MITCHELL — Beer drinking and competitive trail bike riding?
While it may seem like an odd mix, a group of local cycling enthusiasts are bringing a new event to the Lake Mitchell biking trails this summer dubbed Beers and Gears Mountain Bike Race that event organizers say could bring between 150 and 175 riders.
Cody Denne, owner of Ron’s Bike Shop, said the mountain bike race that’s slated for July 16 will be the first of its kind for the Mitchell community and eastern South Dakota.
“We have great trails around the lake to make this happen,” Denne said during the Monday, April 18 Mitchell City Council meeting. “We are trying something new to bring more people to Mitchell to try out our lake trails.”
The bike race is being spearheaded by the Palace City Pedalers and Ron’s Bike Shop in Mitchell.
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The “loop style race” will take place along the Lake Mitchell biking trails stretching from the northeast side of the lake and wrapping around the western half of the body of water.
“It will be a lap system with races that will be eight, 16 and 32 miles long,” Denne said. “We will break the groups down by experience levels to make things more competitive and fun.”
Riders will register on the night of July 15 at Blarney’s Sports Bar before the race and have an opportunity to greet one another over beers.
The race will utilize the Firesteel, Sandy Beach, Ceilia Pines, Camp Arroya and West Launch bike trails that wrap around a portion of the lake.
As an avid trail bike rider, Denne has competed in a mountain bike trail race. However, the race he took part in was in the Black Hills.
With a unique biking trail system in their own backyard , Denne and the Palace City Pedalers felt it’s time to bring a mountain bike race to Mitchell and the east side of the state.
“We have the longest trail system in the east side of the state,” Denne said of Mitchell’s biking trail system that spans roughly 20 miles around the lake. “Our trails are perfect for this type of race.”
Since being constructed roughly a decade ago, the Lake Mitchell biking and hiking trails have become a popular outdoor recreation area among many local bike riders and hikers.
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Members of the Palace City Pedalers and volunteers maintain the trails throughout the year, and Denne said they are in “prime shape” to host a race like the July 16 Beers and Gears Mountain Bike Race.
The event gained the Mitchell City Council’s support on Monday, as the council unanimously approved a special permit for the inaugural Beers and Gears Mountain Bike Race.
As part of the special event permit that was approved, the portion of the trails that the riders will be competing on will be closed for the morning and afternoon on July 16.
