Date change benefits Pedal Pine Springs race

 

Posted: Sunday, September 13, 2015 1:04 am

 

By: CHRISTINA D. 

 

A change in the date resulted in higher attendance Saturday for the fourth Pedal Pine Springs Mountain Bike Race.

 

Officials decided to change the date from early May to the second weekend in September to give riders a chance to get more riding in and bring in more participants. There were 35 riders who attended this year compared with last year’s 17 riders.

 

“I’m so happy the change in date worked out and we got more riders out this year,” said Justin Shaffer, director of adventure education at Pine Springs Camp near Jennerstown. “We had good number of returning riders as well as some new riders, which is always what we are striving for. I will keep the September race date for next year.”

 

The race registration fees, after the off-setting cost for the race, go to the camp. Shaffer said part of this year’s proceeds will be donated to the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank.

 

There were five different categories for riders this year — fun ride, beginner, fat/skinny, sport and expert. The milage in each category increased from previous years. The fun run was one lap. The beginner was six miles. The fat/skinny was eight miles. The sport was 10 miles and the expert was 14 miles. The fun ride, beginner and fat/skinny riders started at 9:30 a.m. while the sport and expert riders started at 11 a.m.

 

“Next year I think we will do the fun ride at 9 a.m. so that more kids can participate,” Shaffer said. “We had set an age limit of 15 years this year and had parents ask if younger ones could do it. We made an exception for one girl who is a strong rider. I think if we hold it at 9 a.m. they will be off the course for the other riders to start at 9:30.”

 

Abigail Lindeman, 9, of Philipsburg rode the fun lap with her dad Michael Lindeman. 

 

“I have been riding in mountain bike races for at least a year,” she said. “I have done five or six races so far. Most of them were between five and seven miles long. I like the courses that are really bumpy. There were a lot of roots and bumps here. I took a bit of a slip on a rock and got mud on me but every time you fall off you are having fun in my opinion. I have a bunch of bruises to show for it.”

 

Ricky Wagner, 17, of Johnstown won the sport division.

 

He wasn’t able to make last year’s race, but was thrilled to be back for his second time on the course.

 

“This is a course that everyone can enjoy,” said Wagner. “I am in school and work so I only get out once a week or so on my bike. This is a fun, fast course. I do sometimes ride rocks, but this has climbing and a nice flow to it. It’s nice that the race also benefits something local. I definitely will come back and race here again.”

 

Expert rider, Regis Ricketts, of Pittsburgh won his first Pedal Pine Springs race in a time of 1:07:17.

 

“It was a fun course,” Ricketts said. “It was predictable and not too technical, but it held up really well in the rain. I liked that there were a number of fans around the course cheering.

 

“I do a number of races throughout the year including Bike the Wilds which are charity races. I like to attend the ones that benefit something. It’s not easy to put these events on with liability issues. I would like to come back and do this race again.”

 

Shaffer said every rider he spoke with after they completed course had positive things to say.

 

“They really liked the way the course was set up this year, so I will keep the course the same next year,” he said. “At least two riders had close encounters with deer on the course. They liked the laps. They liked that there was wider spots on the course to pass riders and single track as well.

 

“I was excited about the female turnout this year,” he added. “We had five ladies sign up. One was unable to attend, but it was great to have four ladies participate.

 

Shaffer also thanked Boswell Ambulance Service and Ski Den Sports for their services during the race.