Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Mountain bikers gearing up for Galena Grinder

Annual mountain bike race on Saturday

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The fifth annual Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial mountain bike race is Saturday, July 28 at Galena Lodge.

The course consists of one 22.5-mile loop featuring 50 percent singletrack. The race starts and finishes at 7,000 feet with a total elevation gain of 3,200 feet in one loop. Course distances are 10 miles for beginners, 17.5 miles for sport class riders and 22.5 miles for expert and pros.

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The marathon race consists of two laps. Winners in all categories will earn a State Championship title, providing they are a resident of Idaho and a member of USA Cycling MTB (formerly NORBA).

The cross country race is part of the USA Cycling MTB XC calendar. It will start at 10:30 a.m. The Galena Marathon, which begins at 9 a.m., is part of the USA Cycling Ultra Endurance calendar. A $2,000 pro purse will be offered.

Register for the race at www.sportsbaseonline.com.

Last year 90 people took part in the Grinder. Dave Harrison won the marathon division in 4:03.37. Jennifer Wilson took the women's title in 4:57.58. Top pros over one lap were Cody Peterson in 1:58.28 and Georgia Gould in 1:58.32.

For the past five years the Grinder has been held in memory of Whit Henry, a 20-year old mountain biking and skiing enthusiast who died in a car accident in July 2003. Henry was a resident of Bellevue and graduate of Wood River High School.