Firecracker 50

By Daryn York

Nothing beats the start of the Firecracker...Main Street Breck is lined with thousands of people.   Hundreds of racers line up at the start near the intersection of Lincoln and Main.  As you are lead down Main St in a neutral start by a member of the Jr MtnBike league,  all the fans behind the fences are eagerly awaiting high 5’s as you ride by.  Once you hit the end of Main and start heading up Boreas Pass, the race begins. 

At this point, you’re facing about a 6-mile road climb, the first 1/2 is paved and the second 1/2 dirt road.  Some years, about 3/4 of the way up the road climb and just before it turns to dirt, there’s a Wild Turkey stop.  But heed caution,  this is way early into your day and has a way of kicking back before you’ve even come close to seeing the most challenging part of your ride. By the time you get to aid station #1, you should be good and warmed up.  At this point, you’re about 6 miles and 1200’ in, but this is where the fun begins.

Pinball happens to be the first real downhill in the race, and it's a real hoot.

A short, punchy climb, gets you onto the Baker’s Tank trail where you’ll still have a little climbing as you meander along the single track through pines, spruce and aspen until you reach the Y where you veer right onto the Mountain Pride trail.  Mountain Pride continues through the forest on a contour trail until you reach the mine where you turn hard right into a quick climb up to Pinball.  

Pinball happens to be the first real downhill in the race, and it's a real hoot.  It’s only about a quarter mile but has fun and watch your bars.  There’s plenty of room to fit through the trees at high speed but a couple of inches off one way or the other, and there’s a good chance you’ll be hitting the dirt. Pinball drops out onto an old forest service road you’ll stay on for about a quarter mile to the creek crossing followed by another 1/2 mile till you hit Baldy Rd.

Take a hard right onto Baldy and a quick left on to True Romance.  A quick climb and a little rutted, muddy 2-track lead to Nightmare on Baldy.  Enjoy this section while you can.  Nightmare winds down the mountain for about a mile.  At this point in the race, you can really “up” for average MPH.  This section is a ton o’ fun. 

And once you dump out onto Sallie Barber road, you’ll pick up speed.  But beware, Little French is coming soon.  At the bottom of Sallie Barber, take a hard right and climb to Aid Station 2.  Get what you need here because your toughest climb of the day is right now.  To keep this “family friendly,” I’ll say Little French is a real kick in the pants.  In one mile, you’ll be climbing almost 650 vertical feet over mostly rocky terrain and multiple creek crossings to the top where often melodic sounds of a banjo greet you.

A quick climb and a little rutted, muddy 2-track lead to Nightmare on Baldy.

Continue across the creek at the top through rocky terrain and enjoy the lack of climbing for about a mile before you hit a network of forest service roads where you’ll have both downhills and climbs.  You’ll curl around here so much you think you’ll never get out, but eventually, you’ll run into Prospect trail which leads to Sidedoor and some much-needed cruisers.  Follow the trails down to French Gulch road with just a few punchy climbs thrown in to keep you honest.  Cross French Gulch, drop onto Reiling Dredge, cross the bridge to a B&B and descend to my nemesis V3.  This trail gets me every time.  On a typical ride, the V3 trail is fun.  But on race day, 21 miles into the lap, it sucks.  It’s not overly steep or overly technical.  It’s completely 100% rideable. But V3 still gets me. 

Ride V3 To Barney Ford and enjoy.  It’s all downhill from here.  When you get to the open field, you can enjoy banked turns most of the way down to Carter Park.  After you cross the paved road, you, ll be on Barney Flow and almost literally don't need to pedal for the rest of the way.  Have fun on the banked turns and ride it out to Carter Park berms where you can see the finish.  Hold on tight,  you’ll have some speed, and some of the switchbacks can get a little rough.   Loop around the tennis courts, and you are finished.  

Get a cold beer and some lunch provided by Westy and Maverick Sports that is if you’re riding as a team.  Solo riders get to endure this pain one more time.  And at this point in the day, its guaranteed to be hot and sunny or raining.  Enjoy that road climb, we’ll see you in 25 miles.  We’ll save you a beer.

Support Local

Recommended Local Bike Shop:  Breck Bike Guides

Race Information:  Maverick Sports

Best Local Breweries:  Broken Compass Brewing

Local Restaurants:  Amazing Grace, Kenosha Steakhouse