OFFROAD RACE SERIES
	Tour of the Mining Country Race -- July 14th, 2002 -- about 35 miles


Fifteen riders showed up to test their mettle against the Tour of The Mining 
Country Race, a brutally long cross country race involving steep climbs, mud 
and some narrow trails laced with short, jagged stumps (punji sticks?).

The Fairbanks Cycle Club hosted the event, which was free to any cycle club 
member, and only $5 dollars for the day for non-members.  

The course starts at the base of Amanita Drive, off Chena Hot Springs Road.  
Ascending relentlessly for two miles, the road turns into an improved trail, 
briefly desceding but then climbing more, eventually all the way to the end 
of Gilmore Trail.  After following Gilmore trail for no more than two miles, 
the course takes off to the right, following a sketchy dirt road almost all the 
Way to Cleary Summit, crossing the Fort Knox Gold Mine road.  Finally, the 
course ascends a mossy, stick filled path, and drops down to a dirt road, 
eventually taking riders to Cleary Summit, the halfway point.  

Going back the way they came, riders followed their tracks all the way back 
to Gilmore Trail, and continued along Gilmore Trail until it became pavement.  
Following the pavement for a brief time, racers then followed an narrow surveyors 
style cut through the woods, and cranked to the finishline along Tungsten and 
ending on Juniper.

Finishing first overall was Kevin Petrone, who posted an amazing time of 2 hours, 
thirty-six minutes, fifty-seven seconds.  Given the nature of the terrain, Kevin 
had to be pushing speeds of more than 40 MPH in sections of the course, as some 
of the course was ridden at a walking pace.  

David Delcourt held off Jim Lokken to secure second place in Expert Men.  Pete 
Fix had a great showing in Sport Men, finishing in three hours, eleven minutes, 
and fifty-one seconds.  He was followed by Steve Clautice in second, and Nathan 
Adams in third.

Pete Wilda finished first in the half-course, followed by Anthony Werner, on 
his excellent new Giant bike.

Noah Mery took first in Junior Men, followed by Tommy Lokken.

In the "I think he's an animal" division, local legend Rocky Reifenstuhl showed 
up and raced finishing fourth in Expert Men.  Of course, he hiked in the Brooks 
Range all the previous day, then drove from 1 AM to 9 AM to return to Fairbanks, 
where he immediately entered the race.  Not only did he finish the race under 
his own power, he did so in just over three hours.

Thanks to volunteers Doug and Marcia Burnside, and to Tom Clark, the race 
organizer.  

					Division	Overall
Expert Men		Time		 Finish		 Finish
==========		====		========	=======
Kevin Petrone		2:36:56		1		1
David Delcourt		2:42:23		2		2
Jim Lokken		2:44:43		3		3
Rocky Reifenstuhl	3:07:33		4		4
							
Sport Men					
=========					
Pete Fix		3:11:51		1		5
Steve Clautice		3:16:35		2		7
Nathan Adams		3:31:10		3		9
Hank Statscewich	3:31:14		4		10
Christopher Conn	3:50:38		5		11
Randy Garcia		3:58:23		6		12
Doug Burnside		4:35:30		7		13
							
Junior Men						
==========						
Noah Mery		3:13:31		1		6
Tommy Lokken		3:26:40		2		8
							
							
HALF COURSE						
							
Sport Men						
=========						
Pete Wilda		2:15:00		1		NA
Anthony Werner		2:30:00		2		NA