Update on our upcoming summer downhill race season and the progress we’ve made behind the scenes; here’s a quick summary of the key information:
- We are now officially affiliated with Cycling BC, allowing riders to race as an OSMBC team.
- We are planning to attend up to five DH races (Fernie, Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Big White, Red Mountain).
- Estimated coaching/race support cost: ~$900 (all races) or ~$600 (excluding Fernie), not including travel, lodging, lift tickets, or registration fees.
- Parents are responsible for transportation and accommodation, though limited support may be available.
- Registration can be confusing due to overlapping series (Dunbar, BC Cup, Canada Cup)—we will provide guidance.
- See attached DH Rider Guide and race schedule for more details.
- SD67 parent meeting (week after next): waiver forms + brief DH team info session.
- Upcoming CEL race at Smith Creek (April 26); pre-ride April 19 at 9:00 am (3–4 hours, all riders welcome, rides can be coordinated).
- NEW Coaching Scholarship Program developments
Continue reading for more information…
After a long process of back-and-forth with Cycling BC that began last September, we are now officially affiliated. This is an important step for our program, as it allows our riders to compete as an OSMBC team at sanctioned events.
We are currently planning to attend up to five BC Cup and Canada Cup downhill races this season, with stops in Fernie, Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Big White, and Red Mountain. These events run from Friday through Sunday, with practice laps, track walks, seeding, and race day taking place across the full weekend.
Based on a team of approximately ten racers, preliminary cost estimates for coaching and race support are about $900 per rider if we attend all five races. A significant portion of this cost is tied to the Fernie event due to travel distance. If we opt not to attend Fernie, the estimated cost drops to approximately $600 per rider, spread over 2–3 months.
Please note that these estimates do not include transportation or accommodation for racers. Based on earlier feedback, parents have indicated a preference to manage travel arrangements with their child. That said, we may be able to coordinate transportation and accommodation for a limited number of riders at an additional cost if needed.
These costs also do not include:
- Cycling BC membership and UCI race license (approximately $100)
- Race registration fees
- Lift tickets at each venue
Looking ahead, we are actively working to reduce costs through sponsorship. This year, our sponsorship funding was directed toward the purchase of a team trailer, which will support our race logistics. A 12-passenger van is high on our priority list for the future, as it would allow us to travel more efficiently as a team. Our long-term goal is to offset a significant portion of these expenses through sponsorship and fundraising.
I have attached a new Downhill Rider Guide from Cycling BC with additional information about DH racing, as well as a race schedule from Dunbar Racing for your reference. Please note that downhill race registration can be confusing, as there are overlapping series at each event, including the Dunbar Summer Series, BC Cup Series, and Canada Cup Series. While the races themselves are the same, each series may have slightly different registration requirements, categories, and licensing expectations.
We will also be holding an SD67 team parent meeting the week after next to review and sign waiver forms. At the end of that meeting, we will include a short information session on the DH team.
In addition to our downhill plans, we also have an upcoming Canadian Enduro League race at Smith Creek on April 26. We are planning a course pre-ride on Sunday, April 21, meeting at 9:00 am in the Smith Creek parking lot, provided the route has been released by then.
The pre-ride will be a relaxed session lasting approximately 3–4 hours. We will take our time working through the course, walking features where needed, and discussing line choice and strategy. Riders will be responsible for transportation to and from Smith Creek, but we will coordinate rides as much as possible—please let us know if your rider needs a lift. Riders who are not registered for the CEL race are also welcome to join the pre-ride.
We are also excited to introduce a new Coaching Scholarship Program, supported by a grant from the South Okanagan Similkameen Foundation. Through this program, we are currently reviewing applications from senior riders who will attend a GSMBC coaching course. The goal is to build internal capacity within our team and create more opportunities for structured youth rides and skill development sessions throughout the summer and fall.
Looking ahead, our intention is to sustain and grow this program by allocating a portion of club revenues each year to coach development. Whether or not we are able to renew external grant funding, our goal is to support a new group of developing coaches each spring, helping to strengthen the program long-term and provide more consistent, high-quality coaching for our riders
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