THE DIRTY DOZEN

1. MASSANUTTEN HOO-HA!: JUNE 3, HARRISONBURG, VA.

Like the Man from Snowy River, the Virginia State Championship Mountain Bike Series is back to stake its claim on the mountain. It arises from a baptism of fire that would cause a phoenix to molt. It's christened with a new name and branded by a new national sanctioning body (USAC-MTB). Join the pack for the final ride of the 2007 series on Massanutten’s Western Slope.

www.mountainbikevirginia.com

2. 2007 USACK MARATHON TEAM TRIALS: JUNE 2-3, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA.

Do you have what it takes to represent the United States at the International Canoe Federation Canoe-Kayak Marathon World Championships in Gyor, Hungary? On the peaceful waters of beautiful Stone Mountain Lake, just northeast of Atlanta, ye shall find the answer. For that is where the Southeast Paddlers will host the 2007 National Canoe and Kayak Marathon Team Trials. www.southeastpaddlers.org

3. XTERRA ACE BIG CANYON TRIATHLON: JUNE 3, NEW RIVER GORGE, W.VA.

Taking a dip in the ancient New River can mean one of two things: A) You’ve capsized your vessel and all your gear is now floating helplessly downriver, or B) You’re thrashing about wildly and determined amidst small class I rapids in the first leg of the XTERRA ACE Big Canyon Triathlon. (Editor’s note: if you’ve chosen B, please consider running 8 miles, followed by 11 more on your mountain bike in order to properly dry yourself once you’ve completed your 1.5 mile swim)

4. BACK TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RACE & FESTIVAL: JUNE 9, ROSWELL, GA.

If Alan Jackson can learn a lot about livin’ and a little about love way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, then so can you. Last year, the 4th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee Race & Festival attracted a wee mass of 194 boats, 310 racers, and 1,000 attendees to Roswell’s Riverside Park. This year promises to be even better. The race starts at Garrard Landing Park and ends where the party begins.

www.ucriverkeeper.org

5. MS TOUR DE VINE:

JUNE 9-10, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

At the MS Tour de Vine, the glass is always half-full. Join a wave of cyclists, spectators, and volunteers in a tasteful effort towards a cure for multiple sclerosis. Cyclists will explore the birthplace of American wine along this fully-supported tour through the heart of Virginia Wine Country. After the ride, your cup shall overfloweth with music, festivities, and tastings. Now in its 19th year, the MS Tour de Vine proves that like a good wine, some things just get better with age.

6. UNTAMED VIRGINIA ADVENTURE RACE: JUNE 9-10, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

A decent adventure racer is a lot like a trusty Swiss Army Knife - sharp, handy, and to the point with a full repertoire of functions. And even if you’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer, you’ll never encounter a dull moment as you cover 100+ miles of terrain in 30 hours. From mountain biking to riverboarding, the Untamed Virginia Adventure Race will have you whipping ‘em all out. Maybe even the spork. www.untamedva.com

7. HELEN FAT TIRE FESTIVAL: JUNE 15-17, HELEN, GA.

At the Helen Fat Tire Festival, you’ll never hear a rider say something like “My tires aren’t fat, they’re just big-boned.” That’s mostly because it doesn’t make sense and also because fat tires are not something you hide under frumpy clothes. You celebrate them. You play bike games, participate in scavenger hunts, and hold group rides in their honor. And according to SORBA, you also promote trail maintenance and give back to local charities.

www.sorba.org

8. FONTANA DAM JAM: JUNE 16, FONTANA, N.C.

The South Eastern Regional Championship will soon roll into Fontana Village for its seventh stop of the series. Get your caboose over there for some premium USAC-MTB sanctioned mountain mayhem. Races will include a Downhill Mountain Bike Race on Saturday afternoon, with a Short Track Mountain Bike Race under the lights Saturday evening. And if that’s not enough to keep your wheels spinning, check out the Cross Country Mountain Bike Race on Sunday.

