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More to Conquer The 2nd Annual Virginia DeRailer 2004 Mountain Bike Race By Micah Gaudio
If you think that one day of cyclists taking on the elements, rocks, trails, grass, creeks, competitors and most of all – themselves – is exciting, then the 2004 Virginia DeRailer Mountain Bike race will take your breath away. It’s a series of five individual races where the bikers must test themselves against a whole new set of obstacles at different locations around the area. While each race is a competition of its own, the points will be tabulated from all the races for the overall series champions. Each race in the five-event mountain bike racing series is sponsored by a local parks and recreation department. The series starts in Rocky Mount with the Third-annual MW Windows Bike Race. From there, the racers will compete in Bedford, Lynchburg, Danville and Roanoke. The classes range from amateur to expert, with courses ranging from beginner to mind-blowing difficult. In late 2002, several Parks & Recreation Departments in central and southwest Virginia started kicking around the idea of a mountain bike race series. Individual races were already taking place, so in early 2003, the Virginia DeRailer Mountain Bike Race Series became a reality with five races planned for the late summer and fall of that year. The races were designed so all riders of all abilities could take part in the series. Overall, the DeRailer will crown a champion in 8 different divisions. Each race has its own identity and importance to the series. Riders can register for all 5 races or for each race individually. Of course, if you are serious about the Series championship, you’ll have to ride in all five. Whether this is your first day on a bike, or you’ve already obtained the mastership of the steep slopes, this race is for you. There are no qualifications or rules to be apart of the race. This exhilarating series will give every rider the recreational benefits of the course. So, if you’re an expert, racing every weekend or racing in your first race, get out to the races. Race #1 MW Windows Bike Race August 15, 2004 Rocky Mount, VA 11a.m. Over 500 acres of rolling terrain, 2 river fords, and the feared “Still Hill” are part of the features that make up this fast and fun course. An awesome race for the first timer or the experienced. These trails have been highlighted in BRO magazine. Enjoy the BBQ and music following the race. Kids will show their expertise in the first race and all will be “winners” and receive prizes. If your family is just interested in having fun, there will be a recreational ride around the park that is not timed. 540-483-9293. Race #2 Falling Creek Park Bike Race September 4, 2004 Bedford, VA 11a.m. A new trail; 6-8 demanding miles over rolling pastures, along creeks, through forested areas; part of the 289 Falling Creek Park. 540-586-7682 Race #3 The Peaksview Park Bike Race September 12, 2004 Lynchburg, VA 11a.m. Presented by Bikes Unlimited, this 2nd annual race offers separate races for novice and expert racers. Peaksview Park offers a tight single track with short and steep climbs— it’s a technical rider’s paradise. 434-385-4157 Race #4 The Brake-N-Trail Bike Race September 18, 2004 Danville, VA 11a.m. Come to Danville to break in the new trail and the new tradition of mountain bike racing. Race #3 of the Series will be in Anglers Park on the ever improving mountain bike trails. This race will be a loop that starts up an old roadbed and winds into a single track woodland trail. Riders of all skill levels will be challenged by this course. 434-799-5215 Race #5 The 4th Annual Poor Mountain Hill Climb October 3, 2004 Roanoke, VA 11a.m. Finish this premier Series with a mass start up Roanoke County’s Poor Mountain. A real knee knockin’, sweat poppin’, jaw droppin’, chin-to-the-bars, PURE climb! “A tough, tough climb” says Scottie Weiss, Team GoMart 2002 U. S. Road Champion and Poor Mountain Record Holder. 540-387-6078 For those who would rather save their energy and watch everyone else sweat it out against the mountains, there will be a variety of vendors, entertainment and other things to do at each venue. For more information on sponsorship, the race itself or to get involved, visit www.bikesunlimited.com or contact each local department.
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