Since the birth of mountain biking, California cyclists have enjoyed trail riding in Mammoth Lakes. Intrepid competitors joined Mammoth Mountain for the first lift-accessed downhill race in history in 1985 when the Kamikaze established the Eastern Sierra as one of the first mountain biking Meccas in the world.
New for this summer and with bike enthusiasts in mind is the premier of the Kamikaze Bike Games, September 4-8. This multi-disciplined bike event features both road and mountain combined with entertainment and music to create the ultimate cycling festival.
History of the Kamikaze
It all started with one man – Bill Cockroft. A passionate cyclist, he wanted to bring bike racing to the Mammoth Lakes area. Cockroft was friends with the man in charge of the cycling portion of the 1984 Olympics and one of their mutual buddies approached him and asked Cockroft over dinner, “How much would it take to produce a major cycling event?” Bill pulled out a pen, grabbed a napkin, completed some rough calculations and delivered the tally. Soon the napkin turned into a check and a bike race was born. In addition to the Kamikaze there was also a stage race, a multi-day road race, and the dual slalom, which was another industry first.
Mammoth was a regular on the international race schedule and the Kamikaze changed bike racing as we know it. In 1994, Cockroft was inducted into The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
Mammoth High Sierra Fall Century and Gran Fondo
The 2013 Mammoth High Sierra Fall Century and Gran Fondo is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever in its 18 year history. There are over 600 cyclists expected to participate and will be leaving the Village in Mammoth at 7:30am on Saturday, 9/7 for the 102 mile century ride and they will all be returning between 12:30pm and 5pm that afternoon to a huge after-ride party, gourmet buffet-meal, live music, Kamikaze Bike Games Expo at the Village and Kamikaze Bike Games races that evening at Canyon Lodge with even more live music and fun. There will also be another 200-300 riders rolling out from Whitmore Ball Fields for the shorter 60,45, and 30 mile routes the same Saturday morning.
Races: September 4-8, 2013
- The Kamikaze
- “The Bullet” PRO GRT/USGP Downhill
- Enduro
- MTB Gran Fondo
- Cross Country
- Dual Slalom
- Airbag
- Mammoth High Sierra Fall Century and Gran Fondo
- Legends of the Kamikaze
- Kids Races
A complete list of the schedule can be found at: kamikazebikegames.com/schedules.html
For 2013, the Kamikaze Bike Games have partnered with The Town of Mammoth Lakes, the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to create a multi-disciplined bike event that includes road and off-road fun for all ability levels. With live music as well as great food, drinks, and 2014 bike and gear demonstrations, it’s going to be the big mountain bike bash of the year.
Lodging
The Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games Package is now available at mammothmountain.com/VacationPlanning/Deals/ or by calling 800.MAMMOTH.
For more information please visit KamikazeBikeGames.com or call 800.MAMMOTH.
