CORBA Powderkeg Eau Claire Wisconsin

From our friends at CORBA (Chippewa Offroad Bike Association) on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at the Eau Claire Expo Center & Lowes Creek County Park, “Join us for another year of Powder Keg fun, as we explore the scenic trails of Lowes Creek County Park. Choose from a 5-mile snowshoe race, 2-mile snowshoe run/walk or, new this year, a challenging 1-hour snow bike race. We’re also bringing back the fun-filled Kids & Mascots Sprint for children 12 and under (FREE this year)! And when you’re not on the trails, warm up with free s’mores and a crackling fire. Whether you’re a veteran racer, a complete beginner of just a spectator, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Chippewa Valley Powder Keg, brought to you by CORBA and Eau Claire Bike & Sport.”

Of particular interest to fat-biker types is that part about the Snow Bike Race slated to start at 1:00PM. While the race format is not etched in stone, here are some details:

• The Snow Bike race will last approximately one hour.
• Race format may change depending on conditions, but expect short laps mainly on the trails packed down by the snowshoers who proceed you.
• There will be two race categories:
• One for fat bikes (with tires 3″ wide or bigger)
• One for nonfat bikes (tires less than 3″ wide)
• Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

If you want to engage on some of that there “cross training” consider the Snowshoe Races earlier in the day.

Snowshoers can expect a mix of groomed and ungroomed singletrack and doubletrack, with a handful of short-but-steep hills thrown in for good measure. Medals will be awarded to overall male and female winners and top male and female racers in each age group of the 5 and 2-mile snowshoe races. Don’t have your own snowshoes? Don’t let that stop you. We’ll have some snowshoes on-hand for those who want to try the sport or just join in the fun with their snowshoeing friends. Snowshoes are first-come-first-served, though, so don’t dawdle.

All the details are at http://chippewaoffroad.org/events/powderkeg.