August 2012

To some a relief but to many a bummer: this month signals the end of the mountain bike race season. First up, the Bear Creek Resort MASS Cross-country Finals in Macungie, PA. It isn’t a myth, this course beats you up! The course is loaded with rocks, tight switch backs, long climbs, and tight single track…and a lot of that all at once. Only the strong survive. Chris Edmonds competing in the packed Pro/Cat 1 men’s open class finished a strong 25th (37). Tim Fowley had a very solid race finishing 12th (27) as did Ryan Ashcroft 21st and Mike Bria 23rd. That same weekend racers were battling the mountains at Bear Creek, a WWR delegation headed north to the Dark Horse 40 endurance race in Stewart State Forest in New Windsor, NY. This exclusive race (only 400 racers accepted) is two 20 mile laps starting with a 3 mile gravel road climb to fast, twisty single track with plenty ‘o rocks, drop-offs, and steep short rocky climbs. It was a very hot, humid day, adding to the fun of the race. But who wouldn’t want to race when included in your race fee is a t-shirt, pint glass, bbq and Long Trail beer?!?!? Bring it! The team showed NYers how its done. Pete Borromeo had the spirit and finished 3rd, Rob DiSibio finished 4th and Dennis Dischler 11th out of 32. The gals loaded up the podium with WWR jerseys with Heather Heinrich taking 1st and Nancy Thompson DiSibio pulling in 2nd. If people didn’t know who WWR was before the race, the definitely knew after. The last race of the MASS mountain biking season was the Rattling Creek Endurance Marathon and Endurance Series Finals, in Lykens, PA. Not sure where the name originated, but if you ask any riders after this race, they would likely say its because your bones rattle the entire marathon course! Rocks, rocks and more rocks…makes French Creek look like a jogging trail! While battling the rocks, there are long climbs and very fast downhills. Chris Edmonds (after racing Bear Creek the previous weekend!) came through with an outstanding performance finishing 5th out of 45 racers in Men’s Open. Brendan Reilly also had a great race finishing 19th in the same category.

It was with great excitement that Wooden Wheels Bike Shop opened a companion location to its Newark store in the Concord Square Shopping Center in north Wilmington at 4327 Concord Pike. Wooden Wheels is Delaware's largest family owned bicycle shop providing the latest and best in BMX, Freestyle, Mountain, Road and Comfort-bicycles plus a large selection of accessories. Located across the street from one of the most popular trailheads to the Brandywine Creek State Park and the scenic roads and hills of Chester County, the location is ideal for cyclists of all disciplines. With friendly and knowledgeable staff and a great selection of bikes and accessories, the Wilmington shop is well needed addition to the North Wilmington community.