Freewheel Bike Continues Thursday Night at the Races at Buck Hill

Image Credit: Freewheel Bike

For those of you that were wondering if Thursday Night at the Races at Buck Hill would continue on  after Freewheel Bike's purchase of Penn Cycle, the answer is yes.  Thursday Night Mountain Bike Racing return for a 28th season on May 23rd making it the longest running weekly mountain bike race series in the country.  What Pat Sorensen started decades ago with 45 riders the very first night 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."

The Thursday Night Mountain Bike Races series brings together beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bikers for some great racing and good times.  This season's races will consist of a Spring and Summer Series of race dates.  The Spring Series kicks off May 23rd for six weeks and the Summer Series on July 18th for seven weeks.  Advance online registration for each full series and individual dates is now available.  Spring and Summer Series registration is only $50 and individual races are $10 each.  Night-of registration will also be available for $15.  This family friendly event is also a great opportunity to get the youngsters into mountain biking with a free kid's race and under 16 race for only a $1.

Night of registration opens at 5:00 pm, closes promptly at 6:00 with racing starting at 6:30.  This year there will be three classes, Beginner (20-minute race), Recreational (40-minute race) and Advanced (60-minute race) with series prizes for the winner of each category.

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.  Food, drink and "shenanigans" will be available all evening long.  "Cancellations due to weather will be refunded in full for all pre-registered riders. Race times are approximate and may be modified to adjust for daylight."

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.

Penn Cycle's 26th Season of Thursday Night at the Races Starts May 11th

Penn Cycle's long-standing tradition of mountain bike racing at Buck Hill returns in 2017 for the 26th season.  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.

"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.

If you've never raced before, this is your chance to give it a try.  The Beginner class race starts at 7:30 pm and only costs $5.  For the intermediate and advanced racers, $10 will gain you entry into the Advanced, Recreational or Fat Bike class races that start at 6:30 pm.  Free kids' races start at 7:45 pm.  Registration for the races runs from 5:00-6:15 pm.

2017 Buck Hill Race Schedule

Series 1:  May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Series 2:  June 29, July 13, 20, 27 and August 4.

Make up race August 11. 

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 Thursday Night at the Races 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.

Buck Hill Launches Mountain Bike Skills Clinics

Buck Hill in Burnsville will be offering several mountain bike skills clinics this Summer.  These camps, workshops and training sessions will be tailored for children, high school athletes, women and men. Sessions begin in June and July and offer a discount for early registration.

Mountain Bike Skills Day Camp for Kids "are designed with an emphasis on achieving safe, injury-free riding through the establishment and continuous refinement of core skills."  There will be an Intro to Mountain Biking/Basic Skills camp that will be offered twice (June 20-24 or July 11-15) and a Intermediate Mountain Biking/Gravity Intro that will also be offered twice (June 27-July 1 or July 18-22).  Cost is $125 per session ($135 after early registration deadline) and the suggested age for riders is those that are entering the 4th grade in the Fall.

Macho Mondays Mountain Bike Skills Camp for Men "will teach you the physical and mental skills on how to ride balanced, efficiently, fast and smooth."  If you're a guy that wants to develop your skills to become a more efficient and confident rider, then this is the camp for you.  There will be two sessions for the camp (June 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18, 25).  Cost is $65 per session ($75 after early registration deadline).

Downhill Divas Mountain Bike Skills Camp for Women is taught by women, for women.  This camp "is designed for riders who need guidance in building confidence and skills."  Beginner and intermediate riders will be taught core mountain biking skills during two available sessions (June 15, 22, 29 and July 13, 20, 27).  Cost is $65 per session ($75 after early registration deadline).

High School Hot Laps Mountain Bike Race Training is for those that want to "get a Jump on the High School Race Season with summer coaching at Buck Hill."  Sessions (June 14, 21, 28 and July 12, 19, 26) will be held on Tuesday nights from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.  These Hot Laps sessions are taught by trained coaches and will be open to all High School athletes looking to develop their mountain bike skills.  Cost is $65 per racer/per session (3 dates per session) ($75 after early registration deadline).

