The Sunset DH Series mountain bike events are back on in Williams Lake, despite a soggy start to the spring events.
The Williams Lake Cycling Club held their first of three downhill mountain bike fun races planned for this spring on Tuesday, May 7. Racers registered at the Tourism Discovery Centre and were issued their timing chip and told the trail they would be riding, which was Aflo, on the Fox Mountain Trail Network.
Leading up to the event, organizers were waiting to see if they could go ahead, as a heavy downpour fell just shortly ahead of the planned start.
“It went really well, although the heavy rain made for very slick conditions,” said Dena Baumann, one of the organizers.
She said if the rain hadn’t quit when it had, they would have postponed the event, but she said riders “dialled it back a bit and kept it safe.”
With only a few slide outs and minor wipe outs, no first aid was required and all riders completed the race, said Baumann.
A total of 51 mountain bikers took part in the fun event aimed at offering all ages an opportunity to participate and challenge themselves.
About 25 volunteers helped make the event possible as well, helping with registration, as course marshals, first aid, timing, set up and organizing.
“It was amazing how many folks reached out to help, and not just parents whose kids were racing,” said Baumann.
She said Mount Timothy Ski Patrol coordinated the first aid and Central Cariboo Search and Rescue were available on stand by in case they were needed.
After the event, racers and volunteers gathered at the Fox Mountain Brewery for a warp up and results event.
“We were happy with how it all went and are excited for the season,” said Baumann.
Their next Sunset DH Series event will take place on May 29, with a third planned for June 19. Participants can pay the $5 registration fee between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Tourism Discover Centre parking lot the day of the race. Participants must be a member of the Williams Lake Cycling Club to register and younger racers should line up at the start by 6 p.m., 18+ riders line up at 7 p.m.
Results: Male ages 10-12 first - Cooper Engle, second - Kemp Yeninga, third - Oren Goodrich; Female ages 13-14 first Noemi Baumann; Male ages 13-14 first - Kalan Vath, second - Reid Rife, third - Cooper Seabourne; Female ages 15-17 first - Nadia Wallin, second - Isabelle McMath; Male 15-17 first - Rhys Vath, second - Evan McMath, third - Caleb Engle; Female 18-29 first - Anika Wallin, second - Lexi Hamm, Male 18-29 first - Wilson Thompson, second - Aiden Fulton, third - Zac Davis; Female 30-43 first - Lauren Beaulieu, second - Alex Newmann; Male 30-43 first - Brandon Douglas, second - Cory Brunelle, third - Jeremy Stowards, Male 44+ first - Adrian Vath, second - Jon Engle. Overall first - Wilson Thompson, second - Brandon Douglas, third - Rhys Vath.