Unplugged bikers ride into Nevada
Bordertown Challenge holiday race
A challenging and scenic 26-mile cross-country course
through the Pequop Mountains of Nevada was the setting for Saturday’s
11th annual Bordertown Challenge mountain bike race, which comprised
Nevada’s state championship.
Over Memorial Day weekend, 264 mountain bikers took part
in the third event of the 2001 Wild Rockies "Unplugged" Mountain
Bike Racing Series. It featured Saturday’s cross-country race and Sunday’s
wild, 3.3-mile downhill event.
Top pros on the 26-mile X-C course were Gabriel Blanco of
Sandy, Utah (2.10:49) and Boise’s Barb Kreisle (2.43:03).
Doing well in the top-flight class were Wood River Valley
pros Whit Albright, fourth overall in 2.17:06, and Danny Albright, ninth
in 2.47:00.
Winning their age classes among the 17 Wood River Valley
cross-country racers were Michael McClure (2.21:45 for 26 miles), Whit
Harbaugh (2.22:02 for 22 miles), Angela Strickland (2.16:39 for 22 miles)
and Banks Gilberti (1.52:48 for 13 miles).
In downhill, Hailey’s Moses Mexia clocked the
second-fastest time of seven minutes and nine seconds over the 3.3-mile,
2,000 vertical-foot drop. Jon Wisby of Ketchum was close behind, fourth in
7:24.
Whit Harbaugh (8:16) and Mark Harbaugh (4:36) won their
classes. And Hailey’s Randy Earle (4:10) posted the fastest beginner’s
time for the easier 1.8-mile downhill.
Next series event is the 10th annual Revenge of the
Singletrack Saturday, June 2 at 11 a.m. at Magic Mountain Ski Resort 30
miles southeast of Twin Falls. Check the Web site at www.wildrockies.com.
Here are other class placings and times at the Bordertown:
· Cross-country: 2—Cherry Thornton
(2.50:35), Kathleen Eder (3.04:28) and Dede Draper (1.49:45). 3—Troy
Quesnell (2.26:33) and Mark Harbaugh (1.21:30).
4—Mike Harris (1.25:30). 5—Whit Henry (3.06:19),
Matthew Botti (3.11:30) and Jackson Harris (1.15:16). 6—Jason Eder
(3.08:05) and Dave Bell (2.23:33).
