With
the generous assistance of Matt Sluski and Niels Smidth, the Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo Wheelmen are prepared to host a thrilling mountain bike race weekend, on
Nov. 1-2.
Cross-country, short track
cross-country, dual slalom and downhill events will be taking place at the “Dirt
Club,” in Santa Ynez, which happens to be a brief 45 minute drive from the Cal
Poly campus.
Sluski is the official race
director, for the weekend of mountain bike races.
Smidth is a fifth year at Cal Poly,
who has been involved with the Wheelmen for four years. Smidth, a former
president of the Wheelmen organization, is lending a hand in the planning,
development and advertising of the upcoming race weekend.
“I got involved two years ago
helping make the race happen and I have gotten more involved each year,” said
Smidth.
The shopping list of activities to
host the race weekend includes approval from Cal Poly, guaranteeing insurance,
seeking sponsorship and promoting the event. Not all of the tasks are glamorous
but Smidth, among others, is taking initiative.
The Wheelmen community is needed to
make this a successful weekend. “On the race weekend, we will need lots of
helpful volunteers,” said Smidth.
Although serious and willing
volunteers are needed, the weekend will not be all work and no play.
The cross-country course has “lots
of fun singletrack descents,” while the dual slalom course offers “big berms
and jumps,” said Smidth. Downhill racing will fit an enduro style format. The
timing of two courses will be combined for an overall placement.
The “Dirt Club” promises to be
entertaining on Halloween weekend. An unofficial costume contest is in the
works for the short track cross-country race.
“Since there will be plenty of
Halloween candy around at this time, I plan on getting hand ups to the racers
on some steep sections of the cross country course,” said
Smidth.
The Wheelmen will certainly provide
spirited activity. Nov. 1-2 marks the annual Wheelmen mountain bike race
weekend.
