Hucktoberfest 2010

(Oct 9, 2010) GRAND JUNCTION, COLO - Hucktoberfest, presented by Grassroots Cycles, was a fund raising benefit for the Lunch Loop Bike Park soon to open in Grand Junction Colorado. The event featured a dual slalom race on the ever popular course up on the Grassroots Ranch. Along with the race their was a slopestyle jump jam that was more about putting on a show for the spectators then seeing who could do the best tricks.

Grassroots Cycles and Ranch owner, Matt Bollig told us a little behind the idea of Hucktoberfest. “The whole reason for having Hucktoberfest was to have another event up at the Ranch, to get all our friends out and have a good time. We decided we wanted to do more for the local mountain biking scene so we decided to make all the proceeds from this weekend go towards the soon to open bike park at the base of the Lunch Loops area here in Grand Junction.”

The Grassroots Ranch sits high up Little Park road and is a mountain bikers paradice. The Ranch is littered with trails of all kinds, most testing your airtime skills and skinny riding abilities. The dual slalom course has been rumored to be one of the best course out there with it’s unique layout. Saturday opened up with bright blue skies and the Ranch road quickly filling up. The dual slalom course was in prime condition from the rain earlier in the week and the fact that Ranch hand Uncle Jeff spent several days of shovel work to buff everything out.

“This is the best shape the Ranch has been in all summer,” said Jeff Erickson. “The rain really helped pack everything down. Buttery smooth ranch-dippins for sure!”

At nearly every other bike event you would go to this summer it is all about the times. How close everything was down to the hundredth of a second. Who beat who to move on in the bracket. However, at the Hucktoberfest it was a totally different feel. Everyone was laughing and sharing stories from their run down. No one knew their times, mostly because no one cared.

Deider Barrick of Fort Collins gave us a good idea of the whole feel of the day. “I came here with one gear, one brake and one goal in mind, to have fun! It is always a great time here at the Ranch and it is cool to know my entry money is going to such a good cause.”

That is what the whole day was all about, simply to have a good time. Old friends and new friends coming together, having fun and helping progress the mountain bike scene in Grand Junction. The soon to open bike park will feature a plethora of jump lines ranging from small kid rollers all the way up to massive doubles. Also there will be a pump track and even a dual slalom course to practice on. All this is perfectly situated at the already popular Lunch Loops base area.

If you would like to help make a difference, please go to Grassroots Cycles website for more info about your chance to win an awesome dirt jumper bike from Cove that will be raffled off on Saturday October 16th at the bike park ribbon cutting. Special thanks to Grassroots Cycles, MRP/White Brothers, DT Swiss, Deity Components, and Kali Protectives for helping put it all together!

The one and only custom start gate at the Ranch	Keeping it low key and fun.	Micah Hoogeveen running the start line radio
Eric Landis and family.	Jesse Ruland throws a little style into the end of his dual slalom run.	The future of mountain biking.
Cody Ritter does a quick nose bonk on his way to the finish line.	Eric Landis in his pefect form.	Petr Hanak came out to join the fun and fund raising.
Jamas Stiber rips through the ds course leaving his competition in his dust.	Deider Barrick finds the edge of death canyon berm.	Jesse Ruland drags a foot while trying to keep his speed on high while chasing down Tanner Lewis.
Adam Lottig and Evan Biner ran a tight race.	Petr Hanak hikes it up for another lap.	Hanak and Stiber side by side for the big finals. Hanak put down the gas pedal and was gone shortly after this shot.
Blake Treadway brings in the give away goodess.	The grill was fired up to feed the fans and help raise funds.	Jesse Ruland and James Flatton get a birds eye view of the slopestyle course.
"I came here with one brake, one gear and one goal in mind, to have fun!"	Ryan Zabienski takes a swing at "The Man Canon".	When Sean Shuman lines up for the man canon.... zoom out!
Young gun DJ Brandt shows his skills.	Micah Hoogeveen, mid bail.	Shuman likes it one handed.
Micah regaining for a clean flip.	Ryan sending a floating 360.	A little beer bath for the jump jam winner, Ryan Zabienski
You could win this bike!	Cheap deal when a raffle ticket is $20!

Story and Photos By Devon Balet