Camp Hilbert 1 Continues The 2010 Season Of The Virginia Off Road Series

Sunday April 11th, under perfect race weather, Camp Hilbert 1 was held in Maidens, VA as the 2nd race in the Virginia Off Road Series. A strong turnout of 179 riders turned out to ride between one and ten laps of the six mile course of twisty, rooty singletrack with plenty of whoops and hills.

A VORS rider charges through the singletrack

Expert Vet was the closest and most exciting category of the day. Michael Hosang of TriPower and Brent Williamson of Rostello presented by Fiorucci/Cycor were neck and neck for the entire 24 mile race, trading places for the lead with lap times always within 3 seconds of each other. With Hosang and Williamson passing near the finish line with a quarter mile left, Jared Stangl was heard saying "There's going to be a fight!" to Woody Elliott, both Virginia Off Road Series directors. In an uphill sprint finish, Hosang edged Williamson out by a single second and finished in 1:51:14.

Warm weather brought out large groups for Camp Hilbert

In Expert Men, Michael Runnals won by almost three minutes after producing the fastest lap of the day on lap 2. Sheila Scott of Bike Factory Racing/Trek won the Women's Expert category in the three lap event. In Single Speed, the 22 year old Gordan Wadsworth with Gary Fisher 29er/Trek Co-op clocked faster than sport class laps for the win, while Anne Green was the fastest Single Speed Woman.

In Sport Men's Classes, Jay Catlett of Bike Factory Racing/Trek, Todd Green of Design Physics/Rowlett's, and Mark Lewis took their age groups, while Sport Women was won by Jennifer Whedbee. Beginner Men Classes was won by Robert Unberhandt and Michael Spinos, while Kate Fisher won Beginner Women.

Some of the deep woods singletrack on hand at Camp Hilbert

The Virginia Off Road Series introduced an enduro-style category into the season called X-Cat. Charles Clarkson was the only Enduro to complete ten laps under 5 hours to win the Enduro Men category with 36 racers and Denelle Grant of Gary Fisher 29er/Trek Co-op won Enduro Women with eight laps.

Full Results, Photos, VORS Standings - click on standings

Ride the Ridge launches 2010 Virginia Off Road Series

The 2010 Virginia Off Road Series kicked off with Ride the Ridge hosted by the Blue Ridge School. Over 100 athletes were on the start line for this events largest showing in its 4 year history. Virginia experienced a long and hard winter that had everyone eager to test their skills. The day before and during the event the drizzle, overcast and damp weather would add another element to challenge them.

The Virginia Off Road season kicked off with a little mud and a lot of challenging singletrack

From the starting siren, the masses charged for the chute. The spectators would hang in suspense for about 53 minutes until Nick Waite would charge to complete the fastest lap of the race with Chris Michaels not to far off Nick's wheel. As other athletes filed out of the mucky wilderness, you could see they were fighting more than each other. The climbs are notorious for challenging the best of them. Along with the other scary features in the woods, athletes faces showed Ride the Ridge is no walk in the park.

Waite would eventually take the win with Denelle Grant (Gary Fisher 29er Crew) winning the elite women's race.

Most Categories had their work cut out for them. To some, this race was an event to get a jump on the competition and others were finding where their training lies. Regardless, the folks at the Blue Ridge School put on a great event! Points for all Categories and Teams have been posted on the Virginia Off Road Series website!

Racers wait to take the start beneath the mist-covered Virginia hills

Ride the Ridge was a great sendoff for the 2010 Virginia Off Road Series. With a record attendance, this means the World Bicycle Relief will receive a larger than usual check from the Blue Ridge School. All proceeds went to this great charity. The Virginia Off Road Series is proud to have great races like Ride the Ridge to help contribute to these great charities and to challenge athletes across the state.

Next up Camp Hilbert! All the Categories of the Virginia Off Road Series will be in the ring for points!!!

The leafless trees are a sure sign that spring has not yet sprung but it's never too early for some quality mountain bike racing

This time of year the creek crossings are not only wet, they are very cold

The Virginia Off Road Series vs. Mother Nature/Training Tips From Racing Superstar Sue Haywood

Last week, The Virginia Off Road Series race at Camp Hilbert, March 7th, was postponed due to the rough winter Virginia has experienced. After much thought, the decision was based on the current trail conditions at the venue and to give athletes adequate notice. The new date for Camp Hilbert will be April 11, 2010. All registrations will be moved to the new date.



The Virginia Off Road Series will kick off on March 28 at the Blue Ridge School’s ‘Ride the Ridge’. This event is known for its challenging ascents/descents. Ride the Ridge is more than a tough race. It’s also for a great cause. All proceeds from Ride the Ridge go to benefit the World Bicycle Relief. So get ready to race, the startline is getting closer all the time!

Don’t let Mother Nature believe she won this one. VORS doesn’t give up easily. We have recently announced the VORS PayDirt Program. PayDirt gives competitors the ability to earn VORS points while working on our trails around the state. Trail Advocacy groups around the state are encouraged to contact us with their projects. This weekend, CAMBC (Charlottesville) will be offering two days of trailwork projects around the Charlottesville area. Stop by the Virginia Off Road Series website for all the details on the PayDirt Program. So Mother Nature thinks she got us. She’s wrong. Mother Nature has created more ways for VORS athletes to score points!

One last incredible announcement: Sue Haywood ‘Year of the Tigress’!


One of the all-time best female mountain bikers (seen here on the top of the '09 Shenandoah 100 podium) has written a column for the Virginia Off Road Series. Haywood's column gives female athletes insight for better training and motivation. Her new column was just released today. Her words will put a little more motivation into all our pedal strokes! Click Here to read Sue Haywood's "Year of the Tigress" column.

Woody Elliott
Director
-The Virginia Off Road Series-