Greenley wins SISNA women's race

SANDPOINT — A record 148 cyclists participated in the 8th season of the SISNA Mountain Bike Ride Series, which ended last week.

Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Hayden, Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Spokane all were represented in this popular and fun individual time trial/mini fat tire festival held each Wednesday evening in July at farragut State Park.

With some riders looking to be the fastest, most just wanted to improve their biking ability, improve upon their established lap times or simply doing it for the sake of physical fitness. Slow or fast, it makes no difference to race organizer Ken Barrett, of All About Adventures, who just enjoys seeing  people riding their bikes with smiles on their faces and then chowing down at the $5 barbecue, which raised more than $600 for the Pend Oreille Pedals, a local Sandpoint bike club.

Sandpoint rider Erin Greenley, of Sports Plus, won the overall series title on the women's side. She just enjoyed being able to better her previous time in each of the four weeks, dropping more than one minute each time she rode the 13.5 mile course, which is mostly flat and requires some power pedaling.

"It's fun finding the people that race about your time and racing with them, trying to catch or stay ahead of them," she said of what she loves most about the series, even adding another term to the sports lexicon. "I was what we call a ‘carrot,' friends were trying to get me each time."

Doug Krumpleman, of Coeur d'Alene, led the men and 10 year-old Tyson Rieken made each night to rule the youngster's division.

Next year's event is already scheduled for Wednesday evenings in July of 2009 at Farragut State Park.

For complete race results, and more information, visit "www.asisna.com."