from www.backontrackproductions.com

  "Another first rate event" was the word from the riders at the Liquid Fitness Cycling hosted Urban Cyclocross Series Turkey •Cross at Entradero Park, Torrance, CA. Besides the excitement of flying bean bag turkeys being tossed for extra series points there was an early buzz when the crowd learned legendary Ned Overend, the godfather of cross country mountain biking, was on the start sheet for the Elite Men 1,2,3 race. The question of the day was how would "Deadly Nedly", best known his World Mountain Biking Championship Gold in 1990 and Bronze in 1991 and six Norba National Mountain Biking Championship titles 1986, •87, •89, •90, •91, '92, handle the infamous Entradero Park hill and the new turn with three log barriers. Ned, racing for Specialized on a S-Works Stumpjumper hardtail, put the hurt on the younger riders for most of the race but in the end it was Team Bearclaw's Fritz Bottger taking 1st, Jason Lowetz in 2nd and Ned Overend aboard a mountain bike in 3rd .

 
Another surprise took place in the Masters 45+ race. The addition of the •cross friendly triple logs enabled the cross riders to edge out the top mountain biker Eddie Arnet for Mountain Bike Action Magazine.  Masters 45+ series leader Eddie fell behind Jim Pappe and Michael Longmire (who came all the way from Montana) to end up in 3rd. But Eddie still holds on to his series lead over Dave Hnatiuk.
 
A huge turnout of Shimano Youth racers 12 & under topped the day's attendance at over 150 riders. Back On Track's Random Cash handed out by junior Duncan Reid to the Elite Men category once again entertained the crown particularly when Lyle Warner edged out Brandon Gritters for one of the cash grabs!


 
Urban Cyclocross Series Event #4 hosted by Encore Cycling continues at Camp James in Irvine, this weekend December 16. For more information go to www.backontrackproductions.com.