Each Memorial Day Weekend,
the Annual "King of the Mountain" bike ride has been
held in Grouse Creek, Utah. The 13 mile ride starts at the top
of the mountain between Lynn and Grouse Creek and ends at the
Grouse Creek Supply.
There was a men’s, women's and youth (14 and under) competitive
division for the serious mountain biker and a recreational division
for the rest.. There is also a Heritage Challenge for the first
person who finishes who is a descendant of the original Grouse
Creek Settlers. For those who have small children who don't
want to ride the entire 13 miles, there will be a second starting
point at "Green Acres" (Richard Kimber's Place) This
will be a 3 mile ride but they won't start until the lead pack
of serious riders pass.
We
are currently looking for a Race Director. After 10 years, I
thought it would be best for someone else to take the reigns
and run the event. This has been a great event for families,
scouts or father and son's outings. There are plenty of roads
to explore following the race and public road maps are available.
Camping is available for those who want to stay overnight.
If
you are interested in running the event contact Alan Smith at
(801) 476-7056.
On
Saturday, May 26th the 10th Annual "King of the Mountain"
bike ride was held in Grouse Creek, Utah. Unlike previous rides,
this year's was held under near perfect conditions. The 56 participants
from Nevada, Idaho and Utah began the 13 mile ride from the
top of the mountain between Grouse Creek and Lynn. Elevation
at the starting line is 6900 feet and before the riders reach
the finish they have dropped 2300 feet in elevation. Speeds
during one section of the route reached almost 48 miles per
hour for those brave enough to keep their hands off of their
brakes. The leaders in the competitive division race side by
side on a two track gravel road to prevent running into each
others backs.
The
men's division was won by Brett Wehrli with a time of 34:33,
making this year's ride one of the fastest in the 10-year history
of the race. The top four riders were bunched together until
the final sprint where Brett prevailed. Brett is from South
Weber and is a previous winner. Matt Anderson from Brigham City
took second and was followed closely by Eric Dupuis who is from
Layton. Eric is also a previous winner and Matt has finished
in the top three in several of the previous years' rides.
Sandra
Burch, who is from Declo, Idaho won the women's division with
a time of 40:50. Sandra was cautious at the first but slowly
reeled in her competitors throughout the ride. She benefited
when race veteran Venessa Debroek encountered a flat tire and
was unable to continue leaving the race wide open to the newcomers.
Melissa Moss (who is from Layton) finished second in the ride
followed by Jessica Gibson (who is from Roy). It was the first
ride for all three women's division winners.
The
14 and under Youth Division was won by Alex Creer who is from
Tremonton with a time of 44:43. Alex has been participating
in the ride for several years and makes the annual trek each
year with his family. Second place was local resident and crowd
favorite, Parker Kimber and third place went to Tanner Howlett,
who resides in Paradise, Utah.
The
Heritage Division for the individual who finishes first and
is an ancestor of one of the founding families of Grouse Creek
went to Paul Tanner. Paul, who is from Bountiful, Utah, represented
the Tanner family and will have his name engraved on a plaque
displayed in the Grouse Creek store.
Winners
of the Men's and Women's Divisions received gift certificates
from long time sponsor Loveland Cycle in Brigham City. The top
riders also received long sleeved t-shirts from Shirt Mark-it
with King and Queen printed on their respective sleeves. Youth
division winners received trophies.
The
following participated in this year's ride: Brett Wehrli (South
Weber), Matt Anderson (Brigham City), Eric Dupuis (Layton),
Jared Groetz (Brigham City), Paul Tanner (Bountiful), Guy Martin
(S.Ogden), Ryan Creer (Tremonton), Jeremy Isbell (Murray), David
Gerstheimer (Ogden), Sandra Burch (Declo, ID), Robert Howlett
(Paradise), Jimmy Sealy (Winnemucca, NV), Justin Howlett (Paridise),
Melissa Moss (Layton), Jared Jones (Perry), David Laxman (Eagle
Mtn), Jessica Gibson (Roy), Bob Isbell (Layton), Blaine Napoli
(Farr West), Alex Creer (Tremonton), Neil Creer (Tremonton),
Bridger Kimber (Tremonton), Diane Tanner (Grouise Creek), Blair
Hellstrom (N. Ogden), Dallas Stone (Layton), Christine Wirick
(Roy), Bob Culver (Smithfield), Shawn Gibson (Roy), Alan Smith
(Washington Terrace), Parker Kimber (Grouse Creek), Tanner Howett
(Paridise), Lyndee Anderson (Brigham City), Jeremy Jones (Perry),
Becky Rasmussen (Washington Terrace), Abby Wehrli (S. Weber),
Heidi Davies (Salt Lake City), Tracy Boyd (Washington Terrace),
Jared Creer (Spanish Fork), Elise Tanner (Bountiful), Michael
Creer (Spanish Fork), Kiri Taylor (Ogden), Cierra Anderson (Brigham
City), Erin Wehrli (S. Weber), Ashley Tanner (S. Weber), Zack
Jones (Perry), Mason Lamb (Grouse Creek), Chase Graetz (Brigham
City), Heston Warr (Grouse Creek), Heather Warr (Grouse Creek),
RuthAnn Dennis (Clinton), Venessa DeBroeck (Layton), Leland
Howlett (Paridise), Andrew Tanner (S. Weber), Aaron Tanner (S.
Weber), Jaron Wirick (Ogden), Alan McIntire (Ogden), and Caitlin
Wirick (Roy)
Thanks
again for all of you that make this event special. Make plans
to participate next year.
Complete results from this year can be found at: Race
Results
