One hundred and fifteen riders from around B.C. answered the (cow) bell on Saturday for the running of the 2016 Cow Trail Classic mountain bike races, organized by the Merritt Mountain Biking Association (MMBA).
The extremely popular Cow Trail event was last held in 2010. It was subsequently cancelled for several seasons because of the damage to the Coutlee Plateau riding trails caused by the pine beetle infestation that ravaged the forests of our province.
Thanks to the efforts of the MMBA and various provincial ministries, the Coutlee trails are once again safe and open to riders.
This year’s Cow Trail Classic featured 16 and 32-kilometre races for older, experienced riders, and a four-kilometre loop for youngsters.
The 32-kilometre men’s and women’s titles went to 40-year-old Ryan Pannell and Jean Ann Berkenpas, 29, respectively.
Kelowna’s Ryan Pannell, 40, was the winner of the men’s 32-kilometre event. He is shown negotiating a section of the course known as JP Cool. (Ian Webster/Herald).
A veteran rider from Kelowna, Pannell moved up from fifth place on the opening lap to win by a 58-second margin over second-place Ryan Oliver of Sorrento.
“I was pretty lucky today,” said Pannell. “A couple of guys who are definitely faster than me got flats out on the course which alllowed me to pass them.”
Pannell, who last rode in a Cow Trail Classic 10-plus years ago, enjoyed this year’s event.
“It was great. Lots of single-track riding. It reminds me a lot of the trails back home.”
Pannell said the strong winds and cool temperatures didn’t bother him.
“Once you got racing, it was plenty warm.”
Berkenpas, from Valemount, also liked the course and the riding conditions.
“It was a lot of fun. I was very happy with my ride. We had a tail wind for the uphill climbs which was nice.”
Berkenpas started her mountain biking career in high school in Valemount.
“We had a school team back then. Now I’m coaching it,” she said with a laugh.
No doubt Berkenpas would love to have young Hamish Graham, a student at KLO Middle School in Kelowna, on her own school team.
Fourteen-year-old Hamish Graham from Kelowna took the men’s 16-kilometre title. (Ian Webster/Herald).
The 14-year-old Graham, from Kelowna, raised a few eyebrows in winning the men’s 16-kilometre race over a field of 19 much-more-experienced riders.
“It was a lot like riding at home,” Graham said, echoing Pannell’s sentiments. Ironically, Graham and Pannell car-pooled over together for the races.
“I’ve been racing since I was 11 and in Grade 6,” said Graham. “I got interested because of my parents, and a couple of kids around town that I wanted to try and beat.”
Graham is hoping to compete on the B.C. Cup circuit this spring and summer, with an eye to making some provincial teams.
“I’d like to go out east for some Canada Cup races,” he said.
Principal Cow Trail organizer Ben Currie was delighted with how things turned out on Saturday.
“Our reestablishment of the Cow Trail Classic race went exceptionally well,” Currie said. “I think we can officially say we put Merritt back on the map in terms of the mountain biking scene here in B.C.!
“It’s really exciting to connect Merritt with the mountain biking community again and revive the race that was so popular back in the old days.
“The MMBA owes a big thank you to all the community support received through passionate volunteers and partnerships with local businesses.
“Thank you to the team of race directors who dedicated much of their personal time the last few months to take care of every little detail to make this race happen: Erika Doyon, Rob MacLaren, Heather Pratt-Johnson and Sean O’Flaherty. With this team’s efforts the race went off without a hitch.”
The start of the kids’ four-kilometre mountain bike race. (Ian Webster/Herald).
Currie said the feedback following the race has been all positive.
“We’ve received an overwhelming number of compliments on the condition of the trail and the return of the race. The mountain biking community is happy to see the Coutlee trail system back on the map and in better shape than ever.
“We’re feeling really good about the direction of the club right now and we have some excitement and momentum gained from the race.
“We’re going to keep that excitement going, and help build up the mountain biking scene here in Merritt. It’s great for tourism, it keeps the youth out of trouble, and keeps moms and dads off the couch. It’s healthy activity that can be accessible for everyone; you’re only one bike ride away from a good mood.”
The next event on the Merritt Mountain Biking Association’s busy calendar is their annual Summer Solstice ride, slated for this Monday, June 20.
“It’s open to everyone,” said MMBA spokesperson Travis Fehr. “All ages are welcome to attend. We’ll meet at the Tourist Information Centre at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and ride the trails around the centre. There’ll be lots of options for riders of different ages and abilities. A social will follow at the picnic table!”
Nine-year-old Wyatt Nicholls, the winner of the MMBA’s bike contest. Nicholls learned to ride a bike just six weeks ago. He finished the four-kilometre race. (Ian Webster/Herald).
2016 COW TRAIL CLASSIC
TOP FINISHERS
32 KM RACE (51 riders)
MALE
1. Ryan Pannell, Kelowna 1:49.13
2. Ryan Oliver, Sorrento 1:50.11
3. Carsten Ivany, Abbotsford 1:51.55
FEMALE
1. Jean Ann Berkenpas, Valemount 2:04.27
2. Jayne Rossworn, Kamloops 2:09.20
3. Emanuela Bandol, W. Kelowna 2:27.48
16 KM RACE (30 riders)
MALE
1. Hamish Graham, Kelowna 0:58.56
2. Loic Letailleur, Kelowna 1:06.57
3. Ryan Yastremsky, Merritt 1:07.05
FEMALE
1. Tess Letailleur, Kelowna 1:18.30
2. Leigh Sindlinger, Vernon 1:25.09
3. Marnie Walter, Kelowna 1:30.41
4 KM KIDS’ RACE (34 riders)
MALE
1. Rhett Bates, W. Kelowna 0:17.19
2. Olin Coates, Clearwater 0:18.11
3. Anthony Motion, Abbotsford 0:18.36
FEMALE
1. Hayley Dibski, Chilliwack 0:26.14
2. Trinity Hall, Aldergrove 0:27.31
3. Ella McKeown, Merritt 0:30.36
