Entries are now being accepted. You can download a PDF or signup on Active.com

The Los Vaqueros Dam Trials returns for a second run on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

It's a pretty simple event, race three miles to the top of the dam.

We release each bike, one at a time and one minute apart.

It's a steady climb, with a really steep section at the end. Last year's winner, Jeff Samson, tripped the clock at 10:08, an average speed of nearly 18 miles per hour. Four riders finished in less than 11 minutes.

We're limited to 85 riders, and we'll have entries ready soon.

For more information, send an e-mail or call (925) 688-8175.

This year, we're having support from the Delta Pedalers . Also, The Wheel Peddler Jim McFarland will bring his mobile bike repair shop to LV.

Jeff Samson of Brentwood blistered the three-mile uphill course with a time of 10.08, an 18 mile-per-hour average to top the small-but-enthusiastic field in 2008.

Four bicyclists were below 11 minutes, and the oldest rider in the competition, 72-year-old Dave Stoeffler, was sixth overall at 11.38 an average speed of 16 mph.

The Dam Trials was the first bicycle event held at the watershed, and was held under near-perfect sunny weather.

Bonnie Couch of Concord was the top woman in the field, also the only woman entered, and took her mountain bike up to the top in 25:00. Bonnie, a Contra Costa Water District employee has run in the Tarantula Run at Los Vaqueros over the last three years.

Bonnie Couch -- here at the start -- topped the women's field on her mountain bike.

Stevie Perez of Brentwood won the Under 18 division with a time of 20.05, an average of 9 mph. Stevie and his father Alfredo have been practicing at Los Vaqueros for several weeks. Alfredo was eighth overall at 12:22, an average of 15 mph.

Stevie Perez races to the top of the dam to to win the under-18 field.

The other three bikers who finished under 11 minutes are:

Jim Sherfy --- 10:22
Scott Parr --- 10:29
Phil Hight---- 10:36