The fourth annual Hilltop Grasshopper
 bike race for kids is coming up on Saturday, August 17.
The race takes place on Essex County’s Hilltop Reservation in North Caldwell, on a course prepared for both new and experienced riders. Any bike with fatter tires is ideal and mechanics will inspect all bikes for safety and last minute race tuning.
Registration and inspection opens at 7:30 a.m., and closes 15 minutes before start of each category.
Participants must pay a $10 registration fee and sign a waiver, and the participant’s bicycle must pass a technical inspection. A parent or guardian must be present to sign waiver and must be present during the race.
The start times vary by categories and distance:
K – 1st grade boys 9:00 a.m., girls 9:05 a.m. 0.6 miles
2nd – 3rd grade boys, 9:20 a.m., girls 9:25 a.m. 1.2 miles
4th – 5th grade boys, 10:00 a.m., girls 1005am 2.4 miles
6th – 8th grade boys, 10:45am, girls 1050am 3.0 miles
Boys and girls may be combined if there are a low number of registrants for a class. Awards ceremonies will commence shortly after each class finishes with medals for top three finishers in each class. The Hilltop Grasshopper is sponsored by the Essex County Parks Department, the Hilltop Conservancy and Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association, and is held under a USA Cycling Permit.
For directions and more information, see the Web site or send an email
The Hilltop’s trail map is here. There are paved roads and hiking trails marked.
