Norcal Racing This Weekend: May 31 - June 4, 2006

There's racing at all corners of NorCal this weekend, with a little of something everywhere for everyone:

Tonight (WEDNESDAY) marks another Prairie City Race (PCRS#8). Riders do a varying amount of 4 mile laps (course varies weekly) depending on category. Registration starts at 4:15 PM and costs $25 (subsequent races cost $10). Make sure to come out to Prairie City (near Folsom, CA) for your midweek XC races.

SATURDAY brings us downhill madness at the Tish Tang Televison in Hopa, CA (near Arcata, CA) and steep XC climbing fun at the Peavine Challenge in Reno, NV. Tish Tang TV had to be rescheduled from last week, but promises to be another quality DH race. And best of all, its free. The Peavine Challenge is the third XC race in the Northern Nevada MTB Cup and is a US MTB National Championship qualifier. Expect 7 - 26 miles and 1200' to 4400' of climbing depending on your category. Peavine registration is held onsite and costs $25 for adults ($10 for juniors).

SUNDAY closes out the busy weekend with the return of two coastal classic XC series: CCCX (now number #5) and Billy Cross Races (Billy Cross #6). CCCX #5 restarts the season after a two month layoff, but you catch up with what you missed with this handy first half recap. Be ready for the fast course in Seaside, CA (near Monterey) as “laps will be between five and six miles … 3 laps for Beginners, 4 laps for Sport, 5 laps for Expert/Pro.” The race costs $30 ($15 for juniors) with registration onsite. Billy Cross Racing #6 returns back to the XC format and Bogg's Mountain (near Cobb, CA in the North Bay) after May's team marathon races.

But were not done! Sunday also features the Humbug Hurry-up way up north in Yreka, CA [ MAP ]. An XC race ranging from 9 - 24 miles (depending on ability), the Hurry-Up is now part of Breakaway Events 2006 Cross Country Series. Registration is $25 plus license and available onsite for a $5 fee.

For you downhillers looking to qualify for the US MTB Nationals, there is also a NORBA sanctioned qualfier in Santa Barbara this weekend. I'll post something later today or tomorrow on it.