Saturday, May 1, 1999 -- Bluefield
The Famous Colossal Bluefield Backwoods Bash
Story and photos by Marty Lamp.

[Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Results]
[Iron Horse XC Coverage]

Scott McClain had no time to smell any roses.

After racing on the downhill course at the Bluefield Backwoods Bash this Saturday, riders everywhere could be heard talking about how great the course was. It was no accident, just ask Buzz Johnson and his Backwoods Bike crew, who toiled and sweated over the mountainside in City Park only to come up with a downhill course that was technical, steep, and at times a little sketchy for the out of control. Buzz handed the riders a start that put them in a maze-like switchback section, that included some killer kneehigh log obstacles, and slalom-like lines, and then he let them rest the brakes if they dared. The popular vulture spot was 50 foot section that left the beaten path on the fastest part of course, only to return via an 8-10 foot drop that was way close to vertical.

Robert Mahaffey cruisin' past the logs

Riders would descend the trail twice, the lowest combined time winning, with a cash bonus for whoever had the fastest time. Well, there was no question who the fastest guy down the hill was on this day. Expert rider Scott McClain(3:51.0) had two consecutive runs of 1:55.5 to take the win, and the (two) fastest times of the day. Though McClain was the fastest, he wasn't the only person riding fast. Keeping the competition tight was Expert riders Josh Clark(3:57.1) and John Rosenblatt(3:57.7), who were the only other racers to keep both runs under 2 minutes.

In the mens sport class, Travis Adams(4:11.7) showed great potential, and finished with nearly a 10 second lead over second place Harley Addar(4:21.5), and Tim Hoduck(4:22.1). Hats off to the lone female racer on the mountain, Sharon Mahaffey(5:54.5). The best carnage of the day, though witnessed by only a few, was Buzz's attempt to fly off the 10 foot bank. He flew well; the landing was questionable, and definitely not preferred, but he finished it in one bruised piece.

The cash prizes for experts, great prizes for sport winners, and smokin' hamburgers just added to an awesome race in a fun and friendly environment. If you weren't there, you missed out...