EMBFEST TOP 5 SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2023 EDMONTON'S MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL THINGS TO DO AT THE 2023 FESTIVAL Free, fun, family friendly riding activities: page 10. embfest ca
contents September 8-10, 2023 06 FESTIVAL MAP Explore the 2023 locations in the Edmonton area 09 WHAT'S NEW Launching new activities & updates for the 2023 festival 16 FESTIVAL SCHEDULES Plan your festival weekend & check out all the activities 21 MTB XC RACE New for 2023, EMBFest hosts a Provincial Race 23 EXHIBITOR LISTINGS Get the best deals on bike lifestyle products at EMBFest 03 embfest ca
EMBFest Producer Contributors Adam Luciuk Devon Brown Oxburger Studios September 8-10, 2023 04 Edmonton's Mountain Bike Festival 9311 87 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta phone: 780-718-4878 email: info@offbeatentertainment ca EMBFest is a locally owned and operated festival The festival is a proud partner of Bike YEG (bikeyeg com) All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part strictly prohibited The EMBFest team makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions The inaugural 2022 EMBFest On the Cover Offbeat Entertainment
EMBFest Founder & Producer
We are excited to be bringing EMBFest back to the Edmonton area for the second year!
Edmonton has great riding with hundreds of KMs of singletrack trails Join us in showcasing all that the Edmonton mountain bike community has to offer over the 3 days of EMBFest
We have made some changes for 2023. There is expanded family friendly activities including 12 years and under, and women
WELCOME TO EMBFEST 2.0!
specific activities. The Alberta Provincial XCO Race is part of the festival this year, details page 21
We are also organizing the largest bike lifestyle sale in the Edmonton area on Friday. Check out all the exhibitors on page 23
EMBFest is free to access due to the support from the mountain bike community in Edmonton: Activity Passes are available
We can't wait to see this year at Queen Elizabeth Park!
2023 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
Trailblazers Activities
There are expanded free access and pass activities for the young riders 12 years & under Join the activities for a weekend of fun!
MTB XC Races
EMBFest is playing host to an Alberta Provincial XCO Race on Saturday, September 9 included with your Weekend Pass: Page 21.
Adam Luciuk
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COMING SOON
September 8-10, 2023 06
2023 FESTIVAL MAP
COMING SOON
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WHAT'S NEW SATURDAY FRIDAY Industry Day Bike Movie With your Activity Pass: Go against fellow riders to set the fastest time SUNDAY Timed Hot Laps MTB XC Race Community Day Family Day Seminars Trailblazers Activities Industry Events Photo Contest INDUSTRY EVENTS embfest ca 09 MOUNTAIN BIKE MOVIE SHOWCASE MTB XC RACE TRAILBLAZERS ACTIVITIES MOUNTAIN BIKE SEMINARS PHOTO CONTEST TIMED HOT LAPS Join Edmonton areas largest bike ifestyle event: Free to access, chat with pros & learn about new products Check out one of the hotest new mountain bike movies Friday in the Craft Beer Hub An Alberta Provincial XCO Race is coming to the festival Registration is included in Weekend & Race Pass. with the Trailblazers pass Access fun riding activities all weekend. **The Trailblazers Race is available for <17 yrs with a Sunday Activity Pass.** Show off and enter photos in the mountain bike photo contest with public judging on Saturday *Enter online by August 31, 2023 Learn and engage with riders all weekend with free seminars Trailblazers Race (<17yr) Activities for 12 years and under are expanded
Light The Trail, craft beer, live music and more!
Activity Passes support the longevity of the festival while giving you access to all the festival activities Access deals, take part in fun contests, join group rides, compete in races, and more!
Trailblazers Passes
For ages 12 yrs & under, Trailblazers Passes give access to all the kid friendly activities throughout the weekend Check out the schedules on starting on page 16
COMMUNITY GROUP RIDES
Activity/Trailblazers Pass
Join the Edmonton mountain bike community on organized group rides all weekend long. Group rides are led by amazing volunteers and local ride group taking you on some of the best trails in the river valley Meet new people and have fun riding
CRAFT BEER HUB
FREE Access
The best outdoor patio in the city (in our opinion) is free to access and located on the festival grounds in the heart of the city. Featuring some of the best local breweries with themed tastings, movie showcases, local live music and other presentations The Craft Beer Hub is a great place to catch up with apres ride beverages.
