Avid mountain bikers from across the province – and even a few from other provinces and other countries – competed in Burns Lake at the ninth annual Big Pig Mountain Biking Festival last weekend. Hosted by the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association (BLMBA), the festival saw people of all ages and abilities participating in the family fun event. Ed Peters, who participated in Dante’s inferno enduro race to raise money for the Lakes District Food Bank, was able to complete all 10 laps for a total of 100 km. His 32 donors ensured a donation of $2100 for the food bank. Locals Pat Dube and Sean Broadworth are the only two participants who completed the Dante’s Inferno race every year for the past nine years. BLMBA was able to use the newly constructed shelter at Kager Lake for the first time, helping make the event run smoother than ever. The event was made possible by the numerous community sponsors and volunteers.
Friday Evening – Kid’s Events
Thirty-eight youth came out to test their skills in the downhill, pump track and cross-country events. The event was sponsored by Free Growing Forestry. Local Zoey Thom Lucy was the top sow rider in the cross-country and downhill race. Margaret Davis was the top sow rider in the Pump Track event. Damian Georgyev, from Prince George was the top boar rider in all three of the events.
Results- Youth Boar (Boys)
Cross-Country – Under 7 years old – All cookie medaled. 7-9 years old – Milo MacDougal, Ewan Hawes, Gavin Miller. 10-12 years old – Damian Georgyev, Riley Makowichuk, Isaac Moolman
Downhill – Under 7 years old, John Broadworth, Davis Benson, Magnus Finstad. 7-9 years old – Milo MacDougal, Justin Derksen, Dylan Stewart. 10-12 years old – Damian Georgyev, Isaac Moolman, Luc Night.
Pump-Track – Under 7 years old – Lola Wilson, Charlie Paulson. 7-9 years old – Milo MacDougall, Justin Derksen, Ewan Hawes. 7-9 years old – Damian Georgyev, Isaac Moolman, Cooper Thom-Lucy.
Results- Youth Sow (Girls)
Cross-Country – Under 7 years old – All cookie medaled. 7-9 years old – Bree Stanyer, Ella Broadworth, Hadasa Finstad. 10-12 years old – Zoey Thom-Lucy, Jordyn Stanyer, Hailee Makowichuk. Downhill – Under 7 years old, Lola Wilson, Charlie Paulson. . 7-9 years old – Bree Stanyer, Hadasa Finstad, Ryliegh Stewart. 10-12 years old – Zoey Thom-Lucy, Jordyn Stanyer, Hailee Makowichuk. Pump-Track – Under 7 years old -Davis Benson, John Broadworth, Ryan Franz. 7-9 years old – Ella Broadworth, Ryliegh Hiebert. 7-9 years old – Margaret Davis, Tephilla Finstad, Zoey Thom-Lucy.
Saturday Cross Country Races
Three races were held on Saturday. Riders could choose from the Dante’s Inferno 100 km challenge (consisting of 10 km laps), Wilbur’s Wheelay team event (with 5 km laps) or the Burnt Bike 30 km challenge (a 30 km single track loop).
Dante’s Inferno
Dante’s Inferno has been increasing in length 10 km each year, with this year’s finale being 100 km (10 laps!)! The event was sponsored by Tree to Tree Contracting. Nineteen riders completed the Inferno, with Chris Yip of Prince George taking first with a time of 5:09. Michael Jordan of Telkwa (5:13) was second, followed by Tom Skinner of Prince George (5:23). In the sow category, Aleksa Havelaar of Terrace took first with a time of 7:44, followed by locals Gabriella Hamp (10:25) and Rachelle van Zanten (10:26). 19 riders in total completed the 100 km course.
Burnt Bike Challenge
The Burnt Bike Challenge (BBC), sponsored by our local bike store, had 26 participants riding the 30 km loop of awesome singletrack. The top boar riders were Martin Labuda (1:59), Mike Smith of Prince George (2:00) and Matt Brown of Prince George (2:04). The top sows were Helen Purslow (2:35) and local Susan Russell (3:04).
Wilbur’s Wheelay
Wilbur’s Wheelay, sponsored by Pineridge Holdings, features varying combinations of friends, family members and co-workers! Teams complete as many laps of a 5 kilometer course as possible within 4 hours. This year saw 11 teams participate, with youth riding along with their parents to be a true “family affair”! Team “Triumphant Trio” (which ironically contained the following 7 members: Sophie Shaffer, Elise and Andre Dube, Brian Beck, Marcel Jungen, Nathalie Rauber and Alec Phillips) took first place with a 13 laps in a time of 3:55:54. Second place went to “Team Brown” (Noah, Trina and Matt Brown of Prince George) with 13 laps in 3:56:30. Local team “Two Boars and Sow” (Randy, Laura and Cameron Stewart) were third completing 13 laps in 3:58:48.
Sunday- Downhill and 4-Cross Events
Downhill Race
The Charlotte’s Web course (5.3 km) was fast this year, with some loose and tricky corners. 46 riders took part in the race sponsored by Tech North. In the Boar category, a new course record was set by Martin Labuda, from Burns Lake, with a time of 9:07.06 Dereck Thompson, of the Burns Lake Fire Attack Base, was second (9:12.5) and third was Brendan Lehman of Prince George (9:19.8). In the Sow category, first place went to Gabe Newman of Smithers (10:04.6). Second place went to Lo Bachand of Nelson (10:06.4) and third place Helen Purslow of Terrace (10:56.0).
4-Cross Race
Thirty-six riders took part in the 4-Cross, sponsored by Babine Forest Products. The race consists of 4 riders riding abreast, vying for the “best line” on a winding course consisting of table tops, step ups and berm turns. This year this event was once again an entertaining spectator sport, with several mild crashes and close finishes. The overall fastest sow was Gabe Newman of Smithers, and the fastest boar was David Charette of Smithers.
Detailed results by age category are available on BLMBA’s website at www.burnslaketrails.ca.
