Note:  In addition to the world famous Downieville Classic (read below), the town and trails of Downieville, California will be the host of SSWC2K+2 in October.  For the acronymically challenged, that means the Single Speed World Championships 2002.  

A few examples of what Downieville has to offer:

Doesn't that look sweet?  Single Speed, Downhill, Cross Country, you name it.  But is there a home for Cruiser Bikes in Downieville.  Read on.  Dave (March '02)

(The following story was paraphrased from BIKE magazine)

The seventh annual Downieville Classic isn't your average race.  Located in the Sierras Mountains of California about one hour from Lake Tahoe, it has the ingredients of a can't-miss event.  It includes a 29-mile single-loop cross country race and a 16-mile (yes, 16-miles!) downhill on some of the best terrain you'll find anywhere.  This years classic, scheduled for August 11 and 12, will feature a new event – The Cruiser Cup.  "The whole reason for this event is to have fun and take some of the seriousness out of the competition.  The Cruiser Cup is just another way of doing that.  Plus, we can see some good wrecks and that's always fun," said event promoter Greg Williams.

Exactly what is a Cruiser Bike? 

While other races provide classes for classic machinery to battle it out, Downieville has added a new twist.  The Cruiser Cup will be a stage race consisting of four events: 

Stage 1: Short Loop Cruiser Criterium
A criterium through the city (?) of Downieville.  Natural and fabricated obstacles will play a key role in this fast track race. 

Stage 2: Cruiser Log Pull
A single-elimination log pull where participants must pull a 120 pound log up tot he top of Church Street in downtown Downieville.  Once they reach the top they must gulp down a pint of microbrew.  Racers are scored on overall time and the ability to remain standing.

Stage 3: Cruiser Drag Race
A 100 yard sprint drag race down Main Street.   In this single-elimination event, racers and spectators are treated to a large wooden kicker ramp in front of the historic  St. Charles Bar for a sometimes tragic finish.

Stage 4: The Downieville Downhill
The world famous Downieville Downhill Race: 16 miles of smoking coaster brakes.

The overall winners will be determined by the best combined finish and must be riding fully rigid singlespeed cruiser bikes complete with coaster brakes, no front brakes, no clipless pedals, and no handlebars narrower than 25 inches.  The awards have not yet been determined, but Williams promised that they'd be something "special".

As a special added bonus, there is the Big Splash River Jump.  This is always a crowd favorite. The river jump takes place at the confluence of the Downie and Yuba Rivers in Downieville.  Participants are launched off a large wooden ramp into a refreshing swim hole. Jumpers are scored on technique and air time.

 Ron Ing