www.goneriding.com

9. HARPERS FERRY OUTDOOR FESTIVAL: JUNE 16, HARPERS FERRY, W.VA.

The Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival is held each year to raise money for river conservation and to whet your appetite for quality time on the rapids. Festivities include the Tim Gavin Downriver Race and a boatload of activities for the whole family at the KOA Campground in Harpers Ferry. Dependent on river level, a rodeo and attainment race may be held at an appropriate spot on the Potomac after the race.

www.harpersferryoutdoorfestival.org

10. SIEGE ON FORT YARGO: JUNE 16, WINDER, GA.

Fort Yargo State Park will be the site of unspeakable outdoorsman-like atrocities on an otherwise pleasant summer day in Winder, Ga. Teams of three will storm its 1,814 acres on a 20-mile conquest for guts, glory, and a killer awards ceremony. They will stop at nothing, save a finish line, to pedal, paddle, and push their way past treacherous terrain, optional orienteering points, and a few dreadful mystery events. The onslaught begins at 9:30am.

www.siegeyargo.trailblazerar.com

11. JAMES RIVER ADVENTURE GAMES: JUNE 16-17, RICHMOND, VA.

Featuring competitions in trail running, off-road triathlon, mountain biking, open water swimming, rowing, wake boarding, kayaking, and rock climbing, the James River Adventure Games promises blood, sweat, toil and triumph for experts, beginners and spectators alike. “Richmond is a fabulous setting for an adventure sports event that appeals to seasoned athletes, intermediates, novices or fans,” said Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Sports Backers and James River Adventure Games creator. “Our run and bike trails are some of the toughest in the East, the James River packs a competitive punch, and it all takes place within close proximity of our top notch hospitality amenities.”

Visit www.sportsbackers.org for more information, including a complete schedule of events.

12. 2007 COWBELL CHALLENGE: JUNE 23, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

“I got a fever, and the only prescription…is more Cowbell!” Perhaps Christopher Walken was truly concerned about the aural well-being of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” One might contend, however, that it is more likely that Walken was himself a closet ultra endurance rider and felt it necessary to bring his passion for 12-hour mountain bike racing into the workplace. And though he may not be in attendance this year at the 6th Annual Cowbell Challenge, there will be plenty of food, festivities, and dynamite sounds to fill the void.

www.cowbellchallenge.org

THE FINISH LINE

BEL MONTE ENDURANCE RACE 50K: MARCH 24, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

1. Sean Andrish, Leesburg, Va. 4:19:26

2. Jonathan Basham, Lynchburg, Va. 4:21:30

3. Aaron Schwartzbard, Reston, Va. 4:31:22

2007 UKROP'S MONUMENT AVENUE 10K: MARCH 31, RICHMOND, VA.

1. Teferi Bacha, West Chester, Penn. 00:28:29

2. Fred Mayaka Tumbo, Sante Fe, N.M. 00:28:34

3. Joseph Koskei, West Chester, Penn. 00:28:34

CHARLOTTE RACEFEST HALF MARATHON: APRIL 14, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

1. Jesse Norman, Cullowhee, N.C. 1:11:11

2. Benjamin Nongu, Cary, N.C. 1:13:13

3. Larry Evans, Augusta, Ga. 1:13:22

EX2 GREENHORN ADVENTURE RACE: APRIL 15, TRIANGLE, VA.

1. Warfighters (Adrian Haskamp, Josh Simpson, Ben Wagner) Fredericksburg, Va. 2:21:55

2. Ls Dogs (Christopher Luchtefeld, Rob Russell, Brian Hodge) Gaithersburg, Md. 2:22:44

3. NVRacing Tuesday Morning (Michael Spiller, Neil Mason, Vince Heishman) Centreville, Va. 2:27:09

RACE AHEAD

RUN!

FUN FEST CRAZY 8'S ROAD RACE: JULY 14, KINGSPORT, TENN. www.crazy8s.org

RIDE!

OFF-ROAD ASSAULT ON MITCHELL: JULY 22, OLD FORT, N.C. www.mtngoatepics.com

SURVIVE!

MEDEXPRESS MOUNTAINEER TRIATHLON: JULY 1, MORGANTOWN, W.VA.

www.mountaineertri.com