It’s the 2nd Annual Cherry Tops Challenge!

Get a hold of your emotions, because we’ve got another epic bike ride for you! Last year 53 amazing riders braved rain, cold, mud, and knarl and one lucky lady came up with the best poker hand to win a sweet New Years powder skiing trip at Baldface Lodge. The other 52 lucky souls were treated to fantastic swag bags, prizes, a delicious BBQ and a heck of a fun day. The event is a fundraiser for the Nelson Cycling Club, and with all the trails around Nelson and the amount of work they do, they need all the help they can get!The race starts in Nelson at The Sacred Ride, climbs up to the top of Pulmonary then plunges down to Highway 3. All you cowpokes will then head up Marsden Road and keep pedaling 23 kms until you get up to Baldface Lodge, elevation 6,750 feet. It doesn’t end there cause it’s a final grueling push up to Cherry Tops, elevation 7,200 feet. After a breath-catching and breath-taking moment it’s time to switch ‘er over to downhill mode. Competitors will start their flight down “the meadow trail”, Lower Swamp Donkey, and pedal up 4 kms to Shannon Pass. Then it’s down to Kootenay Lake via the Shannon Pass trail and to Johnstone Park along highway 3. Whew!

Yes, you read that right … we’re talking about 6,000 vertical feet and almost 60 km!

It’s not about crossing the line first, it’s about enjoying the bejeezus out of a big ride with fun people. You’ll be getting poker cards along the way and the best hand wins a powder skiing trip of a lifetime. There will be tons of prizes so like we said, it’s not about winning. Riders should bring plenty of water and some snacks, but some trail-side refreshments and a finish-line barbecue is included.

So come one and come all to see “what in the wild, wild world of sports is goin’ on here”! We are also looking for volunteers. For more information, call 250-352-0006.


WHAT: 2nd Annual Blazing Saddles Cherry Top Challenge – a 60-km, 6,000 vertical-foot, poker-run-style mountain bike race
WHERE: Nelson, B.C.
WHO: Women and Men, all ages
WHEN: Sunday, July 27th, 2008
RACE START: 8 a.m.
RACE FINISH: Approximately 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION: The Sacred Ride, open Monday through Saturday
COST: $50 ($20 to Nelson Cycling club, $30 to the event)
PRIZES: More than you can shake a stick at.
SPONSORS: The Sacred Ride, Baldface Lodge, NRG Enterprises, Nelson Cycling Club, Nelson Brewing Company, Dakine, Santa Cruz, Sombrio