2013 Whiskey Off-Road announces $35,000 cash purse

For those in search of an iconic, Old West city with cowboys who close off a town square, set up a massive stage for a free concert, put in a New Belgium Brewing Beer Garden, line an entire street with more than 65 enthusiastic bike industry vendors and welcome everyone with genuine frontier charm, hospitality and some of the greatest mountain biking in America, then Prescott, Arizona, is the place to be the weekend of April 26-28, 2013.

Thanks in part to the incredible support of sponsors, Prescott National Forest and the City of Prescott, Epic Rides is proud to announce the 10th Annual Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Bike Event, one of the premier mountain bike events in the country.

Known for offering huge cash purses and even huger fun, Epic Rides has upped the ante yet again, announcing one of the biggest one-day cash purses in mountain bike history – $35,000! And because Epic Rides firmly believes in equal pay for equal anaerobic suffering, each of the top ten finishing female and male pro riders will receive equal payout for their masochistic efforts.

For the entrants who simply mountain bike for fun, fitness and maybe a little competition, the Whiskey Off-Road rewards everyone with swagadocious memorabilia like a t-shirt, water bottle, collectible poster, finishers pint glass and, for those true hammerheads who make it on the podium, a genuine stainless steel whiskey flask.

What started ten years ago as a small mountain bike event in a charming, Wild West frontier town has since grown into one of the largest mountain bike celebrations in the country and the essence of what mountain biking – and simply enjoying life – is all about; having fun, staying fit and making lifelong memories with family, friends, and yes, even random strangers in old west regalia.

The three days of festivities start on Friday with a pro men’s and women’s Fat Tire Criterium through the streets of Prescott, an industry and vendor tech expo complete with demo bikes and the newest mountain bike gear as well as a beginner-level “15 proof” (1 mile = 1 proof) fun ride. Saturday starts early with more than 1,500 amateur riders awaiting a cowboy’s gunshot before racing out of town on a 25 proof (25-mile) and 50 proof (50-mile) journey. While the racers are out enjoying the Prescott National Forest, families can experience a full day of activities including kids’ rides, live music and entertainment. Sunday caps off the celebration with the men’s and women’s $35,000 cash purse 50-proof endurance cross-country race.

Amateur registration opens January 1, 2013, visit www.epicrides.com to get more details on this celebration of life, community and the beloved sport of mountain biking.