So happy together...

Shake and Bake....

It's great to see the participants at this years OMBC "S & S" Trails race enjoying themselves with the LeMans style start to the race this past Sunday, hey? Well, due to rain early in the morning Chris Skinner (Team Trek - Ohio Valley and honorary race chairman) opted to use a LeMans style start to the race in order to help thin out the riders as they headed onto a slick course.

The rain held off during the race though, and about mid way through the sun came out and began to dry out the course, making the terrain feel more like a sponge rather than a hard pack trail.

The afternoon belonged to flies; well, the Gary Fisher HiFi's and Superfly's that is as the top spots in the Expert Men, Expert Vet Men and Expert Womens were all won on either a Gary Fisher HiFi Procaliber or Superfly.

So, all the home cookin' from our hosts (Chris and Colleen Skinner) provided a great day of results for the home team,and a chance to send back top results to the mother ship (Waterloo, Wisconsin).

Congrats to Brad Wilhelm as he put a good lead on the pack from the onset and held the gap for the entire race. He had an exceptional ride even after racing the prior evening (Saturday night) at Vulture's Knob taking 1st Place in that race as well. Justin Pokrivka (Dirty Harrys) took 2nd followed by Trek rider Steve Twining 3rd and Fisher/Subaru riders Whitney Jones and Joe DeVault in 4th & 5th respectively.

Travis Saeler (Fisher 29er Crew) finished 1st in the Vet Expert Division and 2nd overall (to Brad) as he seemed to float over the slick stuff while Amanda Sproat (Fisher 29er Crew) took 1st Place in the Women's Expert field.

Another 1st Place honor went to Trek/VW Ohio Valley rider  Christopher Spring in the High School Sport Division with teammate Jordan Morozowsky taking 3rd just behind Cameron Lookabaugh (who finished 2nd).

What makes this one of the special OMBC races for me is the fact it's the home turf (literally) of Chris and Colleen Skinner, who not only co-host this great race but also provide an excellent feast for all the riders immediately following the race. So, not only do they prep the course, get the food laid out but also find time to race as well (Chris finished 3rd in his race and Colleen grabbed 2nd place in the Womens Sport field). Chris also is the team manager for the regions Trek/VW Ohio Valley racing team which I'm very proud to be affliated with. The Skinners and this entire family of riders (and all their families) is what this sport of mountain bike racing is all about.

Thanks again Chris and Colleen for hosting this excellent race and all the individuals that help make this an awe inspiring afteroon of racing and of course, excellent food!!!

(I've posted all the pics in the photo album section - 08 S&S Race)

Bob