By Eddie Arnet
Ever since 1986 this race has had special meaning to me. Back at the very first one I can distinctly remember LABORING up the mountain in a VW diesel mini truck with Motocross Action Editor Jody Weisel. (Proving that new, old and in-between, the trip up has never been kind to Volkswagen.) We were on our way to the first annual Big Bear Fall Classic. It would be my fourth race on a bicycle. So I knew exactly what I was in for. . .
Right. The last thing I would have ever expected was the mass start on Summit Blvd, racing behind the condos down Towne Trail, onto the rolling--well, mostly climbing--forest service road and then dropping down the most incredible experience ever: Pine Knot. It was like a dream: incredible, technical, wooded singletrack filled with moist dirt and abundant traction. I couldn't believe how awesome it was.
For me that experience was and will forever be Big Bear.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Even after 18 years Big Bear still gives that "yeah, I'm in mountain bike heaven" feeling. The traditional Fall Classic course is as cool as ever. After the race Team Big Bear still gives a courtesy meal. This year it was spaghetti, garlic bread, cookies and draft beer.
This year's classic was the final race of the California State Championship Series. An eight mile mini loop was added to the traditional 18 mile course. While pros and experts raced a total of 26 miles, the sports and beginners raced just the 18 mile loop and the juniors only the eight mile circuit. Also new this year was that we didn't start on Summit Blvd. While there's nothing wrong with the regular start at the bottom of the slopes, it will never top starting up the middle of the main road. Pro and expert downhill riders used the Summit Trail while the sports and beginners tackled Westridge.
Below is MBA's Top Ten List of the fastest riders on each of the courses. Page down to the list of each of the California State XC, DH and Super D Champions of 2003. Congratulations to all!
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 26-MILE XC RIDERS
1. Niel Shirley...Pro...Trek-VW...1:56:01.75
2. Scott Wingo...Pro...2:02:38.21
3. Amon Pease...Pro...Trek-VW...2:05:30.89
4. Leonardo Sandoval...Semi-Pro...Helens...2:07:13.63
5. Juniper Filanc-Bowen...Back Alley Bikes...2:07:54.10
6. Peter Andersen...Semi-Pro...Capital Coating...2:08:43.22
7. Sean Donovan...Semi-Pro...2:09:02.09
8. Jeff Schalk...Semi-Pro...2:10:01.75
9. Eric Wicker...Semi-Pro...Specialized...2:11:05.16
10. Michael Hansen...Semi-Pro...Trek-VW...2:11:32.07
Fastest Exp 30-34: John Cline...Ape Racing...2:12:13.72
Fastest Exp 25-29: Chris Burnham...Joselyns...2:12:14.83
