The first Orecrusher cross-country mountain bike race in Brackendale was a smashing hit as 133 amateur and elite riders aged 12 to 50-plus powered through the Cheekye Fan on Saturday (May 10).Participation almost doubled last year's version of the race, called the Pre-Test XC, and organizers estimate about $4,000 was raised to offset the extra-curricular costs of the Outdoor Leadership program at Don Ross Secondary School."I was extremely happy," said race director Jim Douglas. "It's nice to see an event grow and grow and just keep going."Depending on the category, riders from around the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and even Washington completed two to six 5.5-kilometre laps around the course designed for all-out pedaling with moderate climbing and descending. "It's a full-on charge on the bike the whole time," said Douglas. "There are no big recovery periods, there are no big huge downhills, it's just go and race solid for a good two hours."Neal Kindree battled with Vancouver training partner Martin Lazarski to win by three seconds in the Male Elite six-lap category with a time of 01:46:22. Ryan Edwards and Dwayne Kress placed sixth and seventh respectively. Since the rain held off, the trails were dry and fast, which made Kindree's battle with his training partner all the more aggressive, he said."We were basically sprinting for first and second," he said after the race.The Orecrusher was Kindree's last race before heading to Quebec and Ontario on Monday (May 12) to compete in three Canada Cup races starting May 17.Team Squamish's Eden Imbeau placed first over one other rider in the Female 16-17 three-lap category finishing with a time of 01:19:05. The first lap turned out to be a bit congested but for the most part the course was "really flowy," she said. While the Orecrusher was a first race back for many riders, Imbeau has been busy competing in the high school races over the past few weeks. Still, she was impressed by the positive atmosphere."It's really great - everybody's super supportive," she said. "Team Squamish also took control of the Female 14-15 two-lap category with Lauren Rosser and Kristin Drygas giving the one-two punch respectively with times of 48:16 and 51:50. Meanwhile, Brackendale's Maia Kilby placed sixth with a time of 59:14.Jereomy Pelletier and Rob Leigh placed second and third in the Male 14-15 two-lap category, both recording times of 43:23 which were decided by split seconds.Riders earning first place in their categories earned a ticket to the infamous Test of Metal on June 14. Second place finishers received complementary entry into Gearjammer on July 26 and third place finishers can race next year's Orecrusher free of charge, as Douglas intends to continue the race as an annual affair.He said that through the hard work of volunteers and organizers, Squamish continues to build a reputation for holding first-class sporting events."The comment that was made to me was it's so neat to come to Squamish and you always get a well organized event with no hassles and it's just a bunch of fun," said Douglas.
