Photo courtesy of Battle Creek Showdown - Kids line up at the starting line for the junior version of last year's Battle Creek Showdown. The annual race takes place on Saturday at Elkwater with the main race starting at 10 a.m. 

By Alex McCuaig

Battle Creek Showdown

Bikes, beers and bruising course at Battle Creek Showdown

Aug 23, 2019 | 3:59 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The Battle Creek Showdown returns to the Cypress Hills this weekend as mountain bikers from across southern Alberta and Saskatchewan get ready to tackle the nine-kilometre loop outside of Elkwater.

Race coordinator Ben Roscoe said over the event’s six years, the Battle Creek Showdown continues to reflect an increasing popularity of cycling in the area.

“We started out pretty local, great little race and ever year it grows,” said Roscoe. “It’s also grown to a point that people are making a weekend out of it to come check out of little corner down here and staying in the Elkwater area and Cypress Hills.”

Roscoe said drawing visitors to the region was the original intent of the event.

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But it’s the growth in cycling in general which Roscoe highlighted.

“From where we were six to eight years ago – it’s absolutely unbelievable . . . I would have never imaged where we are (now) with all the trails that are becoming accessible.”

The main competition starts at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by a kids’ race with activities all day.

Race details can be found on the event’s Facebook page or by visiting the 670 Collective website.