Boone-Roubaix charges off starting line
by Mark Mitchell
By Mark Mitchell
mmitchell@mountaintimes
Sunshine greeted the inaugural Boone-Roubaix bike race, which was held on Saturday, as did success on many fronts. Cyclists from 16 states, the District of Columbia, and Quebec, Canada made the journey to the High Country for the event, which began at River Girl Fishing Company in Todd.
The Boone-Roubaix was co-hosted by Pirate Race Productions and Appalachian State University, and featured four different courses for cyclists to maneuver through. Net proceeds from the event are benefiting Wine-to-Water's Haiti Emergency Fund.
"Thanks to all the people who supported the event, we raised $1,100 for the emergency fund," event organizer Andrew Stackhouse said. "I was truly shocked by the wonderful turnout we received. To have such a great turnout on Easter weekend is great.
"We are so thankful for all the volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty in making this event run so smoothly. River Girl Fishing Company did so much with the food among other things, as did Joshua Elliott, who is the president of the Appalachian State Wine-to-Water Campus Chapter. Joshua's staff was wonderful as well."
Competitors took part in five races during the day. The following is a listing of the top-three finishers in each category. In the Pro 123 race, Mark Hekman of Winston-Salem crossed the finish line in first place, followed by Pascal Bussieres of Quebec in second, and Spencer Gaddy in third.
In the day's second race, Brendon Dillow of Chainheart Cycling Studio took home first-place honors in the Cat 3/4 event. Travis Fender of Asheville claimed second place, while Michael Ventola crossed the line in third place.
In race three, Mary Magnani of Saxapahaw, NC took first place in the Pro 1/2/3/4 women's race. Magnani was followed by Sirena Lundsford of Winston-Salem, and Angela Krol of Mt. Gilead claimed third place.
Tim Cornett of Athens, GA captured first place in the Cat 4/5 race, which was the fourth race of the day. Baker Perry of Elk Park and the Boone Velo racing team crossed next in second place, while Peter McDougal from Lynchburg, VA finished in third place.
In the final race of the day, Marcia Price garnered first place in the Cat 4 women's race. Price was followed by Cooper Ambjorn of Covington, KY, who took home second place. Sarah Adamy of Sandhills Cycling claimed the third spot.
"We felt it was a great success, especially for a first-year event," Stackhouse said. "We learned some lessons that we will learn from in the future, but overall, everything went well, and a lot of people had a good time helping a great cause."
mmitchell@mountaintimes
Sunshine greeted the inaugural Boone-Roubaix bike race, which was held on Saturday, as did success on many fronts. Cyclists from 16 states, the District of Columbia, and Quebec, Canada made the journey to the High Country for the event, which began at River Girl Fishing Company in Todd.
The Boone-Roubaix was co-hosted by Pirate Race Productions and Appalachian State University, and featured four different courses for cyclists to maneuver through. Net proceeds from the event are benefiting Wine-to-Water's Haiti Emergency Fund.
"Thanks to all the people who supported the event, we raised $1,100 for the emergency fund," event organizer Andrew Stackhouse said. "I was truly shocked by the wonderful turnout we received. To have such a great turnout on Easter weekend is great.
"We are so thankful for all the volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty in making this event run so smoothly. River Girl Fishing Company did so much with the food among other things, as did Joshua Elliott, who is the president of the Appalachian State Wine-to-Water Campus Chapter. Joshua's staff was wonderful as well."
Competitors took part in five races during the day. The following is a listing of the top-three finishers in each category. In the Pro 123 race, Mark Hekman of Winston-Salem crossed the finish line in first place, followed by Pascal Bussieres of Quebec in second, and Spencer Gaddy in third.
In the day's second race, Brendon Dillow of Chainheart Cycling Studio took home first-place honors in the Cat 3/4 event. Travis Fender of Asheville claimed second place, while Michael Ventola crossed the line in third place.
In race three, Mary Magnani of Saxapahaw, NC took first place in the Pro 1/2/3/4 women's race. Magnani was followed by Sirena Lundsford of Winston-Salem, and Angela Krol of Mt. Gilead claimed third place.
Tim Cornett of Athens, GA captured first place in the Cat 4/5 race, which was the fourth race of the day. Baker Perry of Elk Park and the Boone Velo racing team crossed next in second place, while Peter McDougal from Lynchburg, VA finished in third place.
In the final race of the day, Marcia Price garnered first place in the Cat 4 women's race. Price was followed by Cooper Ambjorn of Covington, KY, who took home second place. Sarah Adamy of Sandhills Cycling claimed the third spot.
"We felt it was a great success, especially for a first-year event," Stackhouse said. "We learned some lessons that we will learn from in the future, but overall, everything went well, and a lot of people had a good time helping a great cause."