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Report by Mitch Graham
| A slightly longer circuit was used this Sunday in what was the final running of the
Bio Wheels trio of races. With the temperature sitting below freezing all morning long,
the run ups were stretched out quite a bit to facilitate warmer toes for contestants. A 40
ft singletrack run up was coupled with two 60 ft grassy run ups (both with 2 - 15"
hurdles) and a 12" single dismount/bunny hop on fast, flat grass. Two short sand pits
rounded out the circuit. Frozen ground created somewhat difficult conditions all over the
course, with some areas (the corners) thawing quicker than others and causing quite a few
biffs. A total of 33 racers altogether turned up to race. The C’s and women blasted out of the gates at 10 am. Paul Keller (Buffalo Bicycle Club) had a good lead going into the first run up, and carried that lead to the end, winning by 3 ½ minutes (31:32). Dave Nissen (unnat.) and Andy Angst (Spokejunkies) followed in second and third. Richard Arnoldy (Dayton CC) took the 35+ category in 35:56. Courtney Bollman (Bicicletta) used smooth form on the dismounts to win the women’s class by almost 2 minutes. The 11 am race featured loads of action (carnage), as warmer temperatures started thawing out some of the hairpin corners. Position changes were many, with riders going down all over the place. Todd Shoberg (SoBe Headshok) was the first rider down, sliding out into a big tree on the wettest corner of the course. Mitch Graham (Bio Wheels-Jamis) flew out of his pedals attempting to hop the single dismount on the first lap. Both wrecks resulted in twisted bars. Sam Kopper (SoBe Headshok) took the opportunity to put the hammer down and put almost a full minute on the field in the first lap. Ezra Taylor (A.S.S.), riding a single speed, was having his strongest race yet, riding in second most of the race. A late race crash hopping over the single hurdle left him with a bum arm and put him back in sixth. Shoberg made the comeback of the race, after a trip to his car for repairs put him back in last place. He picked off racer after racer to finally finish second in a great effort. Kopper held off Shoberg for the win and a Sobe Headshok first-second sweep. Charley Miller (Bio Wheels-Jamis) once again held off a hard-charging Dave Peterson (KHS) to take fourth. Graham managed to recoup and work his way up back up to third. Two Saturn of Toledo teammates, Mike House and Jonas Root, came down to take it to the B race. Justin Becker (Trycycles/Motorex) kept the race close, as the three riders finished within 45 seconds. House secured the win in 47 min. flat. Rick Toler (Team Dayton) won the 35+ group in 50:44, giving him fifth overall in the B’s. Lisa Matlock (SoBe Headshok) came through in sixth in a strong race once again. The original idea was to make each race progressively more difficult, in preparation for Supercup Chicago. Hopefully this past Sunday’s course gave everyone a workout and got everyone ready. Thanks to all riders who raced this year in our series. Look for some big changes next season. Results A Race
B Race (under 35)
B Race (35+)
Women
C Race (under 35)
C Race (35+)
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