providing outreach services to the neighbors in order to keep things copacetic. “Basically,” says Tarullo, “the forest is divided into horse trails and motor trails, but all trails are open for mountain biking and hiking.”

Registration costs range from $40-$90, depending on the event. Online registration is open until 10 PM on 8/7/13. Registration is available on-site the day of the race beginning at 7:30 AM, witch rider check-in at 9:30 AM, and the races beginning at 10 AM. Camping is free all weekend and there is no charge for fans and spectators at the races. Said Kerry Tarullo, “I suggest you camp out Saturday evening, it’s a freakin’ hoot. Lots of annual tradition shenanigans go on in the evenings.”

According to Tarullo, in years past, “Pros like Lars Sternberg and Darrin Seeds of Transition Bikes race the Super D race. Matt Jagger of Diamondback Bikes usually races, but might not this year. Nathan Riddle, who races for SRAM, Santa Cruz and Bell raced at a couple of them.” Tarullo added, “There’s a big movement in bike riding called Klunking. It’s basically minimalist steel bikes with no suspension and a coaster break, kind of like the first mountain bikes. Transition (Bikes) came out with a ‘Klunker’ line and we are having the first annual Klunker Ride on Saturday evening as a part of the race weekend.”

Directions from Olympia: Take Black Lake Boulevard south. Turn left onto Delphi Road south. Turn right on Waddell Creek Road. Follow Waddell Creek Road out and continue straight once it turns into Sherman Valley Road. When Sherman Valley Road turns to gravel, veer left onto C-Line logging road. Turn left onto C-6000, and follow to the Fall Creek parking area. Discovery Passes are required on all vehicles inside Capitol Forest. ◙

For additional information visit:

www.FriendsOfCapitolForest.org 

www.CapitolForestClassic.com

*See the next issue of Olympia Power and Light for exclusive event coverage.