Mountain Bike Yoga will teach participants how it can help them "release tension and increase mobility in the hips, legs, back and shoulders, increase awareness of the muscles and body parts needed for biking, develop balance and core strength needed for mountain biking and free your body to make biking more dynamic, pleasurable and fun!!"  There will be two sessions (August 21 and September 11).  Cost is $40 per 3-hour session ($50 after early registration deadline).

Penn Cycle's 25th Season of Thursday Night at the Races Starts May 5th

Penn Cycle's long-standing tradition of mountain bike racing at Buck Hill returns in 2016 for the 25th season.  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.

"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.

If you've never raced before, this is your chance to give it a try.  The Beginner class race starts at 7:15 pm and only costs $5.  For the intermediate and advanced racers, $10 will gain you entry into the Advanced, Recreational or Fat Bike class races that start at 6:30 pm.  Registration for the races runs from 5:00-6:15 pm.

2016 Buck Hill Race Schedule

Series 1:  May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, June 2nd and 9th.

Series 2:  June 16th, 23rd, June 30th, July 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.

If you're still not convinced to join in on the fun this year, watch the video below for a week by week recap of the fun, thrills and competition of the 2014 races.

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.

Image Credit: Gal Alon

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 Thursday Night at the Races 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.

Twin Cities Winter Fatbike Season Wraps Up With King of the Hill Fat Bike Duel

Image Credit: Buck Hill/Penn Cycle

Buck Hill is one of the few spots left in the Twin Cities that still has snow remaining.  This Saturday, March 12th there will be fatbikes racing at Buck Hill for the King of the Hill Fat Bike Duel presented by Penn Cycle & Buck Hill.

Practice riding starts at 10:00am and racing at 11:30am.  Race format will be 4 racers with single elimination with the top two riders advancing.  Entry fee is $30 or $10 with a non-perishable food donation.  After the racing is completed there will be an open free ride until 4:30pm.  This will be your last chance to ride Winter downhill in the Twin Cities before Spring.  Don't miss it.  See the flyer below or visit the Facebook Event Page for full details.

Penn Cycle's Thursday Night at the Races Returns for 24th Year

Penn Cycle's long-standing tradition of mountain bike racing at Buck Hill returns in 2015 for the 24th season.  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.

"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 starts at 7:15 pm and only costs $5.  For the intermediate and advanced racers, $10 will gain you entry into the Advanced, Recreational or Fat Bike class races that start at 6:30 pm.  Registration for the races runs from 5:00-6:15 pm.

Start of the Fat Bike Class Race

  
2015 Buck Hill Race Schedule

Series 1:  May 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, June 4th and 11th
Series 2:  June 18th, 25th, (No race July 2nd), July 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th. Plus a potential make up race on Aug. 6th.

If you're still not convinced to join in on the fun this year, watch the video below for a week by week recap of the fun, thrills and competition of last year's races.

After the races, the adults take to the kid's course on kids bikes.  Watch the hilarity ensue as Pat shoots for the win.

Post by Penn Cycle.

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 Thursday Night at the Races 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. 

2014 Season Video Recap of Penn Cycle's Thursday Night at the Races Now on YouTube

Image Credit: Justin Williams Photos

Penn Cycle's Thursday Night at the Races has become a Thursday night summertime family tradition over the last 23 years.  What started out with 45 riders the very first night at Buck Hill a long time ago has grown and evolved into something truly special.  With the addition of kids races and adults racing on kids bikes over the years, it is a one-of-a-kind racing series.   

"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.





The video below is a week by week recap of the fun, thrills and competition of this year's series.  Stay tuned for a special thank you from Penn Cycle President Pat Sorensen at the end of the video.

The Penn Cycle Facebook page has more fun video shorts from this season of Thursday Night at the Races as well as a photo album from June 26th.  Scan through the Photostream for other pictures from this season, too.