Short-track bicycle racing slated at Cooper Spur

PARKDALE, Ore. — Three days of short track mountain bike racing begins Friday at Cooper Spur ski area on the north side of Mount Hood.

On Friday, there will be a family fun race at 6 p.m. to give riders a chance to get use to the course and prepare for Saturday and Sunday events.

The course is about a mile. It is fairly technical featuring combination of single-track trails, grassy areas, technical turns, side hills, obstacles, climbs and fast, flat sections of dirt. It is designed to be rideable and not force participants to dismount, although that’s an option.

The course is at about 3,500 feet elevation with a 60-foot vertical climb and drop on each lap.

Thee will be 24 classes in the event. Advance registration is available through the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association website. Day-of-race registration is $15 for riders younger than age 18 and $25 for riders 18 and older.

Event registration information also can be found at http://cooperspur.com/events.