Mammoth’s Kamikaze helped establish Mammoth Lakes as a bike Mecca in the mid-80s, about the same time that mountain bikes were being banned from local trails throughout California. It was a time when advocacy was beginning, CORBA was formed, and lift-accessed downhill bike racing in the US had its start. In the world-famous Kamakaze, pros raced the same course as amateurs and success was measured by how much fun you had.
It’s back! Kamikaze Bike Games goes down September 4-8 and includes downhill, cross-country, and enduro races as well as an off-road Gran Fondo and kids race.
This year, there will be much more happening than those early days, including some road cycling events. There’s an award winning century, Gran Fondo or one of the shorter courses to choose from. There will be great food, entertainment, epic riding, and an expo. It promises to bring back the glory of big mountain racing and should be the bike bash of the year!
Mammoth Mountain has generously donated some entries into the race and some Mammoth Bike Park day passes for us to reward our volunteers. We’re excited to see the Kamakaze return, bigger and better than ever, and are grateful for their support of CORBA.