Penn Cycle's 27th Season of Thursday Night at the Races Starts May 10th

Image Credit: Gal Alon

Penn Cycle's long-standing tradition of mountain bike racing at Buck Hill returns on May 10th due to two mid-April snowstorms.  This one week delay allowed for snow melt and trail work so racing can begin for the 27th season making it the longest running weekly mountain bike race series in the country.  What started out with 45 riders the very first night a long time ago has grown and evolved into something truly special.  "Whether you’re a first-timer or local hero, these weeknight races continue to rank as the best bang for your entertainment Buck by every mountain biker in the world."  Thursday Night at the Races brings together beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bikers for some great racing and good times.  This family friendly event is also a great opportunity to get the little ones into mountain biking with a free kid's race after the adult races.

Image Credit: Gal Alon

"You won’t find a more family friendly, cycling event anywhere and I am really proud of what we have put together and continue to do so on Thursday Nights." - Pat Sorensen, Penn Cycle President.

Image Credit: Gal Alon

If you've never raced before, this is your chance to give it a try.  The Beginner class race only costs $5.  For the intermediate and advanced racers, $10 will gain you entry into the Advanced, Recreational A & B, NICA or Fat Bike class races.  Registration for the races starts at 5:00pm and ends promply at 6:30pm in the Hillside Room below the restaurant.  The new Rec B / NICA start time is aimed at high school riders and adults who wish to not race with Advanced class but want to do more than one lap.

The new schedule for racing this season is as follows:

6:30 Advanced Men 

6:32 Advanced Women 

6:32 Fat Tire 

6:34 Rec A Men and Women 

7:30 NICA 

7:30 Rec B Men and Women 

7:32 Beginners: All ages, all genders

7:45 Free kids' races

2018 Buck Hill Race Schedule

May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
 August 9

After the races, the adults take to the kid's course on kids bikes.  Watch the hilarity ensue as Pat shoots for the win in the longstanding rivalry with Charly Tri.

This is a great opportunity to test yourself in a race setting on a challenging wooded course at Buck Hill.  For Minnesota High School Cycling League racers, here's a chance to get in some early practice for the upcoming season.

After the races there will be loads of door prizes and food and drink is available all evening long. For additional details you can visit the Penn Cycle Events page or call the Bloomington store at 952-888-1427. A little rain may not always cancel the races, so give them a call if weather becomes an issue.



For a history of Thursday Night at the Races and more detailed information, listen to the Mountain Bike Radio interview with Pat Sorensen.