The Rails to Resort Hill Climb draws 39 cyclists

Cyclist Spencer Neitmann defended his title with a 36:07 finish, and other 38 men and women raced this year’s Resort to Rails Hill Climb, held on the morning of Sept. 7.

Saturday morning. The course began at the railroad tracks at the base of Schweitzer Mountain Road and climbed steadily to the entrance of the resort parking lot. The entire course was resurfaced this summer so the riders were treated to 8.5 miles on a smoother course than usual.

“These are amazing athletes, ” Judy Baird, Vice President Branch Manager at Mountain West Bank, which sponsored the event, said. “To think someone makes the climb on a bicycle from the railroad tracks at the base of Schweitzer to the top in 36 minutes is astonishing. And to watch someone who is 73-years-old come flying through the finishing gate is so inspiring.”

Joshua Bell and Clint Hastings finished in second and third place with times of 36:28 and 36:29 respectively.

Bill McPherson, 73, was the oldest cyclist in the field. He finished in 46:06 seconds en route to an eighth-place finish.

Katherine Creswell led the field of seven female riders for the second year in a row finishing in sixth place overall, with a time of 45:08, which bested her last year’s finish by over a minute.

Beth Stoner was the second female to finish in 51:07, then Linda Michalson took third place with a time of 54:35 seconds. Jeannie Higgs, Lisa Barth, Suzanne Gallus, Ali Pierce, and Marcela Diamond followed in order.

Jason Wiley, of Sandpoint’s Parks and Recreation department, organized the event which was sponsored by Sandpoint Sports, Syringa Cyclery, and Mountain West Bank. Alec Thaete and his daughter Jetta helped with course marshaling.

The organizers would like to thank the City of Sandpoint, Sandpoint Syringa Cyclery for help and support necessary to put on the event for another year.