RANGELEY – The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center will host the Saddleback Challenge Mountain Bike Race on Sunday, Sept. 3. It will be a back-country race that will challenge all riders.

The race will include a fast-track gravel road, wide wood trails and single track with narrow bridge crossings. The whole course works with 200 feet of vertical, so hills are short. The course varies from seven to 21 miles for the different classes.

Race classes are: novice, sport, expert, single speed, junior novice men (ages 12 to 17), junior sport men (ages 12 to 17, junior expert men (ages 12 to 17) and junior open women (ages 12 to 17).

Race day registrations will open at 7:30 a.m. and will close 30 minutes prior to each start time. There will be a staggered mass start at 10 a.m. and a free kids race at noon for kids age 11 and under. There will be a staggered mass start at 1 p.m. for novice, junior novice men and junior open women.

The race is sanctioned by the Eastern Fat Tire Association and an EFTA license is required. Licenses can be purchased for $4 on race day or online at www.efta.com. Fees are $25 for expert, sport and novice and $18 for juniors. Preregister online at www.bikereg.com. Online registration will close Friday, Sept. 1.

Prizes will be awarded in each class, and there will be a free barbecue lunch for the racers. Food will be available for sale to the public. Spectators are welcome.

For more information, contact John Field at Seasonal Cycles in Rangeley at 864-2100 or [email protected]. For directions to the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, go to www.rangeleyxcski.com.