The Bear

THE BEAR – AN ICONIC SPRING MTB KICKOFF

Rattler Racing is excited to be hosting one of Colorado’s original XC races. Come join us on April 5, 2025 for a classic front range mountain bike race. The approximate 10 mile loop will have plenty of tough short climbs, killer single track, quick descents and plenty of meandering through Bear Creek Lake Park to keep things interesting. This is the perfect way to test your legs after the winter training season.

Bear Creek Lake Park has supported Rattler events for 9 years and we’re always excited to partner with them. They have developed and maintained excellent trails in the park that we all benefit from. We will keep you posted on volunteer opportunities so we can all contribute to the land we love!

Registration remains open until 1 hour before your race start. Late fee applies until Thursday night on March 28. Registration must be done online as our staff does not have the ability to handle payments at the race venue. Please have USA Cycling info ready to show.

WHO'S IN

PARK ENTRY: Your entry fee into The Bear covers your access into Bear Creek Lake Park. When you pull up to the gate, please let them know in the nicest of ways that you are there for the mountain bike race, and they will kindly let you in. They will be busy so please study the map and directions below for directions to the venue. We will have signs on the roads as well. You are heading to Pelican Point.

What to Expect

Amazing XC loop right in Colorado’s front range and central to the Denver Metro area. This 10+ mile course will challenge you with 800 feet vertical per lap. The start/finish will be based out of the Pelican Point area in the center of the park.

Post Race support
Medical support
Professional Timing
Post Race awards
Plenty o’ food and drink and provided by our sponsors
Custom swag

Pricing: Adults – $65, Juniors (13-18) – $55, Juniors (9-12) – $30, Juniors 8 and under FREE (this category does NOT need to register online, just have your kiddo show up at the start line at the given time). If you have a junior (8 and under) that wants to race on the bigger course with 9/10 year olds, they can move up and will need to register with 9 year old pricing.

Course 411: The course will be marked at all critical intersections the day before the race. Pre-riding is allowed with an open course or a clear active course. Please do not follow a racer within 200 feet.

Spectating: You name it. Bear Creek has viewing opportunities spread out throughout the park.

Number Plates: This is a lap timed event. All racers will have a number plate with chip except for the Elite Mini Kids Race.

Results: Posted at the conclusion of your race and online the following day.

Alternate rain date will April 13th if the park is forced to close.

USA Cycling License

The Bear is a USA Cycling sanctioned event and a license is required. Have no fear though, if you don’t have an annual license, you can purchase a one-day license. Since you’ll be doing multiple Rattler events, an annual may be worth it.

A juniors annual license is $40 in 2024. An adult license is $110. USA Cycling is also offering a promotional discount for first time members. Use INTROMEMB24 to get a $50 membership. Only valid on adult memberships.

PURCHASE USA CYCLING LICENSE HERE

PURCHASE ONE-DAY LICENSE HERE

Cancellation Policy

Rattler Racing does not offer refunds. We completely understand that unfortunate circumstances happen, however, we plan this event way in advance from a cost and resource allocation perspective, and the financial and administrative burden is high. On the plus side, we do offer transfers and deferrals. If you would like to transfer your entry to another rider, no problem. Just drop us a line and we will issue a voucher for the new participant. No charge for transfers. If you need to defer, we will happily issue a voucher for any Rattler event in 2025. This will incur a $20 fee. Deferral requests will not be accepted on or after race day. Thank you for understanding this policy!

Race Rules

Rule 1: You will smile no matter the pain.
Rule 2: Yes, you must wear a helmet and have adequate eye protection.
Rule 3: Be nice to the land, it never did anything to you.
3A: DON’T LITTER.
3B: Stick to the trail. Course cutting could be as simple as creating a new line on a switchback. Please don’t do it.
Rule 4: No headphones. Sing to yourself.
Rule 5: If you don’t thank a volunteer, you will be publicly shamed.
Rule 6: This is mountain biking. Please, please, please be considerate of other racers whether you are in front being a superhero, or in back preparing to vomit. We all know this, but the occasional reminder never hurts.

Number of laps will be dependent on category and/or age group. Awards ceremony will follow each race. Remember, your age will be calculated as RACE AGE, which is the age you will be on 12/31/2024.

CAT 1 – Expert

CAT 2 – Intermediate/Sport

CAT 3 – Beginner/Novice

Schedule

CATEGORY	START	COURSE	LAPS
OPEN MEN	9:00	STANDARD	3
SINGLE SPEED MEN	9:01	STANDARD	3
CAT 1 MEN 19-29	9:02	STANDARD	3
CAT 1 MEN 30-39	9:02	STANDARD	3
CAT 1 MEN 40-49	9:03	STANDARD	3
CAT 1 MEN 50-59	9:05	STANDARD	3
CAT 1 MEN 60+	9:05	STANDARD	3
CAT 2 MEN 19-29	9:07	STANDARD	2
CAT 2 MEN 30-39	9:07	STANDARD	2
CAT 2 MEN 40-49	9:08	STANDARD	2
CAT 2 MEN 50-59	9:09	STANDARD	2
CAT 2 MEN 60+	9:09	STANDARD	2
CAT 3 MEN 19-29	9:10	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 MEN 30-39	9:10	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 MEN 40-49	9:11	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 MEN 50+	9:11	STANDARD	1
OPEN WOMEN	10:30	STANDARD	2
SINGLE SPEED WOMEN	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 15-18	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 19-29	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 30-39	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 40-49	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 50-59	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 1/2 WOMEN 60+	10:30	STANDARD	2
CAT 3 WOMEN 15-18	10:33	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 WOMEN 19-29	10:33	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 WOMEN 30-39	10:33	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 WOMEN 40-49	10:33	STANDARD	1
CAT 3 WOMEN 50+	10:33	STANDARD	1
13-14 GIRLS	10:33	STANDARD	1
CAT 1 MEN 15-18	12:00	STANDARD	2
CAT 2 MEN 15-18	12:02	STANDARD	2
CAT 3 MEN 15-18	12:04	STANDARD	1
13-14 BOYS	12:04	STANDARD	1
ELITE MINI 7/8	2:00	ELITE	2
ELITE MINI 6 AND UNDER	2:00	ELITE	1
11/12 BOYS	2:30	JUNIOR	2.50
11/12 GIRLS	2:31	JUNIOR	2.50
9/10 BOYS	2:32	JUNIOR	1.50
9/10 GIRLS	2:33	JUNIOR	1.50

Course Map: Standard Course

To get a GPX file of the course, click the image title below, then select MENU and DOWNLOAD.

Course Map: Junior Course

Course Map: Elite Mini

Route map for 2022-The Bear-Mini Elite Course by Paul Raemer on plotaroute.com

Location

From C-470, take the Morrison exit and head east. After 1/4 mile, take the first right into Bear Creek Lake Park. After going through the check-in gate, take a right at the first T intersection. Follow this around for 1.7 miles to the next T intersection. Take a left here and follow the direction of our staff.

If you are a student or a parent/guardian of a youth rider and thinking about racing one of our events, WE WANT YOU THERE! We don’t want you worrying about the cost of registration, so we developed our scholarship program to give athletes of all ages and abilities an opportunity to race. Please consider applying for one of our scholarships. Click logo above to get started.