*Please don't drink and ride*
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Activity Passes FREE Access WAYS TO ENJOY
The Trail, where re installed along a ack trail for the n of the festival access and open Saturday and evening, ride he trail "Won't Die" ark. Light The Trail ng and expanding en more engaging along the trail.
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embfest ca 11 FREE Access The best deals on bike lifestyle products starting on Friday with the largest event in Edmonton where you can engage with industry and pros LIGHT THE TRAIL BIKE SKILLS AREA & RODEO Friday Pass Saturday Pass Sunday Pass Weekend & Race Pass Trailblazers Pass $20 $20 $20 $50 $10 Activities + Industry Events Activities + Timed Hot Laps Activities + Feature Group Rides All Activities + MTB XC Race 12 yrs & Under, All Activities + Race ACTIVITY PASS PRICES LOCAL BUSINESS EXPO FREE Access OR Activity/Trailblazers Pass Expanding with more activities to do around site to practice your skills Access the skills area and temporary features for free or join a skills session or bike rodeo with an Activity Pass
EXPLORING THE RIVER VALLEY
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN A PRAIRIE CITY
The Edmonton River Valley system is the largest urban park in North America, running from the townsite of Devon in the Southwest all the way to the city of Fort Saskatchewan in the Northeast Throughout this system, there are more than 150 KMs of singletrack trails for variety of abilities. These trail play host to the tens of thousands of riders who use the system year-round
The city of Edmonton has become a hub for mountain biking in the prairies. It is an unexpected location to play host to a large number of local clubs, bike shops, group rides and programs The Edmonton Bike Park is even coming to the heart of the system
This vast network of trails is actively maintained by the Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance, a volunteer run organization dedicated to the maintenance, education, advocacy and further development of the trails in the area. Edmonton soils and trails are clay-based That means they get pretty mucky when they are wet and are easily rutted if they are ridden that way Ruts are
WHO SAYS A PRAIRIE CITY CAN'T HAVE AN AWESOME SINGLETRACK NETWORK?! LEARN MORE AT BIKEYEG.COM
hard to fix. The local riders have a motto to ask yourself before you head out and ride: Are the trails dry yet?
The trails in the river valley aren't only utilized by mountain bikers They are used by the vast majority of local people and visitors in a multitude of ways. Here are a few tips to keep everyone smiling:
Be aware of other trail users: Trails are multi-use and multi-directional People on mountain bikes yield to people on foot Mountain bikers going down yield to mountain bikers going up Bells and yells help others know you are on the trail
Stay alert and keep it mellow at trail exits and junctions Stay in control of your bike
With so much to do and so many places to ride in the area, how can you keep track of it all? To help to grow the recognition of riding in Edmonton and make it easier for locals and visitors alike to ride the area, EMBFest is happy to partner with Bike YEG
Bike YEG is a new portal for all things biking in the Edmonton area From Devon to Fort Saskatchewan, there is a trail experience for everyone Check out the people, groups and local businesses that make it all possible at bikeyeg com
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EMBFEST EXPO INFO COMING SOON
September 8-10, 2023 14
INFO COMING SOON
PTEMBER 8 embfest ca 15
TRY DAY
Attendance at EMBFest is FREE! Activity Passes give you access to all the 2023 EMBFest activities. The group behind EMBFest aims to invest all proceeds back into the Edmonton mountain bike community Check out the full schedules and plan your EMBFest Events & Activities 90+ festival Schedule September 8-10, 2023 16 Hours of Riding 25 Awesome Days 3 Friday Saturday Sunday Join the largest industry event in the Edmonton Area EMBFest is playing host to Provincial XCO Races Come out for a day filled with family friendly activities Industry Day Race & Community Day Family Day
