Racers battle rain and mud at Rainbow Ridge Challenge

Despite unseasonably cool weather, 58 bicyclists from Western Nevada and the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area braved the rain and muddy conditions to compete in Sunday's Jetway Chevrolet Rainbow Ridge Challenge 20 miles east of Fallon.

Found at the end of the rainbow challenge was prize money totaling $3,000. The money was divided to the top winners in six categories.

"This year was different, but it was fun racing in the mud," said Kyle Dixon, a Fallon physical therapist.

Dixon captured his third consecutive title in the Pro/Semi Division in 1 hour, 52.42 minutes.

During previous races, Dixon said the six-mile course that covers some of the steepest peaks in Churchill County has been conducive to mountain racing.

The course included one six-mile loop. The start and finish line began at an elevation of 4,150 feet. Between the third and fourth climbs, the trail rose to 4,750 feet before descending to the finish line.

Experienced racers like Dixon had to complete three laps, while the sportsman classes required two laps and the beginners rode one lap.

"The tacky clay that stuck to the bike and pedals made it less enjoyable," Dixon said. "A 22-pound racing bike quickly turns into a 35- to 40-pound bike."

Despite the adverse conditions, Dixon said the challenge is a fun race. He would like to see Mother Nature do her part, though.

"One of these years, we'll get lucky and have a 70-degree weather day," Dixon said. "A nice day for the turnout could be huge."

Dixon said he was pleased with his racing, even though the mud reduced his time almost 20 minutes from last year.

Kristy Bekiares, recreation supervisor for Churchill County Parks and Recreation, said everyone liked the course except for the rain.

"We had great weather up until five minutes after the race started, but then it rained on and off throughout the race," she said. "The weather added difficulty to travel."

Bekiares also said seven racers dropped out because of mechanical problems.

Zephanie Blasi, a member of the Kenda/X-Fusion/Titus racing team, won the women's division of Pro/Semi. The Sparks resident said the course was challenge, made even more so because of the mud and clay.

"The clay stuck to my bike and shoes," she said. "I couldn't click in to my gears, and that made it difficult for the climbs."

Blasi, who has raced in the challenge for four years, trains year-round except when she takes two weeks off to see family in Montana. This weekend Blasi will compete in a national race in Santa Barbara, Calif., and the following weekend at Fontana, Calif.

Last year's women's champion in Pro/Semi, Katerina Nash of Truckee, Calif., is in Europe competing in a world-class race.

Jack Taylor of Fernley competed in the Master class (40 years and older) of the Sport Division. The mud and rain didn't bother Taylor.

"It was great fun," said Taylor, the recipient of this year's Most Veteran Rider. "The race course was muddy everywhere, and there were puddles of water on top (of the ridges)."

Taylor was required to complete only two laps because of his experience in the division captured by Dave Alexander of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Alexander won the Beginner Division last year.

Alexander, a South Lake Tahoe Middle School teacher, said the first lap was brutal because of the rain.

"This was one of the most challenging race courses anyone rides under normal conditions," Alexander said. "You add weather, and it becomes a real challenge."

Alexander turned in a time for the two laps in 1:42.30, 27 seconds better than second-place racer Monte Miller of Reno.

Near the end of the race, Alexander said he had only three gears left, all granny gears.

Alexander also had chain problems that cost him some time during the first lap, but he was able to fix the situation.

Alexander's wife, Valerie Delaruso, finished first in the Master (30-39) division of Sport.

Bekiares said she admired the racers' fortitude and determination.

"As they rode, I admired the riders," she said. "I could see them drive to persevere and their love of the sport to get down and dirty and finish the race with the challenges they faced from the weather."