2nd Annual Mountain Bike Race a Success
By Carole Sullivan
Over sixty bike riders from all over New England came to Rangeley to compete in the 2
nd Annual Saddleback Challenge Mountain Bike race.
Held at the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center’s new trails at Saddleback Mountain, riders ranged from expert to novice.
There was even an opportunity for a dozen young kids to race.
The race was sponsored by the Maine Mountain Bike Association, the Eastern Fat Tire Association, and the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center.
The overall winner of the Men’s Expert Class was Adam LaRochelle, who completed the 20-mile trail in 1 hour, 51 minutes, and 47 seconds.
Linda Ruterbories was the overall winner of the Women's Sport Class, clocking in at 2 hours and 24 seconds for the 15-mile track.
Andrew Pettyjohn was the overall winner Men’s Sport Class with a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 40 seconds.
For the 10-mile Novice Class, Ben Green and Helen Anderson were the overall Men's/Women's winner.
Their time was 1 hour, 16 minutes and 1 second and 1 hour, 34 minutes and 38 seconds, respectively.
Jeff Foltz, Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club President, welcomed the racers to the Trails Center, saying that “the trails here are community trails, and they have many uses.
All summer long, these trails were well utilized by mountain bikers, dog walkers, bird watchers and nature lovers.”
Immediate Past President Carol Sullivan and Board Member Penny Pizer have been actively working in the community increasing awareness and encouraging participation at the new trail system.
The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center offers nordic skiers roughly 40 miles of groomed trails during the snow season.
Over five miles are currently single-track trails, for snow shoeing and mountain biking. “The Club is applying for grants that will enable us to further develop more miles of single-track trails”, stated Foltz.
For more information about the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center and the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, please go to
www.rangeleyxcski.com.
