Cyclists set to Stampede into Sisters

Cyclists from across the Pacific Northwest will roll into town this weekend for the annual Sisters Stampede Mountain Bike Race, set for Sunday, May 28.

The Sisters Stampede is sanctioned by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association and runs on the Peterson Ridge trail network. The trails were built by the Sisters Trails Alliance. The race course features mountain views and rolling singletrack scattered with lava rock.

The start/finish will be located just west of the FivePine campus, where Three Creeks Brewing Co. will be launching a "Ridge Trail" ale for the event and will host the after-race party.

The race offers $1,000 cash prizes for top three men and women - either pro or expert. Other category winners will get a 21-oz. mug, custom tote bag, and other prizes from sponsors. There will be a raffle after the awards.

"The Stampede always draws a big field, a competitive field," said competitive cyclist Andrew Loscutoff.

However, he noted, the majority of riders are out for fun, and represent a range of experience and expertise.

"The course is really friendly for riders of all abilities," he said. "The biggest draw is for people from out of the area who want to come ride in Central Oregon - get out of the mud."

Loscutoff said that trail conditions are very good, thanks in part to the high level of moisture that the area has received.

"The trails are in really good shape right now," he said.

Race events kick off at 9 a.m. with the start of the men's novice category. Elite men jump off at 11:25 a.m. and elite women start five minutes later. The awards ceremony is set for 3 p.m.

For information and to see if registration is still available, visit sistersstampede.com.