There’s something for spectators and mountain bikers alike at this year’s Moab Ho-Down Mountain Bike and Film Festival, which runs from Thursday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 25.
The film “unReal” by Teton Gravity Research and Anthill Films is the feature movie at this year’s 10th annual festival. The showing at Moab’s Star Hall is part of the film’s world tour since the movie was launched in Vancouver, British Columbia, in June. The film fest will take place at Star Hall, 159 E. Center St., on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.
After the festival on Friday – which will also include two or three short homemade films preceding the feature movie – there will be a raffle of “amazing prizes,” said Tracy Reed, owner of Chile Pepper Bike Shop, the event’s sponsor.
The weekend includes various mountain biking competitions, skills camps and parties. Moab Mountain Bike Instruction is offering a women’s skills camp and a coed enduro camp to help riders reach their next level of skill. The two-day women’s camp will be taught by professional coach Sylvi Fae, and will cover body position, balance, wheel lifts, cornering, drops, bunny hops and the pump track at the Moab Bike Park.
The co-ed enduro camp will be offered on Thursday and Friday, as well as a one-day camp on Friday for those who are unable to attend Thursday. The coed camps will cover techniques taught in the women’s camp, as well as skills such as line selection, skill implementation and race strategy. Tyler Palmer will teach the coed camp.
Mike West, of Boulder, Colorado, attends the mountain bike ho-down every year. He’s won the enduro race three or four times, he said. He also enjoys watching the dirt-jump jam.
“It’s an annual pilgrimage,” West said. “I used to go by myself – now I drag my family there,” where they visit a lot of old friends.
“It’s good people who put it on,” he added. “It’s nice that they give back to the community.”
All proceeds after expenses go to support the Moab Bike Park and area trails. The annual event typically raises anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, Reed said.
“We have people who come back year after year after year,” she said.
A festival pass for $30 gets you entry into the movie showings, the “Ridiculous Costume Party” on Saturday and the Saturday shuttle to LPS/ Porcupine. A Racers Festival pass for $70 includes race entry, the movies and the costume party. For $65 you can participate in the Enduro race, and for $10, you can compete in Pump Track. A two-day women’s and coed skills camp is $295.
A-la-carte events include movies for $10 at the door, or $7 in advance. The Ridiculous Costume Party at the Moab Brewery is $5, and the Saturday Porcupine Group Shuttle $25.
Costumes are strongly recommended if you want to attend the Ridiculous Costume Party, Reed said.
The Enduro race will be held on the Amasa Back trail system, on Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. Spectators are free to hike up the course to watch the race.
On Sunday, the dirt Jump Jam takes place – free for both participants and spectators. Young people ranging in ages 12 to early 20s, compete by doing various tricks such as back flips, front flips, 360s, and no-hands maneuvers.
“It’s pretty amazing what they try and do,” Reed said. “It’s tricks on bikes with big consequences.”
The annual jump jam competition typically draws young people from Flagstaff, Arizona; and Durango and Grand Junction, Colorado, Reed said.
Races, camps, parties are all part of the annual Moab Ho-Down Mountain Bike and Film Festival
“It’s an annual pilgrimage … I used to go by myself – now I drag my family there.”
When: Thursday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 25
Cost: Various packages available
Information: www.moabhodown.com or 435-259-4688; or info@chilebikes.com
