Katie Compton
Trek/VW East

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Sport Racers at FSVS Iron Hill XC

FSVS Iron Hill XC
by Bill Deputy

Sunday Aug. 13th, 2000

FSVS / Henry's Bikes pulled off another well run event at Iron Hill Park, Newark, Delaware.

There was a good turn out even though the weather was quite threatening most of the day. I apologize for missing the Beginners in the morning but I did not intend to cover the race.... just snap a few pictures. However, once in the field I just couldn't help but interview a few racers.

Brent Biddle plotted out a very original course for this year's race utilizing almost all of the single track that was available (except for one hill that was known to have a problem with bees at the bottom). The racers went down the 896 hill this year (the long high-speed one with the rubber waterbars and a left turn at the bottom), but still had a couple of good climbs to keep things tough.

It was refreshing to ride in a different direction than is normally chosen without losing all of the fun elements like the mega dip (a short but steep drop in and out of a little valley (approx.. 40 ft.), the rock garden, etc. Everything seemed to run smoothly with the results and prizes given out in a timely fashion.

Things weren't as slippery as everyone thought they would be as the rain held off until the very end of the Expert race. The trails were a little slick but generally traction was very good. Most of the racers were making it up slime hill (a short, steep clay covered hill that becomes very slick when wet) without much problem.

Jeremiah Bishop (K2 / New Sun) was the fastest racer of the day. He had some tough competition out there with the likes of John MacInnis (Sobe / Headshock), Dave DuVall (TREK / VW East), Jeremy Whimpey (TREK / VW East) and Brandon Ott (Tailwind) to name a few. (Check out his interview for the details). Katie Compton (TREK / VW East) won with a 24 minute lead. Just another normal local race for Katie.

Greg (Fergie) Ferguson (TREK / VW East) had an amazing Men's Pro/Expert 30-39 1st Place win in 1:59 after racing a 90 mile road race the day before this race. Mr. Ferguson races just about any kind of race that involves two wheels and is always helping out the younger racers and anyone else for that matter. What a role model this guy is.

The Jamaica National Champion Zerial (Zero) Halyes and his coach Rusty Jones both from Negril, Jamaica were on hand for this event. Zero could have raced Junior 18 and under but decided to duke it out with some of the fastest pros on the east coast. He finished a very respectable 8th place. Both gentlemen were looking for overcoats as it was extremely cold dipping down into the 70s.

Todd Forrest (WW) took first place Expert 40+ Master on a bike borrowed from second place Mark (Fuzzy) Nickerson (WW). Fuzzy made the mistake of loaning Todd his Litespeed 3 speed. Someone was seen passing around a petition that Mr. Forrest won on a "nonstandard bike" but after an informal investigation by race officials it was decided that Todd's response of "it's not about the bike" was sufficient to keep his title. Then it was rumored that he was actually 39 not 40+ but after showing race officials identification his birthday was indeed later this year. Katie and Todd worked together most of the race and claims to have let Katie pull away at the end.

Mark (Fuzzy) Nickerson (WW) had an amazing run into second place behind Todd at age 46 on a SINGLE SPEED. Mr. Nickerson created a charity that allows kids who require a ventilator to do the impossible.... become mobile. He has designed a device that makes this possible and changes the lives of these children in a big way. It's hard to believe that a guy that does all of this can ride his bike with such power and technical prowess.

Jessie Epstein (WW) showed that he is ready to jump into the Experts with a 1st place Sport Senior (19-29) win under his belt. Check out his interview. Joey Garramone (WW) worked with Jessie most of the race placing 3rd.

Brett Beardon (WW) who is new to the racing scene knows only how to finish 1st place so far in mountain bike races. She won the Sport Women race on a single-speed. She's not into computers and didn't really want an interview but was kind enough (with the coaxing of Katie Compton) to give us a profile. Way to go Brett! Lyn Shaffer (WW) rode with Brett throughout most of the race finishing up a very respectable second crossing the finish line together with Brett just 5 seconds back.

John Thompson (WW) showed how to get a first place with very little time to train. He works around 11 hours a day, maintains a busy family life keeping up with active Justin Thompson (DEVO) competed in the Worlds Cyclo-cross Championships in the Netherlands earlier this year, Joey Thompson (WW) who came in second in the Junior Sport race at age 15, and Jeremy Thompson (unattached) 1st Place 11 and under at the Fairmount AMBC this year. John knows about getting a lot done with very little time. Check out his interview.

Terry Turns had a very nice post race feed zone for the WW team and friends. The food was great (especially the hamburgers). Thank you Terry and Alan.

Sorry again for missing you beginners. Once this site is developed we'll be doing a much better job of race coverage.

If there are any Iron Hill first place finishers out there who would like an interview just send us an email: bill@mountainbikeracer.com

NEED TO CONTACT US? - bdeputy@mountainbikeRACER.com

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