Friday, september 8 5:45-6:15 PM 6:30-7:45 PM 6:45 PM 7:00-8:30 PM 7:45 PM 7:30-10:30 PM TRAILBLAZERS Skills Session TRAILBLAZERS Group Ride TRAILBLAZERS Hill Climb Bike Obstacle Course TRAILBLAZERS Bike Rodeo #1 Light The Trail *TRAILBLAZERS Activities Require Pass embfest ca 17 Kid Friendly Activities (12 yrs & under)* Mountain Bike Seminars FREE Access* 5:30-6:00 PM 7:30-8:00 PM Bike Park Update Women's Ride Meeting *In the Craft Beer Hub EMBFest Activities Activity Pass (13 yrs+) 6:00-8:00 PM 6:15-7:00 PM 6:30-8:00 PM 7:15 PM 8:00 PM Showcases, Demos & Events Skills Sessions Group Ride Hill Climb Race Bike Rodeo #1 MTB XC Race Weekend & Race Activity Pass 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM Race Office Opens Course Open for Inspection Course Closes Race Office Closes Free Activities 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00-8:00 PM 6:15 PM 7:00 PM 7:00-8:30 PM 8:15 PM 8:30 PM Trail Bingo Available EMBFest Scholarship Presentation New Product Showcases, Demos & Industry Events Beer Tasting - TBD (*Price of Beer) Jump Jam Bike Obstacle Course Beer Tasting - Apres Bikes (*Price of Beer) Video Showcase - TBD Open 5:00 - 10:00 PM Open 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Open 5:00 - 9:00 PM Local Business EXPO & Food Trucks Craft Beer Hub Light The Trail
Saturday, september 9
MTB XC Race
Weekend & Race Activity Pass
9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 1:00 PM 2:45 PM
Race Office Opens U15/U17 Sport/U17 Expert Novice/Sport Elite/Expert Race Awards
Mountain Bike Seminars
FREE Access*
3:30-4:00 PM 4:30-5:00 PM 5:30-6:00 PM 6:30-7:00 PM 7:30-8:00 PM
Free Activities
10:00-11:30 AM 1:00-9:00 PM 1:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:30-7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM
TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Open 12:00 - 10:00 PM
Open 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Bike Obstacle Course Open Vote in the Photo Contest Jump Jam Provincial XCO Race Awards Live Music - Dylan Farrell Jump Jam Beer Tasting - TBD (*Price of Beer) Bike Obstacle Course Open Live Music - Punch Buggy Jump Jam Beer Tasting - Guess The Brewery (*Price of Beer) Live Music - The Give 'Em Hell Boys
EMBFest Activities Activity Pass (13 yrs+) 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 3:30 PM 4:15-5:00 PM 4:30-7:00 PM 5:00-6:30 PM 5:00-7:00PM 5:45 PM 7:15 PM
Group Ride Photo Contest (*Aug 31 Entry)
Group Ride Bike Rodeo #2 Skills Session
Big Wheel Trikes Group Ride Timed Hot Laps Bike Rodeo #3 Big Wheel Trike Races
PM
AM
PM
Business
& Food
Open 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Local
EXPO
Trucks Craft Beer Hub
Light The Trail
10:00-11:30
12:00-12:30
2:00-3:15PM 3:00
3:00-4:00 PM 4:00-5:00 PM 5:15PM 5:30-7:00 PM 7:30-10:30 PM Bike Obstacle Course TRAILBLAZERS Skills Session TRAILBLAZERS Group Ride TRAILBLAZERS Bike Rodeo #2 Kids Games TRAILBLAZERS Timed Hot Laps TRAILBLAZERS Bike Rodeo #3 Bike Obstacle Course Light The Trail *TRAILBLAZERS Activities Require Pass Kid Friendly Activities (12 yrs & under)*
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Sunday, september 10
Trailblazers Race (Under 17 yrs)
Trailblazers OR Sunday Pass
9:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:30 PM
Race Office Opens Trailblazers Races Bike Parade & Awards
Mountain Bike Seminars
FREE Access*
12:30-1:00 PM 1:30-2:00 PM 2:30-3:00 PM 3:30-4:00 PM
TBD TBD TBD TBD
Free Activities
10:00 AM 12:00-2:00 PM 12:30 PM 1:00 PM 1:30 PM 1:45-3:15 PM 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM
Trail Maintenance
Vote in the Bike Show & Shine
Bike Parade
Local
&
Open 12:00 - 6:00 PM
Open 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Beer Tasting - TBD (*Price of Beer)