Fastest Jr X: Trevor Downing...Bear Valley Bikes...2:15:27.56
Fastest Exp 35-39: Dwayne Halterman...Mammoth Sports...2:15:52.75
Fastest Exp 40-44: John Hill...Mission Hills Cyclery...2:16:01.88
Fastest Exp 45-49: Gary Stravala...P.D. Distributing...2:27:36.99
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 26-MILE XC WOMEN
1. Heidi Faller...Pro...Titus...2:36:17.74
2. Amy Bowen...Exp 30-39...Spat Dog...2:39:31.63
3. Ruby Evans...Exp 30-39...Helens...2:41:16.67
4. Cheryl Roth...Exp 40-49...Helens...2:44:43.73
5. Ruth Clemence...Exp 40-49...NSB...2:44:50.29
6. Wendy Gabriel...Exp 30-39...Ironclad...2:54:17.97
7. Deyanira Guerrero...Exp 19-29...SD Bikes...3:05:54.56
8. Lisa Jennings...Exp 40-49...Team 101...3:10:35.60
9. Mary Stanford...Exp 30-39...Big Bear Bikes...3:20:31.12
10. Rachel Throop...Jr X...Ritchey-NOVA...3:25:47.43
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 18-MILE XC RIDERS
1. David Calta...Spt 35-39...Amgen-Abic...1:31:29.85
2. Edward Dinger...Spt 35-39...1:31:57.45
3. Luke Kinney...Jr 15...Specialized...1:32:23.55
4. Bob Rich...Spt 35-39...Azonic...1:33:17.46
5. Miguel Garcia...Jr 16...Velo City...1:34:24.15
6. Mike Tettleton...Jr 17-18...1:34:28.16
7. Lyle Warner...Spt 19-24...1:34:39.47
8. Todd Kutcher...Spt 40-44...1:34:40.43
9. Devin McGhie...Spt 19-24...1:34:48.31
10. Chris Barton...Jr 15...Bicycles O...1:34:50.87
Fastest Clyd: Mike Holt...Cane Creek...1:35:05.49
Fastest Spt 30-34: Jason Perkins...1:35:08.97
Fastest Spr Spt 19-24: Brian Zimmerman...Cal Poly Wheelman...1:35:38.66
Fastest Spt 25-29: Travis Tubbs...Evil-Tubbs...1:35:58.24
Fastest Spr Spt 40-44: Jeff Volpe...Velosport...1:36:45.59
Fastest Exp 50-54: Steve Lyttle...Back Alley Bikes...1:37:33.22
Fastest Sng Spd: Nick Finch...Gypsy...1:37:37.68
Fastest Beg 35-39: Robert Davis...1:39:06.53
Fastest Spt 45-49: Steve Colford...Simple Green...1:40:07.42
Fastest Spt 50-54: Paul Zarubin...1:41:12.30
Fastest Beg 40-44: Bill Lascurain...1:44:27.19
Fastest Exp 55+: Stan Ford...Back Alley Bikes...1:45:15.05
Fastest Beg 45-49: John Bliss...McGhies...1:46:28.64
Fastest Clyd 35+: Rick Hathaway...1:47:07.14
Fastest Beg 30-34: Kelly Myers...1:47:16.54
Fastest Beg 50-54: Rick Curtis...1:49:20.65
Fastest Spt 60+: Cal Burgart...1:50:40.95
Fastest Beg 25-29: Moises Flores...Amadres...1:54:04.06
Fastest Beg 19-24: Nathan Blanchard...Over the Bars...1:54:15.82
Fastest Beg Clyd: Luke Weerkhoven...Bicycle Ob...2:00:00.72
Fastest Beg 55+: Bob Endicott...2:03:04.13
Fastest Beg Clyd 35+: David Long...2:09:21.10
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 18-MILE XC WOMEN
1. Shelli Dall...Spt 30-39...Back Alley Bikes...1:55:04.46
2. Leslie Williams...Spt 19-29...1:56:07.87
3. Dawn Lyons...Spt 19-29...PMBC...1:58:38.49
