Clif Bar Fat Tire 40, Wildflower Rush, Chainless World Championships, Bridges of the Butte, plus a Toots & The Maytals concert

MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – JUNE 14 -Crested Butte Bike Week – formerly Fat Tire Bike Week – returns with a new name to celebrate the evolution of mountain biking in a town recognized by many as the sport’s birthplace. Although every week is bike week in Crested Butte, this four-day event, taking place from Thursday, June 23 to Sunday, June 26, honors the history and the future of the sport with an opening party at the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, the Clif Bar Fat Tire 40 endurance race, the Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush, the Chainless World Championships, a Tech Expo and Bridges of the Butte 24-Hour Townie Tour. Plus, this year organizers have added reggae to the mix, hosting Toots and the Maytals, with special guest The Melodians.

Crested Butte Bike Week kicks off on Thursday, June 23 with a Night at the Museum party at the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame (located at the Crested Butte Heritage Museum), to honor past supporters and visionaries who helped discover and further the sport.

Racing begins on Friday, June 24, with the fifth stop of the 2011 Mountain States Cup tour, the much anticipated Wildflower Rush. Now in its 11th year, this race draws mountain bike competitors from across the west to race Cross-Country, Downhill, Dual Slalom, and Super-D. The Dual Slalom is a new event this year, featuring racers in a head-to-head battle through gates, around berms, and over jumps. This year’s Downhill event is part of the Pro-GRT series, held on Sunday, bringing the best gravity racers to the slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) to test their skills in the Evolution Bike Park. The Wildflower Rush continues through Sunday, June 26. For Wildflower Rush registration visit http://www.racemsc.com/schedule/wildflowerrush.html and for more information on the Pro-GRT series, go to www.progrt.com .

Also on Friday, the Chainless World Championships returns for another unforgettable year. The race is a true Crested Butte phenomenon complete with townie bikes, costumes, laughs and, hopefully, no road rash – and definitely no chains.

The epic endurance race, the Clif Bar Fat Tire 40 is slated for Saturday, June 25, on miles of Crested Butte’s legendary singletrack. Racers circumnavigate Crested Butte Mountain, starting and finishing in the resort’s base area. This race is part of the Mountain States Cup Cross-Country event.

The Tech Expo on June 24, 25, & 26 includes demos and product displays for racers and other mountain bike enthusiasts to check out the latest gear. The Tech Expo will have two locations, one in the main parking lot of CBMR, which will be open Friday through Sunday, and one downtown at 1st Street and Elk Avenue for Chainless racers on Saturday.

The Bridges of the Butte 24-Hour Townie Race also begins on Saturday afternoon. This one-of-a-kind bike tour loops through downtown Crested Butte, crossing the town’s bridges along the way. Costumes and townies are required for this unique and fun event benefitting the Adaptive Sports Center www.adaptivesport.org . Bridges of the Butte wraps up on Sunday, June 26.

The week closes with Toots and the Maytals and special guests The Melodians hitting the Red Lady Stage at the CBMR base area on Saturday evening, June 25. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on a pre-sale basis for $26 at www.crestedbuttebikeweek.com or at The Eldo or the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will be available at the CBMR base area for $30 on the day of the show.

At a Glance: CBBW Schedule of Events (subject to change)

June 23: Night at the Museum Party at the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, 6 p.m.
June 23-25: Rippin’ Chix Clinics with Alison Gannett www.alisongannett.com
June 24: Chainless World Championships and Chainless After Party
June 24-25: Tech Expo, 1st & Elk (at the Chainless Finish venue); Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 24 – 26: Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush
June 25 – 26: Bridges of the Butte
June 25: Clif Bar Fat Tire 40
June 25: Toots and the Maytals, base area, 6:30 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m.

Lodging Special for Crested Butte Bike Week:

CBMR is offering a Crested Butte Bike Week Special: guests save 15% on lodging and receive one single ride lift ticket per person during Crested Butte Bike Week when booking a reservation through Crested Butte Vacations. For more information call (800)600-2803 or visit www.ridecb.com .

For more information about Crested Butte Bike Week visit the website at www.crestedbuttebikeweek.com . Check out the online magazine dedicated to the event http://www.ftbw.com/magazine .

About Crested Butte:

Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Crested Butte is committed to preserving the pristine landscape and mountain lifestyle. With vibrant Victorian store fronts and expressive local characters, the small historic town remains true to its heritage and radiates an unparalleled welcoming and inviting spirit that celebrates a simpler life and time. Thanks to a widely diverse landscape, whether beginner or burgeoning national champion, outdoor enthusiasts of all levels will find a new challenge with each visit. From world-class mountain biking, to legendary skiing and snowboarding, to a secluded fly-fishing experience, Crested Butte is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. www.skicb.com

For more information about Crested Butte’s lodging, conference, meeting facilities, and special packages, call Crested Butte Vacations, (800) 600-2803 or visit the web site at www.skicb.com . For information on ski area real estate opportunities call (970) 349-4999 or (877) 805-6109 or visit the website at www.cbliving.com .