September 30 - October 2
Sponsored by MVSTA, Methow Cycle and Sport and our Summer Event Sponsors
Welcome to the 25th Annual Methow Valley Fall Bike Festival. This popular Fall festival showcases incredible bike rides, events, and recreational activities for the entire family.
The Fall Bike Festival showcases the Methow Valley's superb mountain bike trails with everything from smooth dirt tracks to glorious high alpine single track. Road riders will enjoy spinning on the hundreds and hundreds of miles of lightly traveled back roads and everyone will relish in the magnificent Fall colors.
Featured this year will be the Trials Stars Demo Team
from British Columbia
RAFFLE: A custom CURTLO bike frame, made by local frame builder, Doug Curtis will be given away on Sunday. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are available at the MVSTA office in Winthrop through Friday, September 30th and will be sold at the Winthrop Barn venue all day Saturday and at the film showing on October 1st. Tickets will also be available Sunday at the Mazama venue and the drawing to be held at the awards presentation after the Kids XC Bike Race. Tickets cost $2.50 each or 5 for $10.00. Odds of winning depend on the number of tickets sold. Graciously donated by CURTLO bikes.
See below for the full schedule of events:
Schedule of Events:
Friday, September 30
Bike the Methow!
The Methow Valley has incredible biking opportunities for the whole family: road rides through some of North Central Washington’s most inviting scenery,awesome mountain bike rides for all different skill levels, and challenging cyclocross rides.
Film Night and Rendezvous
From 7:30 p.m. on at the Twisp River Pub
Meet up with friends and fellow riders. Enjoy a meal and handcrafted brews or just stop by for the 8:00 p.m. movie at one of the valley's favorite eatery and watering hole.
Saturday, October 1
The Winthrop Red Barn and Park will be "Bike Central" - your location for ride departures and afternoon activities.
Bike the Methow!
Choose from three mountain bike Shuttle Rides and two road rides showcasing the valleys riding opportunities. All rides will originate and finish at the Winthrop Barn parking lot. Rides are not guided. Specific shuttles and road rides will have meeting times for departure and once on the trail or road course groups can form up and can enjoy at their desired pace.
Shuttle rides:
Starvation Mountain / Blue Buck Trail
Very Difficult - Limit 20 riders
The Starvation Mountain ride is one of the legendary Methow mountain bike routes. Beginning at about 7000ft, riders are treated to panoramic views of the North Cascades and Chelan Sawtooth mountains. The ride drops off the north end of Starvation Mountain and then climbs a saddle which defines the descent to Beaver Meadows and the beginning of Blue Buck Creek trail.
Once on the Blue Buck trail riders enter the burn area from the 2006 Tripod fire and are treated to miles of challenging but sweet singletrack, while gradually descending towards Lightning Creek. After a few miles the trail becomes loose and skirts a side-hill requiring skill and undivided concentration. Use caution!
Shortly after riders cross Blue Buck Creek the trail merges with the lower section of Lightning Creek for the final descent into Beaver Creek. The last section of the ride is a mix of gravel road and tsingletrack over and through the Pipestone Canyon area and finally down to the valley floor and into Winthrop.
7:30 a.m. - $65*
*Fees include hearty potato bar and evening movie admission
Registration
Online registration is now open. Click on the link
Day of registration for available slots will be Saturday Morning starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center
Buck Mountain Trail
Intermediate+ - Limit 45 riders
Buck Mountain offers a complete mountain bike experience set northwest of Winthrop. Riders will get dropped off above the traditional Buck Mountain singletrack at Banker Pass and will ride all the way down to Winthrop. After completing the Buck Mountain trail, riders will make their way down through lower Rendezvous on a combination of gravel road and singletrack, ultimately finishing in town. This ride offers lots of rolling terrain defined by flowing single track, amazing views, and fast twisty descents. For the intermediate or better rider! 20+ miles
8:30 a.m.- $55*
*Fees include hearty potato bar and evening movie admission
Registration
Online registration is now open. Click on the link
Day of registration for available slots will be Saturday Morning starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center
Sun Mountain / Thompson Pass Trails -
Moderate to Difficult - Limit 20 riders
The Sun Mountain trail system offers a wide variety of trails to choose from. The choice for families and riders looking for a moderate to difficult experience. Riders will have a choice of the Chickadee Trailhead or on to Thompson Pass for a start.