4. Simone harvey...Spt 19-29...2:03:44.65
5. Suzanne Davis...Spt 40-49...The Outside...2:03:46.94
6. Carol Ruckle...Exp 50+...Jelly Belly...2:05:08.35
7. Essence Barton...Spt 19-29...Gian-Dirt Girl...2:06:37.16
8. Molly Schmelzle...Beg 19-29...2:06:51.78
9. Cynthia Taff...Spt 40-49...Back Alley Bikes...2:08:04.30
10. Dena Feingold...Beg 30-39...2:09:07.77
Fastest Spt 50+: Doris Matyasovich...Team Oxygen...2:19:58.92
Fastest Beg 40-49: Kelly Stenglein...2:22:08.28
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 8-MILE XC RIDERS
1. Colby Elliot...Jr 14...Diamond Back...0:55:31.28
2. Brandon Lee...Jr 13...Trek-VW...0:55:35.55
3. Denver Spears...Jr 13...Marzocchi...1:00:17.43
4. Pedro Bonilla...Jr 14...Dinyari In...1:00:46.87
5. Kevin Anderson...Jr 13...1:02:42.70
6. Kody Adams...Jr 12...Downhill X...1:03:32.73
7. Tyler Carr...Jr 13...Back Alley Bikes...1:05:20.18
8. Bret McGaughin-Stron...Jr 13...1:06:22.90
9. Billy Foster...Jr 14...1:16:16.16
10. Nicholas Beechan...Jr 12...1:17:00.41
FASTEST FALL CLASSIC 8-MILE XC WOMEN
1. Sonja Rindermann...Jr 15-18...1:32:38.41
2. Michelle Annereau...Jr 15-18...1:35:46.81
3. Ashley McGuire...Jr 14-Under...Dirty Girl...1:41:56.97
FASTEST 2-LAP SHORT COURSE JUNIOR 11-12 RIDERS
1. Alvaro Perez...Hollywood Fitness...0:08:00.90
2. Ryan Vigil...0:08:26.56
3. Seth Vanderlinden...I.E. Bikes...0:08:36.65
FASTEST 1-LAP SHORT COURSE RIDERS
1. David Ramirez...10-Under...Hollywood Fitness...0:03:35.30
2. Kobi McGuire...10-Under....0:04:35.02
3. Peyton Long...10-Under...0:04:50.85
4. Wyatt Myers...10-Under...0:04:54.84
5. Lauren Arasim...Jr Wmn 14-Under...I.E. Bikes...0:05:14.65
6. Peyton Vanderlinden...10-Under...I.E. Bikes...0:05:48.31
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC SUMMIT TRAIL DH RIDERS
1. Cody Warren...Semi-Pro...Haro-Lee Dungarees...07:15.98 combined time
2. Daniel Umland...Pro...ODI-Southridge...07:17.11
3. Ian Odom...Semi-Pro...Atom Lab-TB...07:26.84
4. Julius Syvanen...Jr X...Beyond Bike...07:29.41
5. Garrick Anderson...Jr X...123bikes...07:31.01
6. Tracy Oswell...Spr Mst 35+...Azonic-Foes...07:37.71
7. Deke Williams...Semi-Pro...Willman Co...07:45.00
8. Terry Maddox...Exp 35-39...Chumba-Romic...07:45.27
9. Kenny Gioeli...Exp 30-34...Ellsworth...07:46.67
10. Aaron Potter...Exp 30-34...Azonic-Ken...07:46.94
Fastest Exp 25-29: Josh Cooper...08:13.78
Fastest Exp 40-44: Jim Ghahremani...ODI-Southridge...08:16.40
Fastest Exp 19-24: Matt Condrashoff...Planet X...08:17.09
Fastest Exp 50-54: Steve Bird...I. Martin Imports...08:48.57
Fastest Exp 45-49: Gary Dewesse...No Brakes...09:14.50
FASTEST FALL CLASSIC SUMMIT TRAIL DH WOMEN
1. Chelsea Redwood...Exp 30-39...No Brakes...09:24.65 combined time
