MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: FALL TILT

01 Oct MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: FALL TILT

October is the time of year when turning leaves signal cooler mountain air. It also means the end of a busy bike season in the San Juans.

For those who want to squeeze in one last event before the snow flies, Mountain Village has got your back. The fourth annual Fall Tilt in Telluride returns Friday, October 5 – Saturday, October 6. The cash purse totals $5,000.

“Every year the caliber of riders that come out to celebrate with Mountain Village is impressive,” said Mountain Village Community Relations Manager Nichole Zangara. “The town is invested in mountain biking and we look for every opportunity possible to share our passion for the sport with other like-minded riders.”

Fall Tilt is capped at 40 on-course riders, which translates to over 60 competitors on race day.  Friday night, October 5 is a mandatory meeting. Race day runs 8 a.m.  – 8 p.m. and riders must travel on the gondola both days.

Prior to the start of the race, each rider must complete at least one course inspection. Winners in each class and category are determined by the total number of laps completed in a 12-hour period. There are no ties. CJ Sports Timing clocks every lap for every rider to determine the winners in case of a tie. Riding after dark requires the use of approved front-mounted bike lights. If a rider intends to run the last hours of the race and does not have an adequate lighting system, he or she won’t be allowed on the course.

Currently, Fall Tilt registration is available online at BikeReg.com. Registration ends on the 5th at 5 p.m. Participation fees range from $75 – $180 and include event registration, race plate, on-site hospitality, and event after-party. Classes and categories include open and amateur solo, duo and trio teams. Team class is based on best-rider-on-team skill level. Only one rider per duo and trio team is allowed on the course at any given time. As for the pretty cash purse, the amount, once again, is set at $5,000 and the cash will be paid to top finishers – first, second and third place – in the open class and for all categories. Last but not least, every rider gets an opportunity to win a killer swag at the awards ceremony, compliments of the event’s sponsors.

The Fall Tilt race course, all within the Mountain Village Bike Park, is comprised of five adjacent downhill trails that will be used simultaneously from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is up to the rider which trail he or she uses for each downhill lap.

“Riders can expect some new trails like Gold Rush, which will be a fun addition and help keep 12 hours of riding from getting too repetitive,” said Race Director Jon Tracy. “With the World Cup Trail being one of the faster courses in the park, if you want to be a top finisher you will want to ride this trail. Last year the top finishers completed 76 laps. That translated to 228 big jumps in the course of a day … pretty incredible.”

To keep the course safe for riders and spectators, the race course is taped and marked, closed to the general public, and patrolled and marshaled. Tech support tents and support staff are available in the vicinity of the finish line. Riders are responsible for their own repair and equipment replacement.

For more information regarding the race, schedule, registration and lodging, please check out the details at www.falltiltintelluride.com. (Elevation Vacations and The Peaks Resort & Spa are offering Fall Tilt-only discounted lodging packages.)

To volunteer as a course marshal on Saturday, October 6, contact Recreational Specialist Jon Tracy at jtracy@mtnvillage.org. Each volunteer will receive lunch and the chance to win raffle prizes totaling more than $1,000.

Finally, key players in the success of Fall Tilt  deserve a big thanks. Event sponsors are: Town of Mountain Village, Mountain Village Bike Park, Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, BootDoctors & Paragon Sports, Dakine, Telluride Gravity Works, San Miguel Bike Alliance, Hotel Madeline Telluride, Smak Bar, The Market at Mountain Village, Wells Fargo, Hotel Columbia and New Sheridan Hotel.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Mountain Village, situated in the heart of the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, was incorporated in 1995 as a home rule municipality.  Its founders envisioned a European-style ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian-friendly destination resort that would complement the historic mining town of Telluride. A three-stage gondola transportation system connects the Town of Mountain Village with the Town of Telluride. Situated at 9,500 feet, Mountain Village is comparably a world apart from other resorts: it is innately spectacular, beautifully orchestrated and planned, and overflowing with style, charm and sophistication.

For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.townofmountainvillage.com.