Lots of alternative routes that will bring you back to the Winthrop trail and then back into Winthrop via Twin Lakes Rd
11:00 a.m. - $ 30*
*Fees include shuttle transportation, hearty potato bar, and evening movie admission
Registration
Online registration is now open. Click on the link
Day of registration for available slots will be Saturday Morning starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center
Road Rides - Tour de Methow:
Explore the Methow Valley on your bike along the Chewuch River then following the Methow River to Carlton and back along the highway and back roads through alfalfa and hay fields with your choice of a 35 or 70 mile course. Those wishing to ride in a group will meet up with fellow riders at the prescribed meeting area at the posted starting time for a group departure. Detailed maps will be provided.
35 mile Road Course
9:30 a.m. - $15*
70 mile Road Course
8:00 a.m.- $15*
*Fees include hearty potato bar and evening movie admission
Flat & Chain Repair Clinic
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Methow Cycle and Sport - $15
Learn to change a flat tire by either patching the tube or replacing the tube, as well as how to repair a broken chain. Bring your bike and, if you them, a chain tool, spare tube, patch kit.tire levers. Sponsored by Methow Cycle and sport.
Limited to 15 participants.
Registration
Online registration is now open. Click on the link
Day of registration for available slots will be Saturday Morning starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center
Potato Bar, Beer Garden, Exhibitors, Try Bikathon, Trials Demo Team, Raffle Tickets, Clinic, Sunday Event Registration
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Park
Recover from the day's activities and whet your appetite for dinner. Everyone registered for Saturday rides is invited to enjoy a hearty potato bar lunch at the Winthrop Barn (price included in registration). This year the potato bar is hosted by the Jr. Ski Team as a Championship Fundraiser.Tickets for family and friends ($8.00 adult; $5.00 children 12 and under) available on site. In addition relax and enjoy the Beer Garden with friends. The Methow Valley Biathlon Team will have an information booth and pre-registration for the Bikathlon event on Sunday (see Sunday's events). Tickets for the Custom Curtlo Bike frame will be available all day. Visit with exhibitors and don't miss the Trial Stars Demonstration Team.
Ski Team 'Championship Fundraiser' - The proceeds from the potato bar and food booth will be going to the Jr Ski Teams Championship fund. This fund helps local Jr racers attand and particiapate in championships throughout the Pacific Northwest Region.
Trials Stars Demo Team from British Columbia!
NEW THIS YEAR, the feature event of the Fall Bike Festival is Trials Stars. The Trials Stars Demo Team consists of two of North America's top ranked bike trials riders, Jeff Anderson and Alex Le. They have traveled the world competing in international trials competitions. You will not want to miss their world class skills and mind blowing tricks! The action of bike trials is to ride with complete control over the bike. The rider uses balance, power and endurance along with various techniques to traverse the chosen path. Bring the video camera, you will not want to miss this!
2 - 4 p.m.at the Winthrop Park. Show time at 2:00 p.m. Bring your bike for a very special opportunity to try trials riding under the guidance of Jeff and Alex. Test your handling skills. Can you do what these guys can do? Riders 13 years old and over are welcome. This Event is free!
Kid's Bike Rodeo
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.at the Winthrop Barn Park
A favorite for your budding bike rider. A great way to give children 10 and under an opportunity to learn basic skills on a small trail course next to the Winthrop Barn Park. Helmet inspection sponsored by Aero Methow and bike safety check sponsored by Methow Cycle and Sport. Children's helmets can be obtained through Aero Methow for a small donation. Additional sponsors are the Winthrop Red Apple Market and Winthrop KOA Campground. Snacks and goodie bags for all participants. Free - no need to pre-register; just bring the kids
Film Night Social PEDAL-DRIVEN - a Bikeumentary
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Winthrop Red Barn
Join your friends, families, and newly made friends from earlier in the day for a Mountain Bike Feature Film. We will be hosting the full feature length version of the film Pedal Driven. This too was shown last year and won the “Directors Choice” award. It won this award when the film wasn’t even completed! Last year we showed only a short section of the film and it still won! So this year’s 63 minute full length version will be great. This film is a non-profit endeavor that supports mountain biking trails in the Pacific Northwest. The film has won a number of awards at various film festivals. Cold Beer and other refreshments available and free popcorn. There will be a raffle at intermission for fun prizes. Admission included in Saturday ride registration; at the door admission is $7.00 for adults
(as a donation to MVSTA's work on the trails) and free for children 14 and younger.
