Hundreds expected for Sunday's mountain bike race

More than 500 mountain bike racers will vie for cash, medals and bragging rights the annual Palos Meltdown on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The race, which is in its fifth year, is the premier mountain bike race in the Chicago area and uses the Cook County Forest Preserves near Willow Springs.

Racing will occur all day, with novice race beginning at 10 a.m. and the expert and comp race beginning at 1:30 p.m. Race distances will range from approximately eight miles for men and women novice racers to approximately 25 miles for the men's expert field (20 miles for the women's expert racers) and will consist of trail with rocks, ravines, tight twisty single-track and other obstacles.

The race is part of the Illinois State Championship Series, which consists of 11 races around the state. While the event had more than 500 registered racers last year, organizers are expecting to have an even larger crowd this year. Racers will pass through the start/finish area, at Pulaski West, several times allowing spectators to cheer, motivate and/or heckle racers. The event will also have a free children's race and booths with information from race sponsors and local groups.

The Palos Meltdown is organized by the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers – South Chapter, the all-volunteer organization which builds and maintains the more than 15 miles of singletrack mountain-bike trails at the Palos Forest Preserve. The organization, originally called TURF, has been in existence for more than 20 years.

The annual Palos Meltdown is a fundraiser for the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, as well as a way to show off what many deem to be the best single-track in the Chicago area. People can find more information on the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers and the Palos Meltdown, including being able to register online, at www.cambr.org.