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Credit: Exchequer Extravaganza

February 19, 2022 - Exchequer Bike Park at Lake McClure in Mariposa County is continuing to garner significant attention.

The park will host two large races over the next couple of months that will draw thousands of riders from throughout California and Nevada.

The NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League will hold a race at Exchequer Bike Park on February 26 and 27. Then on March 27 and 28, the park will host the two-day Exchequer Extravaganza.

“We had a vision for this park and after several years, it’s become a reality,” said MID General Manager John Sweigard.

MID Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Gutierrez said, "A lot of people have worked hard to see this bike park reach its potential."

"We are excited to see the draw it’s having for the mountain biking community,” she said. “This would not have happened without all the support we receive from our local volunteers through the Exchequer Riders Club.”

For its competition, the NorCal Cycling League will draw 2,500 student athletes to the park from as far south as San Luis Obispo and as far north as the Oregon border. The students are from grades six to 12.

“The trails were built thoughtfully and purpose-built for cycling. They perfectly meet our needs,” said Vanessa Hauswald, Executive Director of the League.

The Exchequer Extravaganza in late March is expected to draw 700 racers from throughout California and Nevada. Twenty vendors are expected to be at the event with demo bikes available. Racing will begin on Saturday morning with one of the most demanding crosscountry, multi-lap races in California. Riders will be racing multiple laps on a 6.5-mile course, which includes 1,100 feet of elevation change each lap. The second day is slated for the Exchequer Enduro race, a multi-stage format with racers being timed on the most technical downhill runs in the park.

“We chose the location of Exchequer to be our big mountain bike event of the year because Merced Irrigation District and the Exchequer Riders Club created the perfect venue,” said Race Director Nathan Powel. “With 250 campsites with running water, electricity, sewer – and bathrooms with hot showers – Barrett Cove Recreation Area is the perfect place to host all of our racers for the event.”

The local Exchequer Riders Club also expressed its enthusiasm for the large events on the trails its members have helped design and build.

“The Exchequer Riders Club is humbled and overwhelmed with joy to be able to bring High School Mountain Bike Racing to the Bike Park,” said Grant Parker of the local Exchequer Riders Club. “The vision has always been a place for all to ride, and seeing that vision unfold brings happiness to our hearts. We love being a part of more kids riding bikes and recreating outdoors.”
Source: MID