Meet Dave Wiens, a long-time Firecracker 50 participant. Newbies --- take note..... 

Q: What made you want to sign up for the Firecracker 50?

A: Man, that was so long ago, but back then I just loved racing, and a race in Breck on the Fourth of July sounded great. Racing on July 4th was unique because it can fall on any day of the week. Westy was so clever to come up with it—it never coincided with any other events.

Q: How many years have you done the Firecracker 50?

A: Hard to say, but at least ten.

Q: How does your first Firecracker compare to the last one you did?

A: The bike I rode most recently was way better than the bike I rode in the first one—ha! And the course continually improved, got to be more fun.

Q: What makes the Firecracker 50 special or different from other races you've done?

A: Rolling out with the parade from downtown—one year I got to roll at the front with CJ Meuller, who I met skiing at A-Basin when I was in high school. He’s a legend!

Q: What advice would you give someone racing their first Firecracker?

A: Just do it! It’s a classic event in the world of mountain biking.