tanya
03-04-2007, 11:26 AM
St. George, Utah
Kim Abbott watched her son cross the finish line at the first mountain biking race of the year on Saturday.
Ian Abbott, 3, of Draper, was in his first race at the Classic Desert Rampage in the dirt hills up the street from Green Valley Spa, 1871 W. Canyon View Drive. This race is the beginning of a series of races in the Intermountain Cup for mountain bike racing.
Glenn Ames, director of the Classic Desert Rampage, said he started the race 12 years ago.
"I wanted to promote mountain biking in the area," he said. "This area was very undiscovered back then."
Rick Sunderlage, 37, one of the racers, said he has been mountain biking 10 years.
"Living in Utah, it's a good way to stay in shape," he said.
Ames said there were 300 riders in the race with ages ranging from 3 to 65.
"It's a great fitness sport that you are able to continue to ride your whole life," he said. "It's a great way to get kids off the couch."
Chandler Harr, 11, of Bloomington, took second place at the Desert Rampage as a beginner in his age group.
"I like the adrenaline and the rush of the competition," he said.
Harr said he likes mountain biking because he enjoys the mixes of the up hills and down hills. He plans to continue to bike and also to do road biking.
Dennis Stacy, 28, of Salt Lake City, raced in the beginner class for his age group and took first place.
He's been involved with mountain biking for a year and hasn't bought a bike of his own yet.
"I don't even own a bike, but I do the races," Stacy said. "I enjoy the races because I'm competitive," he said. "I work hard and I like to push myself."
Kim Abbott said she considers herself a fan although she doesn't bike herself.
"My job is to pass out water bottles and ring the cow bell," she said.
Kim Abbott said her family mountain bikes as a family activity.
"This is how we spend our vacations," she said. "I don't bike, but it's a great family activity. It's healthy and fun."
Craig Koster, 38, from Salt Lake City, also came out to support his girlfriend in the race.
"I'm the unofficial water boy," he said.
Koster said he doesn't mountain bike, but he participates in marathons and triathlons.
"I'm a fan of any athletic endeavor," he said.
http://www.thespectrum.com
Kim Abbott watched her son cross the finish line at the first mountain biking race of the year on Saturday.
Ian Abbott, 3, of Draper, was in his first race at the Classic Desert Rampage in the dirt hills up the street from Green Valley Spa, 1871 W. Canyon View Drive. This race is the beginning of a series of races in the Intermountain Cup for mountain bike racing.
Glenn Ames, director of the Classic Desert Rampage, said he started the race 12 years ago.
"I wanted to promote mountain biking in the area," he said. "This area was very undiscovered back then."
Rick Sunderlage, 37, one of the racers, said he has been mountain biking 10 years.
"Living in Utah, it's a good way to stay in shape," he said.
Ames said there were 300 riders in the race with ages ranging from 3 to 65.
"It's a great fitness sport that you are able to continue to ride your whole life," he said. "It's a great way to get kids off the couch."
Chandler Harr, 11, of Bloomington, took second place at the Desert Rampage as a beginner in his age group.
"I like the adrenaline and the rush of the competition," he said.
Harr said he likes mountain biking because he enjoys the mixes of the up hills and down hills. He plans to continue to bike and also to do road biking.
Dennis Stacy, 28, of Salt Lake City, raced in the beginner class for his age group and took first place.
He's been involved with mountain biking for a year and hasn't bought a bike of his own yet.
"I don't even own a bike, but I do the races," Stacy said. "I enjoy the races because I'm competitive," he said. "I work hard and I like to push myself."
Kim Abbott said she considers herself a fan although she doesn't bike herself.
"My job is to pass out water bottles and ring the cow bell," she said.
Kim Abbott said her family mountain bikes as a family activity.
"This is how we spend our vacations," she said. "I don't bike, but it's a great family activity. It's healthy and fun."
Craig Koster, 38, from Salt Lake City, also came out to support his girlfriend in the race.
"I'm the unofficial water boy," he said.
Koster said he doesn't mountain bike, but he participates in marathons and triathlons.
"I'm a fan of any athletic endeavor," he said.
http://www.thespectrum.com