Last weekend, the Master of the Mass, a three-day mountain biking battle took place on one of the toughest courses in Colorado. Snowmass Village, in conjunction with Aspen Ski Co, hosted this professional and amateur race on one of the few mountain biking trails in Colorado with four thousand feet of continuous descending terrain.
Unlike many mountain bike races throughout the country, the Master of the Mass allows competitors only one bike to complete the entire 8,000 vertical feet of the race. Terrain includes downhill and super-downhill, chainless downhill and cross-country.
Friday afternoon, July 13th, racers took part in the Super-Downhill time trial at 4 p.m. This first stage contained a drop of 3,500 feet over the course of 8.5 miles. This descent is the longest lift served descent in the entire U.S., offering riders a rare and adrenaline pumped ride.
Early Saturday morning, 9 a.m., the Cross-Country stage of the race took place on familiar Snowmass trails such as, Easy Rider, Government, Village Bound and Cross Mountain. This stage contained 9 miles of 2,300 feet of vertical descent.
After a break for lunch and a small rest, racers got back on their bikes Saturday evening at 4 p.m. to participate in the Chainless Downhill, another time trial. This race began at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola and descended the Valhalla Trail. Across the finish line at Base Camp, a DJ and party awaited racers and spectators.
Sunday morning, July 15th, the Downhill time trial kicked off at 11 a.m. In this stage each racer will had one run down the Pro Downhill course from the Top of Village Express chairlift to Base Village. After a breathtaking demonstration of speed and agility during this final stage of the race, an award ceremony followed recognizing the racers and celebrating the completion of the race in the Snowmass Base Village.
Competitors in all divisions were automatically registered to win a 2013 Giant Reign bike at the closing of the events. One lucky competitor had the ride of his/her life and has a bike to show for it as well.
Bikers new to downhill, or wanting to break into the scene were encouraged to participate in the open division in order to gain experience on this tough, one-of-a-kind course.
Between races the entire course was open most of the weekend for those wanting to try out the course without committing to the competition. A lift pass was required to get up to the trails, and for all competitors, separate from their registration fee.
For mountain bike racers or fans of the sport, the Master of the Mass serves as a great pre-curser to the Power of Four Mountain Bike Race to be held August 25th over the course of all four of Aspen and Snowmass Village’s beautiful and challenging mountains.
Between these two races, grab your bike, and get out to experience the breathtaking trails in Snowmass Village and Aspen! Then, take a moment to view homes and residences in Snowmass Village and Aspen with easy access to great bike trails in the summer, and fabulous skiing and snowboarding the winter. Click here today!