Re-Birth of the Poley Mountain DH Race Course

August 14-15, Sussex, New Brunswick

Presented by Outdoor Elements

Sponsored by: Outdoor Elements, Dakine and Oakley

August 14th and 15th will see racers from all over the Maritimes flocking to Poley Mountain to test their skill and speed against the clock, the course and each other.

After many, many years of neglect, it is with great excitement that John McNair of Outdoor Elements announces the re-birth of the Poley Mountain Downhill Mountain Bike Race. 

Ten years ago, this venue played host to Canada Cup Races, it has since seen little use and had become a bit overgrown to say the least. 

 Outdoor Elements is the local outdoor, bicycle and ski shop located in Sussex, New Brunswick. The local crew along with a few dedicated volunteers decided it was time to put some work into the old course and host a race once again on the infamous Canada Cup Race Course.  The plan was to use the existing course with a few updated sections and use a complete top to bottom race run.

The improved race course is described by many as the only true DH Race Course east of Quebec, with a great variety of terrain from top to bottom.  This course has a fairly large rock drop off the start that sends you into a steep section, and then carries you through various high speed open pedaling sections and tight, fast, technical singletrack that will surely test the endurance and skill of the racers.  Half way down this course there is a smaller rock drop followed by a fast pedaling section before entering the infamous “Rock Garden”.  This section of the course has claimed many race runs, flat tires and truly tests the skill of each rider.  Once the “Rock Garden” has been conquered, racers can breathe a short sigh of relief as they enter a new section of trail with a couple of tight greasy turns.   Again accelerating across a wide open “pin it” section, racers must trust the tires on the grass cornering into the last woods section with a steep entrance and fast step down to the final sprint to the finish line. 

This is the first Downhill Race of the season as a Velo NB sanctioned event.  Velo NB’s mandate is to promote cycling in New Brunswick. This includes recreational and competitive cycling activities, touring, and transportation. They represent all disciplines: road cycling, mountain biking, track, cyclo-cross, and BMX. Affiliated with the Canadian Cycling Association and Union Cycliste Internationale, Velo NB is the provincial governing body for the sport of cycling in New Brunswick.

The organizer of this event; John McNair, invites everyone to take in the action of this exciting event.  Downhill Mountain biking is a great spectator sport.  If you don’t plan on participating, you should plan on hiking around and checking out the competition.  The weather looks great and the scenery in the Sussex area is unbelievable. 

For more information on this or other cycling events in the Sussex Area, be sure to call or email Outdoor Elements.  506-433-3060 or john@outdoorelements.ca, and you can also find more details on our Facebook Page.