Easy is not a word that is commonly associated with the 107-mile Cascade Cream Puff mountain bike race held in the Willamette National Forest outside of Westfir, Ore.
The Cream Puff is arguably one of the most arduous long-distance mountain bike races in the country, covering 107 miles of trail and boasting 18,000 feet of climbing. Throw in lots of wet weather and cold temperatures and this year's race goes in the books as Epic.
Taking top local honors in the July 12 race was Greg Martin, riding for Spot/Dale's Pale Ale, at 10.45:17. This was good enough for first place in the 35-plus age category of the Singlespeed division. Martin looks to be in fine form heading in to defend his 24-Hour World Singlespeed Championship title July 25-26 at Alberta, Canada.
Ketchum rider Mike Shane, apparently not happy with the suffer factor associated with doing the race on a geared bike last year, opted to ride a Singlespeed this year and was able to improve his time just the same, coming in at 11.41:00.
Next up was Kyle Rafford, also riding out of Ketchum. A virgin to the Cream Puff experience, Rafford came in with a time of 11.43:02.
Joanna Peters, riding out of Hailey, clocked 12.24:38 despite riding over half the race with only three gears because of a mud-induced mechanical.
Overall winner in this year's race was pro rider Troy Berry of Victor, Idaho, who clocked a blazing 9.44:31. Berry was one of only three riders to break the coveted 10-hour mark.
For more information about the race and to check the official results and placings, go to cascadecreampuff.com.
