Sunday, May 30, 2004 -- South Charleston, WV
Race the Trace - WVMBA Pts. #6 (iPO Event Id#: 6018)
Story and photos by Jennifer Cavender

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3]
Past Event Coverage: [2002] [2003]

Racers beware...slopes ahead

They may have taken out the creek crossings, but participants in the Third Annual Race the Trace mountain bike race, held May 30 in Little Creek Park, South Charleston, were far from dry at the finish line. Thanks to a slight drizzle and a technical course, a single track trail marked with steep inclines, declines and tricky obstacles, bikers wore the signature scent of a race well fought – sweat.

The rain made conditions a bit more treacherous than in previous years. Rock Ridge specifically, a trail preluded with a skull and crossbones sign, caused a few bikers some problems. The sheer slope, edged with boulders and pocked with moss-covered rocks, became all the more dangerous as rain melted dirt into slippery goo. As bikers careened down the slope, a steady stream of grunts and expletives were heard as many dismounted their bikes and did the dreaded hike.

Fast and furious down the trail

The wet trails didn’t deter bikers’ spirits though, especially Dan Wilson’s, who is sponsored by Dirty Harry’s Bike Store and Blue Stone Bicycles. A veteran racer (this 17-year old has been competing since he was eight), Wilson looks forward to wet weather.

-I have a better race when it rains,” he said. -I did the course last year, but I liked it better this year because they took out the water crossings.”

Chris Flick (Team Bon Jovi) echoed Wilson’s sentiments, stating that the course was very technical, yet awesome. -I’ve been biking a long time, but this is my first year racing,” he said. -It’s different because you have to go all out all the time. There is no time to stroll and take in the scenery.”

Cruising on the flats

Flick, a Cleveland native, recently graduated from University of Charleston but is sticking around for the summer to compete. He is looking forward to enjoying all the aspects of racing, and while the competition on the course is fierce, the atmosphere on and off the course is great.

After the race, bikers were greeted with the mouthwatering smells of the barbeque and sounds of good conversation, making the race a fantastic way to celebrate Memorial Weekend and rack up points for the WV Mountain Bike series.

Pat McDonald and crew, as usual, ran an excellent race; special thanks were extended to Steve Marshall for "losing" the 7 creek crossings which, in past years, had sabotaged many a bike. The weather almost cooperated – waiting almost 2 hours after race start to burst through the cloud cover and soak riders and spectators alike.

Mandi Riddle, Women’s Pro/Expert, took 1st place at 2 hours, 45 minutes for the 19.2 mile race. Bryan Fawley, Men’s Pro/Expert, finished the same distance in 1st place in 2 hours and 4 minutes. Cai Clothier, racing a 9.6 mile race as a Junior Sport 14 and under, took 1st place in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Steve Thaxton, Men’s Vet Expert, raced 19.2 miles in 2 hours 21 minutes for 2nd place. Andrew Fetty, Men’s Junior Expert, also took 2nd at 2 hours 51 minutes, while Joey Riddle, Men’s Pro/Expert, finished 3rd in 2 hours 12 minutes.

Sport riders raced 14.4 miles: Michael Haid (Men’s Sport 26-34) took 2nd at 1 hour 55 minutes, and Chris Flick (Men’s Sport 19-25) also placed 2nd at 2 hours 3 minutes. Men’s Vet Sport (35+) rider Wes Stafford placed 7th.

The team can next be seen at Tour de Canaan, Granny Gear’s new 4 day, 14 event extravaganza of mountain bike racing in and around Davis, WV June 3rd through 6th.

Team Bon Jovi/West Virginia is sponsored by Jon Bon Jovi (yes, the rock star!), Worldwide Chiropractic and Sports Medicine, Maple Creative, Charleston Bicycle Center, Kenda Tires. Cannondale, Pactimo, Fetty Intensive Training, Hydrapak, and Curve Socks. Please visit our web site at TeamWVBonJovi.com for more information and contact information.