How’s your trail game? Whatcom World Cup races return to Galbraith Mountain
The fifth annual Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition Whatcom World Cup races are right around the corner.
The event includes nine races that are scheduled for every Wednesday from May 6 to July 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Galbraith Mountain. Located between Sudden Valley and Bellingham, Galbraith hosts 70 miles of trails, most used for mountain biking.
Although it is called a world cup, the races are geared toward locals who want to get out on the trails in a “competitive environment,” even though the winners only really earn bragging rights, WMBC President Eric Brown told The Bellingham Herald.
“It’s mostly about measuring your time against your buddies and having fun at the end,” he said.
Each race brings an average of about 140 riders, although about twice a year the race reaches the cap of 200 riders, according to Brown.
Racers can sign up online in advance through the WMBC website anytime before the race as long as there is an opening available. Brown said some people have even signed up in person prior to a race, but WMBC would much prefer having people register days in advance. Registration opens the Thursday before the race for season pass holders and the Saturday before the race for the general public.
Registration costs $30 for each race ($20 for WMBC members), which grants people access to the race, as well as food and a drink ticket for the after party that follows each race.
Food is usually provided by the sponsors of the world cup. In the past, the food was mainly a hot dog, but that has evolved over the years to include carnitas tacos, barbecue and other more intricate prepared meals.
“Hot dogs are the minimum nowadays. It’s usually a lot more than that,” Brown said. “Sponsors have really started to step up in that regard. … That’s kinda even been a little bit of a competition between sponsors, on the food.”
The races are open to people of all ages, including kids. Racers are sent down the course in three groups; children, women and then men.
“I think you would be surprised what kids can ride these days. There are some pretty, talented young riders in our community these days,” Brown said.
Parents are encouraged to do a couple of practice runs on the trails with their kids before race day to make sure they are comfortable racing it, Brown said. Even if they are comfortable, parents are allowed to race down with their kids to make sure they are safe.
The races would not be possible without volunteers, and the WMBC is always looking for more of them. Volunteers’ jobs include assigning tracking chips to racers, keeping the trail clear of other riders (the race trails are closed to the public during the race) and doing whatever else is required of them throughout the race, Brown said.
Brown said there have been talks to host races on Galbraith for decades, but it wasn’t possible until May 2022 following an easement with the city and the construction of a large parking lot on Samish Way to the south of the mountain.
The races are every Wednesday afternoon from May 6 to July 1 with each race on a different trail.
- May 6: Golden Spike Trail (Costume theme: Gold and sparkles)
- May 13: Pump Tack/Eagle Scout/A-dog trails (Costume theme: Animal print)
- May 20: Air Chair Trail (Costume theme: Rock ‘n’ roll)
- May 27: SST Trail (Costume theme: Sequins and tutus)
- June 3: Scorpion/Das/Irish Death trails (Costume theme: Green/luck of the Irish)
- June 10: Stinky Dual-uxe Dual Slalom trail (Costume theme: Twinning)
- July 17: Happy Hour Upper and Lower trails (Costume theme: Cocktail attire/Dress your best)
- June 24: Blue Ribbon Trail (Costume theme: Canadian Tuxedo/all denim)
- July 1: SST Chainless Trail (Costume theme: Party shirts)
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