Jump Jam Bike Obstacle Course Open Live Music - Eric Kane Scavenger Hunt Jump Jam Beer Tasting - TBD (*Price of Beer) Live Music - The Lowly Gents
EMBFest Activities
Activity Pass (13 yrs+)
12:00 PM 12:45 PM 1:00-2:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:30-4:30 PM 3:15-4:00 PM 3:45 PM
Enter in the Bike Show & Shine
Bike Rodeo #4
Timed Hot Laps Group Ride Big Wheel Trikes Skills Session Bike Rodeo #5
Kid Friendly Activities (12 yrs & under)*
12:30 PM 1:15 PM
1:15-1:45 PM 1:45-3:15 PM 2:00-3:15 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM 3:00-4:30 PM
Bike Parade & Race Awards
TRAILBLAZERS Bike Rodeo #4
TRAILBLAZERS Skills Session
Bike Obstacle Course Open
TRAILBLAZERS Group Ride
Scavenger Hunt
TRAILBLAZERS Bike Rodeo #5
TRAILBLAZERS Timed Hot Laps
*TRAILBLAZERS Activities Require Pass
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Business EXPO
Open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Food
Trucks Craft Beer Hub
Light The Trail
MTB XC RACE embfest ca 21 Schedule More information and full Technical Guide available online at embfest.ca 4:00-9:00 PM 5:00-8:00 PM Race Office Open (Package Pick-up) Course Open for Inspection & Riding Saturday, September 9 9:00 AM-3:00 PM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 1:00 PM 2:45 PM 7 Expert vice, Sport xpert, Elite Friday, September 8 Track Details categories Registration Event Partners Travel & Accomodation Visit Bike YEG: bikeyeg.com Registration is included with your "Weekend & Race Pass" Start/Finish: Lap Length: Elevation Change: EMBFest 4.6 km ~110m/lap U15 - Under 15 as Dec. 31/23 U17 Sport/Expert - Under 17 as Dec. 31/23 Novice - 17+ yrs, new to racing Expert - 17+ yrs, results racing in sport Sport - 17+ yrs, experience racing Elite - 18+ yrs, the top expert racers Race Office Open U15/U17 Sport/U17 Expert Races Novice/Sport Races Expert/Elite Races Awards Presentation
TRAILBLAZERS RACE September 8-10, 2023 22 Fun races designed for young riders and older recreational racers: registration is open to all participants ages 16 yrs and under with a "Trailblazers" or "Sunday Pass" Category descriptions are available online Visit embfest.ca to register Sunday, September 10 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM Race Office Open Dialed (U15 & U17) Geared (U13 & U15 & U17) Gnarly (U11 & U13) Little Rippers (U9) Little Pedalers & Striders (U7) Bike Parade & Awards 2023 FESTIVAL SPONSORS Activity ($2,500+) Prizing / supporters ($1,000+) Premier ($5,000+) Schedule Course The course will start and end at EMBFest
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COMING SOON
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EXHIBITORS
COMING SOON
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EXHIBITORS
ACTIVITY LEADERS
COMING SOON
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LOOKING FORWARD
EMBFest is a locally grown event with plans to continue to showcase biking in the Edmonton river valley through the annual festival celebrating the bike community Our goal is to present the Edmonton area as a world class biking destination, and we are proud to announce the ability to further this work as a
founding partner of Bike YEG Stay up to date about the festival, Bike YEG and all things biking in the Edmonton area online, in regular print materials at your local bike shop and by following us on social media, @embfest
EDMONTON BIKE PARK
Coming to Queen Elizabeth Park, designed and built by the Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA), this project is in the works Follow updates at edmbikepark ca
2024 FESTIVAL
Details about the 2024 EMBFest will be released in the fall of 2023.
BIKE YEG
Want to stay up to date on all thing biking in the Edmonton Area? Follow the Bike YEG network through regular print materials at your local bike shop, online at bikeyeg com and on social media @bikeyeg
VOLUNTEER
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Get involved with the 2023 EMBFest: Sign up to volunteer at embfest ca
#embfest @embfest
