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Racers stoke the Fire(cracker)Jul 06, 2009 (The Leader-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Chippewa Valley Firecracker sparked interest among mountain bikers of all ages. Competitors ranged from 7-year-old Cole Johnson of St. Paul, who said racers "get to test other people" to see how fast they can bike, to 44-year-old Roger Lundsten of La Crosse, who appreciated the fitness aspect, to 63-year-old Mary Patridge of La Crosse, who began biking at her son's urging. Even 2- and 3-year-olds completed a short lap on bikes -- many fitted with training wheels -- followed by parents who provided some helpful pushes. One child used foot propulsion rather than pedal power. Race director Troy Meives of Eau Claire estimated Sunday's races drew 850 to 900 bikers. He said about 2,000 people attended the event, now in its fifth year. The Firecracker, which the Chippewa Off Road Bike Association hosted at Lowes Creek County Park, is part of the Wisconsin Off Road Series. Meives called WORS the nation's largest state mountain bike racing series. Races started and ended at the Eau Claire County Exposition Center, with categories for riders of different experience levels. Courses ranged from five to 25 miles. Racers came from "pretty much the whole entire Midwest" -- plus Arizona, Meives said. Johnson's dad, Matthew Johnson, who had dirt smudges on his face and legs after racing in the sport division, said he loved the Firecracker course. "It's one of the best in the Midwest," he said, noting riders bike through woods for most of the competition. "It's tough. You have to be paying attention." Cole Johnson finished sixth in his age group on his blue Gary Fisher bike. "It's fun to get some exercise, and it's fun to compete against other people," he said. Patridge and her husband, Richard, 65, race occasionally. They took up mountain biking three years ago. They don't enter many races as most are far from their home, she said, but they often ride trails in La Crosse. Patridge, who bruised her ribs when she fell while riding recently, described mountain biking as fun and challenging. "It helps keep you in shape," she said. Kyle Warras, 16, of Waukesha began racing competitively three years ago. "He gave up eight years of soccer for this," said his mother, Terri Warras. Kyle Warras, who has qualified for state competitions in track and cross country, also gave up long-distance running this year for a longer biking season. "I just have fun doing it," he said. He bikes 30 miles a day and lifts weights to keep in shape. Later this month he will compete in a national mountain bike competition in Colorado. He likes the Firecracker course. The challenging new Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde trail -- a steep, curvy descent with a boulder field at the bottom of the hill -- left marks on his tires from rocks brushing against them, he said. Warras, who entered the top Junior X class, said the race tests riders' fitness and bike-handling skills. Lundsten competes in WORS for fun. The Firecracker marked his fifth race in the series. He described WORS as a "family-oriented series" in which husbands, wives and children participate. His wife, Susan, also competed in the Firecracker. The Firecracker provided children's activities, including inflatable rides, a tent with toys and music. "The whole mountain biking scene has been very positive for communities that have trails," Lundsten said, pointing to the large number in attendance at the Firecracker. A lot of people seek places with bike trails for vacations, he said. Wachter can be reached at 830-5828, 800-236-7077 or [email protected]. To see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |