Devin Brady
Sept 6, 2023
Pass Powderkeg home to the Bee’s Knees Enduro hosted by United Riders of Crowsnest.
The slopes of Pass Powderkeg are about to be full of action with the Bee’s Knees Enduro hosted by United Riders of Crowsnest (UROC).
The race, first of its version, will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023. For those unfamiliar with the sport of mountain biking, an enduro race is a set course with only the downhill sections timed.
It was derived in Europe and fashioned from the similar styling of rally car racing.
The goal is to get to the top of the mountain and race down as fast as possible achieving the fastest time after each course.
Race director Darcy Neniska has been working tirelessly alongside volunteers to get this event set up. This is the first year of the race but Neniska “is hoping to make this a yearly event”.
In the past they have held enduros alongside the Canadian Enduro League and in the future hope to work with them again to bring more races to the Crowsnest Pass. Held solely at Pass Powderkeg Bee’s Knees is an “enduro style race at the grassroots level, keeping it a friendly race.”
Neniska’s biggest goal is “everyone has a great time, regardless of their race result”.
The race begins on Saturday with a U12 category (8-11) focusing on an “introductory race for kids to feel what it is about” said Neniska.
The race on Saturday is open to racers in the U15 category that are looking for a shorter course option.
The course has three stages; Stage 1: Electric Monkey, Stage 2: Lower Buck 50 and Stage 3: Nothing to Luge.
Sunday will have categories from U15 long course up to masters and an open men/women E-bike category.
The Sunday course has five stages; Stage 1: Buck 50, Stage 2: Electric Monkey, Stage 3: Berma-Grin, Stage 4: Spare Change-Roots of Hazard and Stage 5: Nothing to Luge. Which have a variety of technical features for both riders and spectators to enjoy.
For spectators wishing to view the race there will be ample space to move around and access sections of trails that have technical features such as jumps and berms, allowing you to feel in on the action.
There will be a food truck on Sunday as well as the Powderkeg chalet which will be open and serving their usual menu items and those that are curious about the sport can visit the UROC booth where they will have information on the organization as well as a merchandise table.
At the end of the race there will be prizes for competitors of the race sponsored by Alpenland, Ascent Cycle, Calgary Cycle and Bike Bros.
More information on the race you can visit the UROC website.