The town of Eagle, CO has allocated $60,000 for construction on a mountain bike course that will host the 2013 Colorado High School Cycling League State Championship race the weekend of October 19-20, 2013, according to the Colorado High School Cycling League.


The course will be located on the Haymeadow parcel, which sits on the eastern edge of the Town of Eagle, adjacent to the Town Ice Rink and Pool complex. The multi-use trail will be open to the public year-round.

I have been looking for a race venue in the Vail Valley area since 2010, said Kate Rau, director of the Colorado High School Cycling League (CHSC). The community support has been exceptional and we are thrilled to partner in expanding the recreational trail system in the area. The venue is centrally located to the 40 Colorado League teams making it a fantastic place to hold the season finale.


The ideal location was found on the Haymeadow property, north of the planned development at the site. The Haymeadow development plan already indicates that this area will be deeded to the town as open space when the project is approved, so it took vision from the landowner to make the dream a reality.


We are extremely excited to see the work of so many people come to fruition, said Ric Newman, landowner. Our vision for Haymeadow is of a community, that fits Eagles unique character. I know that this trail will be an additive resource for our residents as well as a draw for visitors.


Many mountain bike race courses are located on private property and only open to riders the weekend of the race, making exploratory rides and leisure rides impossible. The fact that this new trail in Eagle will be open to the public year-round as a multi-use amenity sets it apart from other world-class trails in the state.


The trail will be a purpose-built single track to host a specific race, but it also expands our beginner and intermediate riding terrain and we have many options for versatility, said Yuri Kostick, mayor of the Town of Eagle. In addition to mountain biking, this trail can also be used for hiking, trail running and other activities, creating an amenity not only for the residents of Eagle, but for visitors as well.


The course is expected to open by the end of June with design by Momentum Trail Concepts and construction assistance from volunteer groups such as the Hardscrabble Trail Coalition.


The CHSC was founded in 2009 under the aegis of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, which has helped establish high school mountain biking leagues in nine states. CHSC hosted the region’s first interscholastic cross-country mountain bike race series in the fall of 2010. It was founded to promote personal development and teamwork through bicycle racing, and encourages the formation of teams at public and private high schools in Colorado and Wyoming. Regardless of ability level, the Colorado League is committed to providing a positive cycling experience for all its student-athletes. Each season includes a four-race series, a Coaches Summit, and a variety of day camps.


The League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities, as well as generous donors, and Colorado League sponsors including the founding national sponsor Specialized Bicycle Components; as well as establishing sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM, and Trek Bicycles; major sponsors Primal Wear, Clif Bar & Company, Sho-Air, Quality Bicycle Products, CamelBak, GU, Kinetic, Maxxis, Eagle Outside, Osprey Packs, OpticNerve, Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Wheels Manufacturing, Yeti Cycles, Honey Stinger, St. Anthonys Hospital, Feedback Sports, and Fort Lewis College; media partners Mountain Flyer, 303Cycling, Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, and Cyclingnews.