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Apple Shed hosts mountain bike races For the second time in as many weeks, mountain bike racers put their skills to the test at the cross-country course built by Matt Wells and Kirk Haltiner, son and son-in-law of Apple Shed owners Gary and Barb Wells. Last Thursday, 30 fit and hearty Spandex-clad riders from western New York braved the heat and humidity to ride their two-wheelers up and down the hills, through the woods and orchards, over narrow bridges and even through standing water on what has become known as one of the best technical courses around. Newark's Chris Washburn, 42, who has been racing for six years, agreed with that statement and described the course as, 'Fantastic.' Apple Shed events coordinator Becky Haltiner credits her husband, Kirk, with the idea of holding mountain bike races at their farm. She said they had been trying to come up with a different activity to attract people to their farm, which has been in the family nearly 100 years. Kirk Haltiner, a three-year rider, was riding his bike around the farm a couple of years ago, and was following a deer, which disappeared over a hill. He took the same path and tumbled head over handlebars, landing face up. While lying there, he had the idea that this would be a great place to hold mountain bike races. 'It was almost like a Field of Dreams thing,' he said. He and Matt then began a campaign to clear the 4.5-mile course with chainsaws, hand rakes, and their imaginations. According to racer Teresa Beer of Fairport, who races every week, 'This is one of the most technical but very ridable courses I know of. It's challenging, but still fun to ride. They don't have many courses like this in the states. You usually have to go to Canada to find them.' Becky said their races are run by National Off Road Biking Association rules, one of which states that you're on your own if you break down on the course. However, she added, there is always someone around the course in case of injuries. At the (August 21-22) Hard Core '04 Weekend, the Fairville Fire Department ambulance and a crew will be on hand. 'This will be a big race with about 150 riders, and the serious racers will probably take some chances that could get them in trouble,' she said. In explanation, she said speeds up to 35 mph are not uncommon and the average finish times for beginners, who complete two laps (nine miles), is about one hr. 15 min. Experts, like seven-year racer Jason Hilimire, president of Geneva Spin Club, can finish three laps, or 13.5 miles, in about the same time. On July 22, he rode a course record of three laps in one hr. 12 min. Hilimire has raced as an Expert for three years and will soon be competing in a NORBA national cross-country series held in Idaho and Colorado. He expects to be upgraded to semi-professional at the end of the season. Apple Shed Owner Gary Wells said he enjoys mountain bike racing because it is an individual participation sport. He also said, 'This is a wonderful way to use our property. It's a very spectator friendly sport. People can go back around the course to watch, and it's quiet, as opposed to motorcycle or snowmobile riding, and these are great people to work with.' Questions can be e-mailed to Phone 331.6294. Online registration can be completed: Copyright
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