Flashback: Lary Longo in 1986 aboard his rigid RD Coyote. Today Larry
rides for Trek-VW and places in the semipro class as a 48-year-old.
Larry is also the lead National Mountain Bike Series announcer and a
Snow Summit ski instructor.
October 23, 1986--Big Bear Lake, California's The Grizzly News Headline:
Longo Third Of 187 In Fall Classic. Larry took first in his class and
was only three minutes behind John Tomac. Said race organizer Pat
Follett, "For Larry to do as well as he did really surprised a lot of
us." National Master's Champion Don Cousins took 9th overall in the open
division and other local finishers were Rook Oxandaboure, Pat Norwell,
Tom Rebber, Greg Ralph, and Gary Trippear.
It was 21 years ago when Team Big Bear held the first Fat Tire Fall
Classic. One hundred and eighty-seven riders lined up on Summit Blvd.
The morning was crisp and perfect for the 18 mile race up Skyline Drive
and back. At the end of the mass start event John Tomac had the fastest
time of 1:21:47 and Larry Longo surprised everyone.
The Fat Tire Fall Classic was the brainchild of expert mountain bikers
Don Cousins and Pat Follett. It was put on by mountain bikers to be the
ultimate event for mountain bikers. Since the very first edition racers
have always been treated to free chili and beer afterwards.
In 1986 not even Tom and Pat had any idea how well this cross-country
bicycle race would stand the test of time. The only change is that the
name has been shortened to "Fall Classic". For 21 consecutive years it
has endured fires, earthquakes, droughts, thunder storms, showers,
blizzards, and gun-slinging Sierra Clubbers.
CALLING ALL LEGENDS
OCTOBER 4, 2006: Wednesday 5 p.m.--Legends mountain bike ride! Meet at
La Montana's, Big Bear Lake, CA. Bring old pictures or anything that you
would like to share from that era.
OCTOBER 8, 2006: Team Big Bear presents the Fall Classic 20 Year
Anniversary Race. To celebrate Team Big Bear has added a special Legends
Race. If you raced in Big Bear in the 80's then you qualify for the
honorary event. Use 1980's attire if you can. The Legends Race is
included in the regular program, so mountain bikers from all eras are
still invited to participate in this historic event. Registration is
Saturday October 7 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Sunday, at La Montana's Restaurant. The Race starts at 11 a.m. For more
information hit up www.teambigbear.com; (909) 866-4565.
NEWS FLASH!
Tom Spiegel is going to race! Maybe even Pat Follett too. Lets see who
else we can drag out of the woodwork.
TEAM BIG BEAR's LEGEND LIST
So far this is the working list of Big Bear legends. Team Big Bear has
already contacted many of the names. If you read your name here, or if
you know the whereabouts of some of them, find out if they have been
contacted. If they haven't, tell them to give Team Big Bear a call.
Don't be the one who is missing in action. You don't even have to ride;
just show up!
BIG BEAR LEGEND WALL OF FAME
Eric Airhart. Danny Ant. Craig Anties. Eddie Arnet. Stewart Bridges.
Kerry Brown. Rob Carpenter. Mike Carroll. Don Cousins. Aaron Cox.
Christine Culver. Richard Cunningham. Penny Davidson. Steve Dexter.
Steve Driscoll. Zapata Espinoza. Jeff Fedderson. Pat Follett. Matt
Fonda. Mike Fonda. Byron Friday. David Fuller. Mark Fulton. Susan
Gieriaznaki. Kathie Goethas. Dan Hanebrink. Jim Harlow. Jamie Harwood.
Chris Herting. Chuck Hoeffer. Mike Jennings. Tinker Juarez. Dick and
Jennifer Kunn. Larry Longo. Steve Longo. Diris Matyasovich. Jim
McIlvain. Alen Merrigan. Don Mills. Earnie Muller. Janet Nichel. Pat
Norwell. Shinpei Okajima. Blake Ordway. Tracy Oswell. Rook Oxanadaboure.
John Parker. Al Piemme. Gary Printice. Greg Ralph. Tom Rebber. Karen
Ralil. Tom Spiegel and Team Big Bear's Heiko and Pattie; Paul and Sandy.
Brian Skinner. Joe Sloop. Randy Spitz. Mary Stanford. Wayne Stetina.
George Stevens. Don Stratenger. Linda and Lorde Taber. John Tomac. Brent
Tragaskess. Gary Trippe
ar. Ken Turney. Rubin Vasques. Bob Walker. Joey Web. Jody Weisel. Russel
Worley. Robert Zinkow.
1986 FAT TIRE FALL CLASSIC RESULTS
PRO/AM
1. John Tomac...Mongoose
2. Aaron Cox...Yeti
3. Larry Longo...RD-Snow Summit
4. Russel Worley...Yeti
5. Jeff Fedderson
WOMEN
1. Christine Culver...Mantis
2. Janet Nichel
3. Susan Gieriaznaki
4. Kathie Goethas
5. Karen Ralil
MASTER
1. Jim Harlow
2. Shinpei Okajima..
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