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Shelley Osterloh Reporting...Soldier Hollow, the Olympic cross country ski venue, starts the summer this weekend with a big mountain bike race.
And there are lots of things the public can do this summer at the Heber Valley facility.
The winter snow has melted. The track is dry. And instead of skis, mountain bikes glide the downhills and pump up the inclines.
Shaun Wilson, Provo Biker: "THE FLOWERS ARE COMING OUT AND IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. THE RACE COURSE IS REALLY COOL-- LOTS OF INTERVAL RIDING, AND IT'S FAST UP, FAST DOWN. AND THEN JUST CRANK IT OUT OVER THERE. A LOT OF ENDURANCE RIDING, BUT IT'S A FUN COURSE."
A few bikers hit the trails to train for this Saturday's race -- part of the Intermountain Cup Mountain Bike series. More than 250 riders are expected on a 9 mile loop with 11- hundred vertical feet of climb. It will be a challenging, unique ride.
Ed Chauner, Race Organizer: "IT'S FIELDS AND NICE BEAUTIFUL GRASS. IT'S REAL LOW DIRT. SO WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING LIKE IT IS NOW, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE DIRT IN YOUR FACE. IT'S JUST A REALLY PRIVATE, CONCISE VENUE."
Starting Memorial Day weekend you can rent a bike or bring your own and ride the trails, or just walk and enjoy the view.
Shelley Osterloh Eyewitness News: "OLYMPIC SPECTATORS ENJOYED THE OLD WEST FLAVOR OF THE SOLDIER HOLLOW. THIS SUMMER YOU CAN RIDE HORSES ON THE UPPER TRAILS, SEE THE HISTORIC OLD CABINS, OR EAT A CHUCK WAGON DINNER."
Howard Peterson, General Manager, Soldier Hollow: "PEOPLE HAVING FUN AND ENJOYING SOMETHING-- THAT KIND OF THANKED US ALL FOR WELCOMING THE WORLD, WHICH WE LOVED DOING. BUT NOW THERE'S SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US. SO THAT'S WHAT WE ASPIRE ALONG WITH THE OTHER OLYMPIC VENUES. SOMETHING WE CAN MAKE USE OF."
There is a 36 hole golf course going in just north of Soldier Hollow --- part of the growing recreational legacy of the 2002 Olympic Games.
Mountain bikers can show up Saturday morning and still enter the race. Spectators are welcome.
