Ben hawes xc mtb race; owensboro, ky; august 5th

[nick]

some purpose built trails to race on should be a good time for all levels of racer from beginner to pro.  Come on out on August 5th to Owensboro, Ky to the inaugural mtb race on the new trails at Ben Hawes City Park.  These trails have been designed and helped built by non other than Alex Stewart from Spectrum trail designs.  if you have riding the flowy swoopy fast berms at brown county sp in Nashville, In and like its (who doesn't???) then you will love this place.  More info to come soon on http://xccrider1.wix.com/kentuckypointseries#!__main-menu.

[ricdix]

BH race flyer posted up on the KPS site:

http://xccrider1.wix.com/kentuckypointseries#!__main-menu/ben-hawes-race-info

Course Description:
Fun, fast, rolling course with only one challenging climb. To give you an idea of the speed/time the average CAT 2 should turn about a 40 min lap.
The single-track trail was designed and constructed by KyMBA and the City of Owensboro working with Alex Stewart of Spectrum Trail Design.

Directions:
From Owensboro take HWY 60 West past the Ben Hawes Park main entrance on Booth Field Road. Continue traveling west on HWY 60 towards Overstreet Road. The parking lot and trail head is located at the old George H. Rudy Mines and Saw Mill. North side of HWY 60 West.
Latitude   37.78645343442073
Longitude   -87.20157623291015

[criplecreek]

What is the best way to get there from Louisville? US 60? And can someone suggest a hotel possibly that would be convenient. might be comeing in on Friday and spend the weekend.   

[ericoneal]

I take I64 West, and get off at 231S in "Dale".

[nick]

yep the dale exit is the best now that it goes all the way through. 

as far as hotels, nothing is really that far away.  closest will be sleep inn at us60 and the us60bypass.  Holiday inn express at hwy 81 and us60bypass would be possibly a little newer than the sleep in and has a pool outside.  then the ramada is kinda older and may be cheaper on west end of 2nd street but has an indoor pool and a bar (actually 2 right there close).  That's the closest 3.

lots of out of town folks pick fairfield inn on frederica.  its newer and in the middle of plenty of restaurants but may be more on the expensive end possibly?

[nick]

also if your staying the weekend.  owensboro has their dragon boat festival on saturday.  Nothing to crazy but a little cross cultural festivities, food, and watching people almost drown in dragon boats (about 20 folks in one canoe with oars rowing to capture a flag upstream in the ohio).  I assume its still going to be at english park this year as i haven't heard otherwise.

[criplecreek]

thanks

[ricdix]

Pre-registration is open! Sign up early and save a few bucks.

https://www.usacycling.org/register/2012-2931

Our sponsors are really stepping up to the plate. Plus there’s talk of adding a few more sponsors making the event even better!

[criplecreek]

Anybody headed to Owensboro the day before? We'll be there Sat afternoon to ride some, wondering if the course might already be marked by then?

[ricdix]

Yes, we'll be marking the course on Saturday. Not sure what time? It'll depend on on our volunteer schedules and weather. Hope to see you there!

[antslow]

Does rain postpone?

[ricdix]

We certainly hope not but... we don't want anyone to get hurt and we don't want to ruin a new trail either.
Its crazy, we've been in a drought and needed rain for weeks. We received a 2.5 inch gully washer last night. Biggest rain since September 2011. Volunteers had limbs removed and the trail was firm by 11:00 am this morning. Unfortunately, there's a cold front passing thru over night Saturday night into Sunday morning. There's talk of it being a sever weather event. We'll just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed.

[JoelN]

Volunteers had limbs removed

[criplecreek]

Thanks for the update,keep us posted

[ricdix]

Yesterday's storms split up and just missed us. Hopefully today's cold front will do the same. Just a trace overnight.