Are you a fan of mud, adrenaline, and mountain biking? The Mudslinger XC Mountain Bike Race has got you covered and is just around the corner. Now in its 26th year, the event is Oregon’s oldest cross country race, and is happening on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. The race starts in Blodgett, an unincorporated part of Philomath about 18 miles west of Corvallis, at the local elementary school, and goes towards Newport. Its participants range from age 10 to 72 and come from as far away as San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C. This race is a must-attend for local mountain biking enthusiasts.
The prerequisites include being comfortable riding one to two hours at a time, and you must have your own bike and helmet. Depending on weather, rain gear or other layers may be necessary. The race is located in the Tum Tum unit of Starker Forest and consists of a two-mile hill climb followed by two course options. The short one is 11 miles with a little over 1,500 feet of elevation and takes just over an hour, while the longer one is 20 miles with a little over 3,000 feet of elevation and can take up to three hours to ride. The event website, http://mudslingerxc.com/, has maps for all the courses.
All participants can take advantage of a free massage before or after the ride on Sunday. Everyone will also be treated to a pasta dinner. With entrance fees starting at $20 and no permit fee required to ride in the forest, this course is recommended for first-time riders looking to gain experience with mountain bike racing, as well as seasoned veterans.
By Catherine Stevens
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