Scenic Massanutten Resort (Photo by: ITMexposures.com)
Written by: Shannon Boffeli
Before there was front-suspension, clipless pedals, and 9-speed rear cassettes there was the Massanutten Hoo-Ha. An East coast tradition since 1989, the Hoo-Ha has been a showcase event for riders up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Majestic Massanutten Resort is a 6,000 plus acre get-away located in beautiful northern Virginia on the edge of George Washington National Forest. Massanutten Resort offers 25 miles of pristine singletrack mountain bike trails.
Massanutten has scenery to spare (Photo by: ITMexposures.com)
George Willetts has been involved with the Hoo-Ha since it’s inception, first as a racer and now as one of the event’s promoters. Willets can’t say enough about the uniqueness of the Hoo-Ha and the local cycling culture. “Harrisonburg and the local area is really the hub of East Coast cycling. We have an outstanding trail system, which just keeps getting better. The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) builds all our local trails with the help and input of phenomenal riders like Jeremiah Bishop and the outstanding Sue Haywood.”
After 21 years of racing the Hoo-Ha has now joined the elite ranks of the national series. In 2009, Massanutten joined forces with the Kenda Cup East as well as the GT Golden Bike series and the IMBA Team Challenge. Ken Hess and the promoters of the event hope to use the success of their race to aid in the resurgence of American mountain bike racing. If Scott Tedro and the Sho-Air crew continue to hunt out extraordinary events like the Massanutten Hoo-Ha the success of mountain biking in the U.S. is assured.
Men's podium (Photo by: Steven Hoover)
Sunday’s cross country main event was a continuation of last weekend’s Mohican 100. With Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com), Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op), and Harlan Price (IF) all toeing the start line. Despite the course being about 75 miles shorter, the results were virtually the same with Jeremiah Bishop crossing the line first, Schalk coming in third and Harlan Price getting lost. This time Kenda Cup East series leader Sam Koerber crossed the line in second. Travis Livermon took fourth place with Price recovered to take the final podium spot.
Women's podium (photo by: Steven Hoover)
In the women’s race youngster Jamie Dinkins proved strongest taking the win followed by Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes), Jane Pearsons, Jenny Smith, and Kylie Krauss in fifth.
Pro Men
1, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
2, Sam Koerber ( Gary Fisher 29er Crew)
3, Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op)
4, Travis Livermon
5, Harlan Price (Independent Fabrications)
6, Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
7, David Walker
8, Nathaneal Wyatt
9, Martin Kell
10, Alex Ryan
11, Rickey Visinski
12, Justin Raynes
13, Christopher Michaels
14, Dave Weaver
15, Timothy Carson
16, Brad Wilhelm
17, Jed Prentice
18, Paul Kolb
19, Thomas Turner
DNF Jordan Kahlenberg
DNF Matt Rotroff
DNF Daniel Corum
DNF Patric Wallace
Pro Women
1, Jamie Dinkins
2, Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
3, Jane Pearsons
4, Jenny Smith
5, Kylie Krauss
6, Philicia Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
DNF Johanna Draus
