The Jurassic Classic Mountain Bike Festival returns to Lander this week and through the weekend (August 23 – 26).
The festival aims to be about more than trail riding, as it works to build community, tout local shops, share art, fill restaurants, and celebrate the culture of Lander. Last year was the inaugural for the event and it exceeded expectations as it sold 120 tickets with approximately half of those attendees visiting from out-of-town.
The Jurassic Classic began as a local mountain bike race in 2012. In order to grow the excitement and participation, the Lander Cycling Club decided to turn 2017’s event into a festival instead of a race. In turning the focus to camaraderie and community rather than competition, the event will appeal to a wider range of people, from mountain bike enthusiasts to new riders and kids. It will allow for mountain bikers to have fun and celebrate our sport, but also communicate to the larger community that mountain biking – and the trail systems developed by mountain bikers – provides a significant economic benefit to Lander, therefore being beneficial to those who live here regardless of whether they recreate on our local trails.
The JCMBF will take place in multiple areas throughout Lander during the weekend. New for 2018, there will be a night ride under a full moon on Thursday night following the Lander Live concert. Friday’s activities will include a check-in at the Lander Bake Shop and group ride with demo bikes at Johnny Behind the Rocks. After the group ride attendees will convene at the Lander Bake Shop for a film, drinks, and camaraderie before heading over to the Lander Bar/Cowfish patio for a live band. Saturday starts with yoga and a breakfast before group rides, clinics, demos, and shuttles leave out from Bruce’s parking lot in Sink’s Canyon. After everyone has a great day enjoying our trails, the party moves to North Park in Lander for an afternoon of fun and a trade fair and shenanigans similar to the International Climber’s Festival. Along with bike industry tents, there is a plan to have local shops and vendors present. There will be live music and fun bike entertainment for all ages. Sunday will start with breakfast at the bake shop to be followed with a trip out to Johnny Behind the Rocks to build a new trail.