Juarez to National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest

Two-time Olympian and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer David Tinker Juarez will lead the pack at the Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Race, part of the National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest, at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, North Carolina, on October 24-26.

The three-day, family-oriented mountain bike festival will include the final race on USA Cycling's 2008 National Ultra Endurance Calendar, as well as a short track, time trials, and children's races. The race venue takes advantage of the early sunset, giving racers the opportunity to ride the trails at night.

The festival will kick off on Friday night and races for kids get going Saturday morning. The featured event of the weekend, the Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Race, will start at noon on Saturday. Time trials and a special combination event known as "the Beast" round out the weekend on Sunday.

"This is a true mountain bike festival with something for everyone with a bike and a little energy," said Taylor Sullivan, president of Cowbell Challenge, a non-profit, which is promoting this event and has also promoted the Cowbell Challenge 12-hour race. "We're designing an endurance course that will challenge the top pros and amateurs, and the whole weekend will be filled with chances to ride for fun and for prizes."

The eight-hour endurance race boasts equal cash payout for men and women in the solo (open) categories. When not racing, participants will be able to participate in a Halloween costume contest and bike demos.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Davidson Recreation & Parks Youth Scholarship fund. For more information, visit www.NationalMtbOktoberfest.org.