CLEARLAKE OAKS – Shannon Ridge Winery is proud to announce that Sutter Health has signed on as a major event sponsor for the final race of the 2008 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Ultra-Endurance Calendar.

The event, hosted by Shannon Ridge, and titled the Shannon Ridge Showdown, will take place in Clearlake Oaks Oct. 18 and 19.

"We are always happy to work with organizations that share our passion and vision for health and wellness," said Tammi Silva of the Lakeside Wellness Foundation & Center and the Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

Shannon Ridge proprietor Clay Shannon shares the sentiment and is “excited about Sutter Health’s commitment to the Lake County community and events that promote a healthy lifestyle.”

The Shannon Ridge Showdown Ultra-Endurance race will be a 16-hour competition and the course itself is approximately 7.5 miles in length with over 1,700 feet of climbing per lap. The course route is a combination of single track, double track, fire access roads and vineyard rows.

This is the first time that a USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Ultra Endurance Calendar series race course has included vineyards as part of the course route. The race and course is designed, promoted and directed by endurance racers. Ultra-Endurance racing is one the fastest growing forms of mountain bike racing.

The race will begin in front of the Shannon Ridge tasting room on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks at 4 p.m. on Oct. 18 and will end at 8 a.m. on Oct. 19 in the mountain vineyards directly across from the home of winery owners Clay and Margarita Shannon.

A USA Cycling Mountain Bike race license is required to compete. Registration closes Oct. 11 or when racer limit is reached (300 racers maximum).

More information about the race and registration can be found at www.shannonridgeshowdown.com or by contacting Rick Gunier at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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