Big Bear Lake, CA, June 18, 2014 – The Big Bear Cycling Association (BBCA) has announced the inaugural Big Bear Cycling Festival, running July 26 through August 3, 2014. The festival will celebrate all riding levels and disciplines–whether road, mountain or recreational.
BBCA President Craig Smith points out the uniqueness of this kind of event in the U.S.: “There is no other festival or event that positions itself as celebrating all types of cyclists and provides nine days of competitive races, long-distance rides and family-oriented opportunities.”
Two race events will open and close the Big Bear Cycling Festival with a splash: the Big Bear MTB Gran Fondo & Grizzly 100 on July 25 and Tour de Big Bear on August 2. Tour de Big Bear is an organized and supported road ride that for the 5th year will provide more than 2000 cyclists the option to ride 25, 50, 70 or 100 mile distances in and around the Big Bear Lake valley. The Big Bear MTB Gran Fondo & Grizzly 100 will offer four supported distances, including the 100K, 70K, 30K and a lift-served 20K recreational mountain bike–all over a combination of Forest Service fire road and single track.
In between these bookends, the Festival will offer plenty of free rides and family-friendly activities, an evening sunset ride with post party at local area micro-brew, an afternoon at the Snow Summit Bike Adventure Park, Time Trials, a Poker Ride and more.
Big Bear Lake has a long history with cycling, starting with hosting premiere mountain bike races like NORBA Nationals and US CUP in the 1990s. While mountain biking is still a draw – Snow Summit ski resort has opened its Adventure Park bike park for the season – road cycling has made its mark. Big Bear Lake has hosted two AMGEN Tour of California stages, and is the location for the Redlands Bicycle Classic time trails.