Sunday, October 2
Try Bike-athlon
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Try Biathlon before the snow falls! Methow Valley Biathlon is hosting a Bike-athlon Sunday October 2nd from 10-1pm. Participants will receive coaching on shooting technique and will have the opportunity to practice before competing in a short course Bike-athlon event. Groups of 1-8 participants will compete in a friendly, timed, bike, shoot, bike, event.
Cost is $20/person and participants must be 9 years of age or older.
Participants can pre-register on Saturday, October 1st from 2-4pm at the Methow Valley Fall Bike Festival grounds. More information can be found at methowvalleybiathlon.com
Kids' Cross Country Bike Race
11:30 a.m. start at the Mazama Community Center Trailhead
Two courses:
approx 2Km - Younger kids (~~5 to 8 years old)
approx 8Km - Older Kids (~~9 to 12 years old)
$10 - registration online and Saturday and Sunday mornings
Registration
Online registration is now open. Click on the link
Day of registration for available slots will be Saturday Morning starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Winthrop Barn and Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center
Awards Ceremony and Curtlo Raffle
Join us for the kids race awards and Curtlo Raffle on the lawn after the the finish - approx 1:15 p.m..
Bike the Methow!
Road, Mountain or Cyclocross ride on your own or with newly made friends from the Festival. Mazama is a great launch area for all the upper valley ride opportunities. MVSTA will have a information kiosk at the Mazama Community Center Trail head with rider info and maps.
Cutthroat Lake: Travel west from Mazama to the Cutthroat lake trailhead for your start and finish and a great singletrack experience. One can ride to Cutthroat Lake for a 5 mile loop or all the way to Cutthroat Pass for a 10 mile loop. Afterwards, return and relax in Mazama for refreshments and food.
Lunch Rides: Travel with family and friends on the Community Trail town to
Wesola-Polana (near Brown's Farm trailhead) for lunch or brunch and a 10.5 mile loop.
- or -
Choose any of the possible loop rides on MVSTA trails out of Mazama and return to the Mazama Store for a full selection of refreshments and food.
Road Rides: Choose from many loops starting and finishing in Mazama. Washington Pass for the hearty and adventurous, out lost river for a view of the Methow River and Lost River, or down valley past the Big Valley Ranch to Winthrop and back. Afterwards, return to the Mazma Store or Wesola-Polana for some refeshements and food.
On Your own -
Road
Rides - All weekend long
Come and explore the Methow and lower Okanogan Valleys on your
bike. Free road maps will be provided all weekend long with detailed course map directions. A few of the routes to choose from are: the Tour de Methow along the
Chewuch River, follows the Twisp River to Carlton and back along
the highway and back roads through alfalfa and hay fields 
(approximately
35 or 70 miles). Click
here for the map and directions.
Or use your pedal power on the Tour d' Okanogan Century. The 100-mile route meanders from Winthrop to Twisp, up over the Loup Loup Mountain Pass (4300’) into Malott, down to Brewster and back up the valley to Winthrop.** There is a road construction project on the Old 97 portion of this ride for about 2.5 miles. The road surface will be rough through this section.
Click here for the map and directions.
Mountain Bike Rides - All weekend long
The Methow Valley has some of the most spectacular mountain bike rides in North America! A listing of favorite Methow Valley mountain bike rides can be found here.
Participants:
General
Info: 
INFORMATION: call the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association @509-996-3287
or e-mail us at events@mvsta.com
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS, because they support the bike festival. Thanks!
