By Marty Basch

Attitash is starting a new downhill mountain bike series that ensures no two races will be held on the same course all season.

That's because the next week's race will be chosen at random during a game of pin the tail on the donkey.

Seriously.

Pin the Trail

The new Pin the Trail downhill mountain bike series will run on six consecutive Wednesdays (weather permitting) from July 14 to August 18 at the Bartlett ski area. Open to downhillers of all abilities and ages (riders under 18 need a parent's signature), the point series format means the overall winners will be announced at the end of the series.

Just like with its weekly winter ski league, the course will be open during the day so racers can ride as long as the Flying Yankee lift is operating. Fastest time wins the weekly brackets and each week there are prizes and giveaways.

"We think this is going to be a series for anybody who does any downhilling," said Attitash mountain bike program coordinator Nate Waterhouse from inside the Dirt Trax Bike Shop at the mountain's base. "There will be a variety of courses from pretty tame to a little more technical. Nothing crazy, nothing to scare anyone away."

Jackasses and more

Waterhouse figures some courses will be ridden in a minute or so while others could take up to three minutes.

Downhill mountain bikers use a chairlift to access terrain on a mountain. Attitash is the only lift-served downhill mountain biking ski area in the Mount Washington Valley. Generally, racers wear padding and full-face helmets while riding full-suspension rigs. For this series, a mountain bike and helmet will do. 

Riders will find some new trails cut last year that have yet to be ridden. They've also opened up the existing trail work and done some bridge work.

"Hopefully that will allow us to have another regional series down the road," says Waterhouse.

Coin

The series has a relatively low price tag at $70 for all six races or $15 a pop. Many downhill races have entry fees of $70 and require hours of travel plus food and lodging expenses.

The pin the tail on the donkey aspect allows fun and mystery.

"People can cheer and influence where the donkey is pinned," says Waterhouse.

Race organizers will have trails mapped out. Once the course for the week is chosen, it will be posted on the Attitash web site Thursday so racers can check it out and practice if they choose using a daily or summer season pass.

"The big thing with this is that there is something that will be fun for everybody," says Waterhouse.

In addition to having some new Marin rentals in the shop, there will also be a new portable freelap timing system on the hill. Riders will be able to rent watches for $10 a day that are linked to the system so they can practice or maybe settle some rivalries.

To register, contact Waterhouse at 374-2680 or through email at nwaterhouse@attitash.com.