Where mountain biking or trail running meets rifle marksmanship.
A summer biathlon sport combines mountain biking or trail running with rifle marksmanship. Biathlon competitions are open to everyone and are held at Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (CSEC) in Palisade in western Colorado. Weekly practices will be held for target shooting with firearms instruction. During monthly race series competitors will tackle the course on mountain bike or on foot.
If this is your first-time hearing about it, picture a mountain bike or a trail running race where you push hard through a hilly high-desert trail, then stop mid-race at a shooting range, pick up a rifle, and take aim with a .22 caliber rifle at a target 50 meters away. Each time you reach the range you will alternate between prone (lying down) and standing shooting, and each time you will have five rounds to hit five targets. As soon as the target has been hit, a flap falls down, so that anyone can see whether the shot was a score or not. If a flap has not been hit, a penalty lap must be completed for every shot missed.
Target sizes are set at 4.5 cm for prone shooting and 11.5 cm for standing for biathlon rifles and the pros. Competitors using club rifles or their own non-pro biathlon rifles will shoot 11.5 cm in both prone and standing positions. You do not bike or run withe the rifle. Rifles are left in the shooting range on a rack. Depending on the race format, a race will have up to four shooting bouts and up to five biking or running legs.
If you have never shot a rifle before this is a perfect opportunity to give it a try in a safe, fun and supportive environment. The 22-caliber rifles are relatively quiet with no noticeable recoil. You will be given a lesson on safe use of the rifle before the race and at club's practice sessions.
Once you try the summer biathlon, the challenge will keep you coming back to try again, as you work to improve both your accuracy and your athleticism.
Who can participate?
Weekly practice sessions, clinics and races are for people of all ability levels, ages 8 and up. First-time enthusiasts and seasoned competitors are welcome to participate. Participants 15 and younger must be accompanied on the range by their guardian or designated coach.
Where?
The biathlon club trains and holds races at Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (CSEC). Operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CSEC is one of the finest shooting ranges in the U.S. CSEC is located a few miles east of Grand Junction, Colorado, at exit 45 off of Interstate 70.
Costs
- Nordic Ski Pro Club biathlon membership: $10 per day or $75 year
- CSEC facilities pass: $12 day pass or $150 annual pass
- Optional rifle rental: $15 per clinic or race
- Ammunition: $5-$12 for 50 rounds
Nordic Ski Pro and Cameo Shooting and Educational Complex are committed to creating a safe and positive environment for participants involved in the sport of summer biathlon. All club training and race event participants will be required to undergo safety training.
Participants can use their own .22 bolt action rifles or use a club rifle. You will not run or bike with a rifle, and rifle will be left at the biathlon range. Pool rifles will be available for novices and those without their own. These are Savage Mark II rifles.
Participants can use their own .22 bolt action rifles or use a club rifle. You will not run or bike with a rifle, and rifle will be left at the biathlon range. Pool rifles will be available for novices and those without their own. These are Savage Mark II rifles.
Rifle requirements:
- Rifles can have a maximum 5-round magazine or can be a single shot.
- Only non-magnified diopter rear (aperture) and globe front sights are permitted (biathlon sight set).