2. Susanne Liljeroos...Exp 30-39...Azonic...09:37.25
3. Kristin Powers...Pro...No Brakes...09:57.94
4. Kote Driscoll...Exp 19-29...10:08.33
5. Erin Gerke...Exp 19-29...Head First...10:26.80
6. Colleen Baker...Exp 30-39...Intense-Fun Pig...10:43.66
7. Rileigh Aller...Jr X...No Brakes...11:04.03
8. Jenny Cornelison...Jr X...Karpiel-Fox...11:06.41
9. Carmen Bastek...Exp 40-49...Titus...12:10.62
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC WESTRIDGE DH RIDERS
1. JD Swanguen...Jr 14...Spy-College...10:10.41 combined time
2. Tad Lent...Spr Spt 35-39...TNT...10:27.48
3. Scott McCloskey...Spt 30-34...So Cal 6-Pack...10:27.70
4. Mike Openshaw...Spt 25-29...EVS...10:29.12
5. Shawn Duex...Spt 30-34...10:29.78
6. Cody Smith...Jr 17-18...Bike Shop LV...10:33.48
7. Vincent Catalano...Spt 19-24...Hanebrink...10:34.03
8. Darren Cox...Spt 30-34...10:35.06
9. Guy Comer...Spt 30-34...Meco-Ritchey...10:35.50
10. Troy Wilson...Spt 19-24...10:35.52
Fastest Jr 16: Brian Hair...10:40.09
Fastest Spr Spt 30-34: Wesley Rourke...10:41.40
Fastest Spt 35-39: Thomas Secor...TNT...10:44.64
Fastest Beg 30-34: Rick Nunez...Beyond Bike...10:46.92
Fastest Beg 19-24: Travis Eve...10:52.26
Fastest Spt 40-44: Sergio Velazquez...SGF...10:55.36
Fastest Jr 13: Michael Schlereth...Phantom Bikes...11:01.44
Fastest Beg 25-29: T. Asprey...11:01.44
Fastest Beg 35-39: Craig Bonner...Subiotic...11:03.22
Fastest Spr Spt 45-49: Bryan Justice...Atomic Bike...11:08.63
Fastest Clyd: Rick Hathaway...11:08.74
Fastest Spr Spt 19-24: Brian Enriquez...Incycle...11:12.19
Fastest Beg 40-44: Bryan Butler...Smith Sport...11:22.08
Fastest Jr 11: Matt Swanguen...Spy-College...11:25.14
Fastest Jr 15: Anthony Armer...11:26.82
Fastest Spr Spt 25-29: Gabe Proctor...11:27.17
Fastest Spt 45-49: Brad Hair...12:00.27
Fastest Beg Clyd: Jullien Thomas...12:01.14
Fastest Beg Clyd 35+: Michael Schuck...Fun Pig...12:12.63
Fastest Retro: Gary Griffith...Comp Edge...12:29.20
Fastest Spt 50-54: Eric Nohr...Sherpa Racing...12:40.31
Fastest Spt 55-59: David Bitney...13:04.14
Fastest Jr 12: Kody Adams...Downhill X...13:16.96
Fastest Beg 45-49: Christophe Holmes...13:27.49
Fastest Beg 50-54: Don Johnson...Miami Vice...14:00.89
Fastest Wheel Chair: Gerard Moreno...Holiday Inn...20:40.67
FASTEST FALL CLASSIC WESTRIDGE DH WOMEN
1. Lisa Lake...Spt 30-39...Adventure...12:46.76 combined time
2. Essence Barton...Beg 19-29...Giant-Dirt Girl...13:48.22
3. Stephanie Atkins...Beg 19-29...14:17.66
4. Maya Hatch...Beg 19-29...14:26.43
5. Debi Nicholls...Spt 40-49...Velosport...14:31.59
6. Dawn Breda...Beg 30-39...Fun Pig...16:26.16
7. Carolyn McCune...Beg 30-39...Fun Pig...17:40.51
8. Keri Heuberger...Beg 19-29...Back Alley Bikes...18:58.52
