New mountain bike trail system to host races on May 15, 16

The Nevada Union High School Mountain Bike Club helped build the trail system at Loma Rica Ranch.

The vast trail system at Loma Rica Ranch uses existing roads to connect a network of trails and features short steep climbs, recovery sections and flowing, fast tracks, according to the Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County.

 The Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County has a new mountain bike single-track trail system at Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley that will be hosting two days of racing in May.

The vast trail system uses existing roads to connect a network of trails and features short steep climbs, recovery sections and flowing, fast tracks, according to the group.

The new trail system will be the host site for the 2010 MTB Benefit Races on May 15 with the proceeds going to the Nevada County school bike clubs and Youth Bicyclists of Nevada programs.

The deadline for early registration is April 30 and forms can be found at:  http://ybonc.org/events/loma-rica-race/. Registration fees will be an additional $5 on race day. The races are scheduled to start at 8 a.m. and be finished by 1 p.m.

The 2010 NorCal MTB High School Race League State Championship Races will be held on May 16 at Loma Rica Ranch.. More than 30 high school mountain bike teams and 600 riders will be competing. There is no charge for admission but parking will cost $5.

The trail system project took more than 900 hours of work that was donated by contractors, parents and members of the Nevada Union High School Mountain Bike Club.

 In addition, the Land Trust of Nevada County, the Loma Rica Ranch owners and the Youth Bicyclists Trail Stewardship Program contributed to the trail system, which will be available to authorized school bike clubs and bicycling events.