July 2-10 marks the second edition of Åre Bike Festival. Nine days of great riding in one of the worldʼs premier bike resorts, Åre, Sweden.
Dirt columnist Seb Kemp, who will be on the photo judging panel, sent over this info on Sweden’s Åre Bike Festival and Scandinavian Photo Challenge.
Founded by the local bike club Åre Bergscyklister, the goal is pretty simple: to enjoy Åreʼs fantastic biking to the fullest. Whatever your favoured discipline, age or previous experience. The festival program is packed with pro camps, fun competitions, night riding and a whole lot more that attracts both cross country, downhill and dirt riders.
Highlights during the week include Pilgrimsloppet, a scenic cross country race, night riding with the Åre tram in the midnight sun, extended opening hours in the bike park and two different downhill comps. Last years success, girl camps with Canadian freeride star Darcy Turenne, is back once more – just like a slew of freeride clinics hosted by experienced pros.
Photographer: Mattias Fredriksson.
The dirt jump part of the festival will take place at a new venue in the village, built and designed by Åre Bergscyklister with help from professional trail builders from UCIʼs BMX department. Åre Bergscyklister will also host daily cross country tours as well as guiding in the bike park.
The poster event for the week though is the Scandinavian Photo Challenge by Nikon, a unique photo competition with five of the worldʼs leading bike photographers individually invited. They team up with four riders of their choice to create a five minute slideshow to be shown at the huge closing party on Saturday night and judged by an expert jury.
SATURDAY JULY 2
• XC tour
• DH tour
• Åre Bike Relay
• Cykelfilmskväll – Tott
SUNDAY JULY 3
• XC tour
• DH tour
• Beginnerʼs Camp DH
• Pilgrimsloppet XC
MONDAY JULY 4
• XC tour
• DH tour
• Scandinavian Photo Challenge by Nikon
• Midnight Sun Session – Tram open until 10 PM
TUESDAY JULY 5
• XC tour
• DH tour
• Bike movie night – Tott Hotel
• Scandinavian Photo Challenge by Nikon
WEDNESDAY JULY 6
• XC tour
• DH tour
• Scandinavian Photo Challenge by Nikon
• All Mountain Classic
• Crazy Race – Fjällängen
• Hyddan BBQ
• VM6 chair open until 9 PM
THURSDAY JULY 7
• XC tour – The ÅEC track
• DH tour
• Ninjaloppet – DH race
• Girl Camp with Darcy Turenne
• Freeride clinic
• Klas Mega Garage – Tott Hotel
FRIDAY JULY 8
• XC tour – The ÅEC track
• DH tour
• Girl Camp with Darcy Turenne
• Freeride clinic
SATURDAY JULY 9
• XC tour – The ÅEC track
• DH tour
• Chainless Race – Lilla Blå
• Scandinavian Photo Challenge by Nikon – Award show
SUNDAY JULY 10
• XC tour – The ÅEC track
• DH tour
More events will be addes soon. For full details, check out
www.arebikefestival.com