TEN FASTEST FALL CLASSIC SUPER D RIDERS
1. Darren Cox...19-34...13:10.4
2. Rick Hathaway...35-44...14:26.5
3. Philip Strong...45+...14:26.6
4. Steve Smith...35-44...14:32.0
5. Alexander Duncan...18-Under...Basso...14:38.8
6. Daniel Nidzieko...18-Under...123bikes...14:56.0
7. Thomas Jefferson...35-44...White House...14:57.9
8. Barry Williams...19-34...Nemesis-Brady Bunch...15:00.4
9. Dustin Stern-Garcia...18-Under...15:50.0
10. Jim Clements...35-44...Velosport...15:51.4
CALIFORNIA STATE XC CHAMPIONS
Pro: Neil Shirley...Trek-VW
Semi-Pro: Tom Olson...Soulcraft
Pro Wmn: Heidi Faller...Titus
Jr X: Perry Paolini...Balance Bar
Exp 19-24: Juniper Filanc-Bowen...Back Alley Bikes
Exp 25-29: Jeff Schalk
Exp 30-34: Jon Tanklage...Kareen
Exp 35-39: Brad Stephenson...Velosport
Exp 40-44: Todd Stephenson...Velosport
Exp 45-49: Scott McPherson...Trek-VW-Jax
Exp 50-54: Jon Miller...Amgen
Exp 55+: Stan Ford...Back Alley Bikes
Sng Spd: Wayne McGilvery...Conejo
Jr X Wmn: Rachel Throop...Ritchey-NOVA
Exp Wmn 19-29: Maegan Merrifield...Amgen-Abic
Exp Wmn 30-39: Ruby Evans...Helens
Exp 40-49: Cheryl Roth...Helens
Exp Wmn 50+: Carol Rickle...Jelly Belly
Spr Spt 19-24: Richard Dodge
Spr Spt 25-29: David Smecek
Spr Spt 30-34: Carl Hekkert...Los Gatos Inn
Spr Spt 35-39: Roger Moore...Bicycle Bob-007
Spr Spt 40-44: Jeff Volpe...Velosport
Spr Spt 45-49: Mike Gourley...Bikes of Ojai
Spt 19-24: Devin McGhie
Spt 25-29: Bill Wildenberg...Anthonys
Spt 30-34: Jason Perkins
Spt 35-39: David Calta...Amgen-Abic
Spt 40-44: Tom Arnold...Amgen-Abic-Rosanne Barr
Spt 45-49: Steve Colford...Simple Green
Spt 50-54: Mark Alvarez
Spt 55-59: Ron Warpack
Spt 60+ Cal Burgart
Clyd: Mike Holt...Cane Creek
Clyd 35+: Michael Dulin
Tandem: Nathan Giardina-Kim Heinlin
Spt Wmn 19-29: Linda Stiles...Velosport
Spt Wmn 30-39: Wendy Gabriel...Ironclad
Spt Wmn 40-44: Cynthia Taff...Back Alley Bikes
Spt Wmn 50+: Donna Austin
Beg 19-24: Zach Goldman...Bike Empire
Beg 25-29: David Dougherty
Beg 30-34: Michael Miller...Amgen-Abic
Beg 35-39: Alton Omura
Beg 40-44: Bill Lascuran
Beg 45-49: Brian Coleman
Beg 50-54: Rick Curtis
Beg 55+: Alan Takahashi...Marzocchi
Beg Clyd: Mike Segel
Beg Clyd 35+: Steve Smock...Velo Avanti
Beg Wmn 19-29: Dawn Long...PMBC
Beg Wmn 30-39: Dena Feingold
Beg Wmn 40-49: Kelly Stenglein
Beg Wmn 50+: Theresa Bondurant...Depraved
Jr 17-18: Cody Smith...Bike Shop LV
Jr 16: Austin Carroll
Jr 15: Luke Kinney...Specialized
Jr 14: Brad Oien
Jr 13: Brandon Lee...Trek-VW
Jr 12: Kody Adams...Downhill X
Jr 11: Michael Hansen...Trek-VW-Jax
Jr 10: Peyton Vanderlinden...I.E. Bikes
Jr 13-14 Short Course: Michael Schlereth...Phantom
Jr 12 Short Course: Seth Vanderlinden...I.E. Bikes
Jr 10-Under Short Course: David Ramirez...Hollywood Fitness
