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(Las Vegas, Nev.) Sept. 13, 2011 – Imagine one of the largest one-day cash purses in mountain biking history. Sinuous flowing single track trails though the Prescott National Forest. Live music. Southwestern hospitality. And the history of cowboys, miners, gamblers and brawlers who put the “wild” in Wild West. Blend together. That’s the recipe for the 9th Annual Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Bike Event in Prescott,Arizona, April 27-29, 2012. Tucson, Arizona-based Epic Rides raises the purse to a whopping $30,000 for 2012. What’s more, that $30,000 cash prize will be distributed evenly between male and female competitors for a unique equal payout in the world of bike racing.
“After a successful first year hosting a pro category, we are excited to raise the bar once again,” said Todd Sadow, President of Epic Rides. “Last year was a $20,000 purse. Now, in 2012 we are up to $30,000. This is among the biggest single day pro cash purse in the mountain biking worldwide” he added.
Winners confirmed to return and defend titles include Chris Sheppard (male) of TeamRocky Mountain and Pua Mata (female) of Team Sho-Air.
“The ‘Whiskey’ should be the template for every weekend mountain bike race in North America. Community, road closures, gnarly trail, flowy trail, rock, sand, music and views.”
– Chris Sheppard, Team Rocky Mountain, 1st place inaugural Whiskey Pro Men’s Category
“It is so inspiring to find a community like Prescott that supports sporting events with so much enthusiasm and has a genuine interest in promoting the growth of trail riding and active lifestyles both for their residents and visitors.”
– Catharine Pendrel, Team LUNA Chix, 2011 UCI Female World Champion; 2nd place Whiskey Pro Women’s Category
Epic Rides anticipates 1,750 riders (1,600 amateurs/150 professionals) participating in three solid days of racing, riding and celebrating all things mountain biking. At 5,400 feet elevation, Prescott offers crisp spring mornings with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s. Historic Prescott, Arizona looks much like it did in the 1870’s, when it was named capital of the Arizona Territory. The same courthouse stands in the town square to host vendors and live music during the Whiskey Off-Road weekend. Adjoining “Whiskey Row,” so named for revelry in the 1800s, once boasted no less than 40 saloons. Now, more than 100 years later this infamous strip of downtown Prescott still serves libations to wet any 21st Century appetite.
The weekend will kick off with a pro level fat tire Criterium, a well appointed industry vendor and tech expo boasting over 65 vendors, and a beginner level “15 proof” fun ride on Friday (one proof = 1 mile). Saturday will present a complete day of amateur riding in the 25 and 50 proof distances complimented by live music on the courthouse lawn and a full schedule of family-friendly events and activities centrally located in downtown Prescott. The showdown for thecash purse begins Sunday morning. The pro and amateur 50 milers will ride the same course.
The Whiskey Off-Road course presents participants with an authentic mountain bike experience including an abundance of quality technical singletrack combined with very legitimate climbing and descending on a variety of terrains. Now in its 9th year, the “Whiskey,” as it is known, is an event capable of entertaining everyone, including non-riding families, kids and friends. With all event activities based in a centralized downtown location only 1.5 hours north of Phoenix, AZ, the events accessibility and scope of accommodations are sure to entertain the anticipated 6,000+ attendees comfortably.
Participants are sure to agree that the Whiskey-Off Road Mountain Bike Event puts the “Wild” back in the Wild West world of Mountain Biking.
Registration for professional riders opens November 1, 2011 and amateur registration opens January 1, 2012.
The Whiskey Off-Road is an example of public and private cooperation, made possible from the City of Prescott, the Prescott NationalForest and Epic Rides. Major sponsors include Blackburn, CamelBak, Cirrus Visual Communication, Easton Cycling, Empire-Caterpillar, Hammer Nutrition,Stans No Tubes and the Springhill Suites by Marriott.
Link to vid if embed tanks: http://vimeo.com/28967899.
Photos of past events here: http://epicrides.com/wor/worpast.htm. And, yes, that would be my mug splashed across the top of the page. Grinning like an idiot and having a grand old time in Prescott.
This event is, without question, one of the premiere events in Arizona. It has been really cool to see the event grow into what it is today. I did it the first few years, got injured and missed a few, did the short distance once or twice, then went to law school and missed three straight. I am looking forward to hitting it again. And, if you’ve dragged your carcass out of Skull Valley, you know that means the pain is coming.
I recommend you take a long hard look at doing this event. You will not be disappointed.
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Real deal MTB race. That shit was a throwdown last year. I expect even more for 2012.
me and dominic are excited about this – im excited to race it. now, when should i buy the plane tickets?
The wheels in my mind just started turning… I’ll be going home to check with the wife when her spring break is this year…she said she wanted to go somewhere warm…
I want in just need to figure out how to get there..
in 3 Whiskeys, the final score is
Whiskey – 3
Humpty – 0
Have done ok for the first 35 then crumbled like FETA on the climb EVERY FUCKING YEAR.
Thank god last year for the Beer handup by Blake at Sunday cycles or I may not have made it home.
Forecast calls for pain.
I love, love, love this race. It’s 25 miles of bliss followed by 16 miles of hell followed by 9 more miles of bliss. I’m thinking single speed this year…
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I’ve never rode a single speed up out of Skull Valley. I’ve only done the short version one-geared. What do people push up that monster? I would think it would have to be pretty damn low!
I tremble in fear just thinking about it.
TripleF: I have no idea. I re-did the embed & added a hyperlink to the video on Vimeo. I hope it works for you now.
What ever ya did worked.
Great vid.
@BigJonny -I have no idea about the gearing. I’m planning on driving to Skull Valley a few times this winter and doing some training rides up to the top of Francis peak. I’ll try a different gear each time. I’m guessing 32X18 or 19. My issue with that hill isn’t that it’s steep. It really isn’t steep at all… It’s just NEVER FREAKING STOPS.
Big Johnny I took 2nd or 3rd in the single speed class a few years ago and rode a 2:1 on my voodoo. BAD ASS RACE. Riding it geared was much easier but still crushing. Thanks gnome for getting me racing it.
Yea. 2:1 was the gear du jour when I won it back in 84.
im racing it on dirty biker’s SS. cannot wait. we’ll be there 5 days. i’ll need a few days to acclimate to the elevation.
I am going to finally do this rise in 2012
You’ve got a couch in Flag if you need one Judi.
Man I just realized I haven’t been out of Florida since 2005. I need to stretch my legs. Do they allow old men and will there be beer?
Big kudos to Scot Litteer of “Litteer Films” for the video… A true artist making everyone and everything look good!
Lot of buzz at Interbike this year about Whiskey. Great idea to announce pre show. I just hope that they do not schedule a USA Nat race or World Cup the same day and that they move the Pro race to Saturday.