Crankworx Whistler. For mountain bikers, the very name conjures up images of gravity-fueled, fat-tire heroes defying logic and laws of nature, all in the name of Crankworx glory. For the less initiated, Crankworx might mean a busy Whistler village, and many strange full face-helmeted, knee pad-wearing bikers zooming about. Crankworx is ten days of non-stop action, and whether you’re an autograph-hunting aficionado or an MTB newbie, it’s easy to miss out on some of the best events of the week if you’re not prepared. No fear, that’s where we come in. We’ve broken down the Crankworx Whistler 2019 schedule, highlighting some of the events that make this festival so memorable.

Crankworx Whistler 2019: August 8-18

Cam Zink on course at the Joyride Slopestyle. Image: Sean St.Denis, Crankworx

Crankworx turns 16 this year, and like all the years past, organizers will be pulling out all the stops to wow the crowds. The marquee event each year is the Red Bull Joyride, the wild slopestyle event that draws tens of thousands of fans to the base of the bike park to witness a face-melting display of mountain bike aerial wizardry. Watch the best freestyle riders in the world push the sport of freeride mountain biking on a course made up of huge jumps and drops. The best place to watch this jaw-dropping event? From the patio of the Longhorn Saloon of course. Get there early to secure your seat for the mountain bike event of the year and let the Après Lager flow. Joyride takes place on Saturday, August 17th, after a couple of years of a Sunday time-slot. The change in date ensures that even more fans will be able to enjoy the live show, not having to worry about getting back to home and work right after the event concludes – decoded, let the apres flow!

Ferda Girls

Photo by Amy McDermid

Sometimes seen as a male-dominated sport, Crankworx has taken great strides in the last few years to highlight women in all aspects of the festival. Liv and SRAM will be hosting another year of women’s only A-Line on Saturday morning. Yes, ladies all of A-Line is yours for the taking! Not officially on the calendar just yet, but keep your eyes open for a surge of women’s bike clinics covering a wide range of skills. Keep your eyes peeled and snag a spot as soon as you see one, these female events fill up quick for a reason, lady laps are pretty awesome!  Women are also getting an equal cut of the prize purse, unique to the Crankworx series. “There are amazing things happening on two wheels right now and we should be able to recognize women for the feats they accomplish on an equal footing to men,” says Darren Kinnaird, Crankworx General Manager. “Hopefully, this will encourage more women to get involved in competitive mountain biking.”

It would be rude to mention women’s’ biking without tossing a shout of to Micayla Gatto for creating this comical, relatable and empowering video two years ago, Ferda Girls.

And at Night…

The crowd enjoying the show at the Dirt Diaries. Image: Sean St.Denis, Crankworx

It’s not an on-mountain event, but Dirt Diaries is not to be missed. Since June, six eclectic teams of riders and filmmakers have been creating their odes to the sport of mountain biking. Some hilarious, some serious, all world-class productions in their own right. On Wednesday, August 14th the team’s hard work hits the big screen in the Olympic Plaza. Bring snacks and a blanket, and cozy up to some great mountain bike film entertainment.  The multimedia extravaganza doesn’t start here tho, this year the Deep Summer Photo Challenge is on Tuesday, August 13 at Olympic Plaza. After three intense days of shooting, six photographers and their handpicked rider teams present the fruits of their labor, in the form of beautifully crafted slideshows.

Groms Galore

Kidsworx. Image: Sean St.Denis, Crankworx

Kids are celebrated all week at Crankworx. They are, after all, the next generation, and most likely already ride better than you. The competition is fierce and entertaining. Events like Enduro, Village Criterium, Pump Track races, downhill races and more will keep kids of all ages stoked to ride bikes.

Bernard Kerr at the Official Whip-Off World Championships. Image: Sean St.Denis, Crankworx

Crankworx Celebrations

In the 16 years, Crankworx has run, the festival has gone from a niche, almost underground affair, to the biggest event of the year in Whistler, summer or winter. It’s an action-packed 10 days. For mountain bike lovers, there are events for everyone, regardless of age or skill level, and for the uninitiated, the festival is an amazing chance to see Whistler at its finest and witness some incredible bike action.

Crankworx Whistler 2019 full Schedule here.

—

Feature Image: Clint Trahan, Crankworx

Original copy was written by Joe Schwartz with updates by Gibbons Whistler.