Jr Wmn 15-18: Michelle Annereau
Jr 14-Under Wmn: Amber Throop...Ritchey-NOVA
Jr Wmn Short Course: Lauren Arasim...I.E. Bikes
CALIFORNIA STATE DH CHAMPIONS
Pro: David Klaassen Van Oorschot...Intense-Spy
Pro Wmn: Kristin Powers...No Brakes
Semi-Pro: Steve Herrmann...Giant-Cambr
Spr Mst 35+: David Forbis...Foes
Jr X: Garrick Anderson...123bikes
Exp 19-24: Matt Condrashoff...Planet X
Exp 25-29: Darren Smith
Exp 30-34: Kenny Gioeli...Ellsworth
Exp 35-39: Patrick Grassmann...Surface To
Exp 40-44: John Swanguen...College
Exp 45-49: Bobby Bondurant...Depraved
Exp 50-54: Steve Bird...I. Martin Imports
Exp 55+: Tom Lamb...Chumba
Jr X Wmn: Rileigh Aller...No Brakes
Exp Wmn 19-29: Erin Gerke...Head First
Exp Wmn 30-39: Chelsea Redwood...No Brakes
Exp Wmn 40-49: Nancy Harris...No Brakes
Spr Spt 19-24: Brian Enriquez...Incycle
Spr Spt 25-29: Josh Cooper
Spr Spt 30-34: Armando Vidales
Spr Spt 35-39: Tad Lent...TNT
Spr Spt 40-44: Ron Kagel
Spr Spt 45-49: Bryan Justice...Atomic
Spt 19-24: Vincent Catalano...Hanebrink
Spt 25-29: Mike Openshaw...EVS
Spt 30-34: Scott McCloskey...So Cal 6-pack
Spt 35-39: Thomas Secor...TNT
Spt 40-44: David Collins...Chumba
Spt 45-49: Seth Dawson...No Brakes
Spt 50-54: Eric Nohr...Sherpa
Spt 55-59: David Bitney
Clyd: Eric Fort...123bikes
Clyd 35+: John Casey...Azonic-MRP
Retro: Jack Kincaid
Retro 35+: Gary Griffith...Comp Edge
Spt Wmn 19-29: Letanya Austin
Spt Wmn 30-39: Linda Travis...Turner-Romic
Spt Wmn 40-49: Debi Nicholls...Velosport
Spt Wmn 60+: Doris Matyasovich...Team Oxygen
Beg 19-24: Timothy Tucker...Perm & Slims
Beg 25-29: T. Asprey
Beg 30-34: Rick Nunez...Beyond Bike
Beg 35-39: Don Doris
Beg 40-44: Thomas Jefferson...White House
Beg 45-49: Christopher Holmes
Beg 50-54: Don Johnson...Miami Vice
Beg Clyd: Austin Puskas...Back Alley Bikes
Beg Clyd 35+: Tony Emry...Back Alley Bikes
Beg Wmn 19-29: Essence Barton...Giant-Dirt Girl
Beg Wmn 30-39: Carolyn McCune...Fun Pig
Beg Wmn 40-49: Debi Nicholls...Velosport
Jr 17-18: Cody Smith...Bike Shop LV
Jr 16: Brian Hair
Jr 15: Daniel Nidzieko...123bikes
Jr 14: JD Swanguen...Spy-College
Jr 13: Gunar Shelley...Chumba
Jr 12: Kody Adams...Downhill X
Jr 11: Joshua Nidzieko...123bikes
Jr 10: Thomas Hurd...Romic
Jr Wmn 15-18: Breena Furbee
Jr Wmn 14-Under: Essence Barton...Giant-Dirt Girl
Wheelchair: Gerard Moreno...Holiday Inn
CALIFORNIA STATE SUPER D CHAMPIONS
18-Under: Alex Hulett...Bear Valley Bikes
19-34: Barry Williams...Nemesis
35-44: Jim Clements...Team Velo
45+: Philip Strong
Wmn: Teresa Hill...Checkered Flag
CALIFORNIA STATE TEAM CHAMPIONS
XC: Velosport
XC Wmn: Back Alley Bikes
XC Coed: Amgen-Abic
XC Jr: I.E. Bikes
DH: Back Alley Bikes
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