The fourth annual Pedal by the Puddle bike race was a huge success this past Sunday as more than 170 riders from across the province took part in the event under sunny skies.
Ryan Oliver and Sarah Purslow from Williams Lake took first place in the Mixed Category, with Cory Brunelle and Nicole Brandson taking third.
Race organizer Ivor McMahen and Chris Masters, both from Williams Lake, took first place in the competitive Men’s Team Category.
In the morning the Micro Pedal and Kids Pedal had great participation with more than 30 entries completing the short course.
A huge group from Prince George came down to participate in the event and grabbed a number of first-place spots in a few of the categories.
Riders from 100 Mile House, Wells, Vancouver, the Okanagan and Kamloops all joined the Williams Lake Cycling Club in making the event a success.
“The course conditions were excellent and riders have provided great feedback on their experience,” said event organizer Ivor McMahen.
“The success of the event is a testament to the cycling culture in Williams Lake, which is described as welcoming and friendly. We are already looking forward to next year.”
The event is sponsored by the Barking Spider Mountain Bike shop and Cariboo Dental Clinic which are huge supporters of mountain biking in the Cariboo.
“This is the second mountain bike event held in Williams Lake this season, and is part of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium’s ongoing initiative to grow the economic impact of mountain biking,” said Justin Calof, chairperson of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium.
“This year’s Pedal by the Puddle drew more than 60 people from out of town. This type of event increases the economic impact of the mountain bike sector in the Cariboo, which is part of the overall goal to diversify the regional economy.”
The Williams Lake Cycling Club would like to thank the Merritt family, who hosts the start/finish area on their property.
“It’s a significant contribution to the event, without which the event would not be possible,” McMahen said.
“The Merritt’s are community heroes in the club’s eyes.”