Mountain bike racing returns to Booker T. Washington State Park March 10-11 with three different types of races to kick off the 2012 Tennessee Bicycle Racing mountain bike race schedule.
The Booker T. Washington race is promoted by the local Velo Vixens Cycling Club, and for just the second year, the March 10 racing will feature a time trial - with riders competing against the clock over a five-mile route - as well as a short-track race.
The short-track competition is like a "roller derby" on mountain bikes, according to race director Ken Radley with Scenic City Multisport. Racers will complete laps on a one-kilometer course for 20 minutes, followed by a mad dash over three final laps to the finish.
Sunday's racing will feature the traditional cross-country mountain bike race of various distances.
Radley said that more than 100 racers are expected to compete throughout the weekend. "People can come out and watch, or we'd love to have people come out and volunteer," Radley says. "And anyone can come out and even as a beginner they can race."
In addition to the mountain bike racing, the Booker T. Duathlon will also be held March 10. The multisport race has competitors complete a two-mile run, followed by an 11-mile bike ride on open roads, and the race concludes with another two-mile run.
Registration for all events is available online at sceniccitymultisport.com or mountain bike racers can register at Booker T. Washington State Park on the day of the race.
Chattanooga natives Brad Cobb (right) and Stephen Lebovitz (left) recently raced the TransAndes Challenge mountain bike stage race in Chile.Cycling South America
Two local mountain bikers recently completed a successful run at the six-day TransAndes Challenge mountain bike stage race in Chile. Brad Cobb finished the race with a total time of 24 hours, two minutes and 37 seconds to place eighth in the open men division, and as one of the top overall finishers as well. Stephen Lebovitz turned in a time of 29:06:42 to finish fourth in the 45+ men division.