A bombshell will again be dropped on SilverStar Mountain Resort during the summer season.
The fifth Juliana Bombshell Enduro bike event for women only will take place Saturday, July 12, and organizers are opening up registration Feb. 1 to increase local riders this year.
The event falls under the auspices of the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS), and is being organized by Jessica Morgan. Stacey Banks is heading up volunteers.
So what's an Enduro?
It is a multiple stage race where competitors climb to the top of the stage and are timed on the descents (the climbing part is not timed). Cyclcists can relax, pace themselves, and even walk if they like. Once the competitors are at the top of the stage it鈥檚 race on.
Organizers say for the 2025 Enduro riders can expect five-to-six stages covering somewhere between 20-30 kilometres.
The race was first introduced to the community in 2019 and at that time was held in Kal Park. It was put on pause for two years due to COVID, but came back strong in 2022, selling out in less than a day.
"The goal was to get more women on bikes, and provide an opportunity to fundraise for the cycling society," said Morgan.
This year's Bombshell will be held at SilverStar Bike Park, and organizers are encouraging local riders to get out and challenge themselves.
Registration opens Feb. 1 at 9 a.m., and is expected to sell out again.
There are four categories: Youth (19 and under), Open, Elite, and Masters (45+). There is no category for e-bikes.
Cost is $150 for adults and $135 for 19 and under.
"Juliana Bicycles is our title sponsor and has gifted us a bike frame, which we are looking to build and raffle off as a fully built bike," said Morgan.
The event also sees more than 70 volunteers to help with timing, refreshment stations, and marshalls at key trail crossings. Men are welcome to volunteer and cheer the women on.
Volunteers get entered for prizes at the end of the day.
This year riders can expect a few added bonuses to the day to help commemorate the fifth year.
"A great way to get out with some riding buddies, and maybe meet some new ones," said Morgan.
The sign up link for racers and volunteers will be available on the event's website : http://vernonenduro.com.
The race name Bombshell is a salute to Vernon's long, rich military history which acknowledges the army camp, a key training area for the Canadian Army, according to the website:
"Vernon has a rich military history, including a centre for training soldiers for WWI and WWII, and a Military Training Camp, a key training area for the Canadian Army. Our beloved NOCS logo represents this history with the symbol representing artillery, that has creeped up in random locations throughout our parks and trail networks (aka. stick to the trails鈥�) with a rattlesnake in the center representing the critters common to our parks."
