Ridin’ High at the Ranch bike race another huge success
Sean Buehler keeps his spirits high during the 26-mile professional course of the Ridin’ High at the Ranch mountain bike race. Photo by Ashley GroganThe Susanville Area Bicycle Association’s sixth annual Ridin’ High at the Ranch cross country mountain bike race took place at Susanville Ranch Park on Saturday, May 27.
The morning of the race showed clear skies with the occasional breeze to distract from the heat. With a beautiful view surrounding each mile, the 62 racers from throughout the Northern California area had a spectacular ride from start to finish.
The point-to-point race had three official classes participate: beginner, sport and professional.
The beginner race was a 9-mile course, sport was 18 miles and professional was the full 26 miles.
Of the 11 bicyclists participating in the beginner course, the first-place finisher was Logan McCarthy with a time of 41 minutes and 33.23 seconds.
Three of the competitors in the beginner course were Lassen County residents.
Ben Parrish finished third overall and second in his age group with a finishing time of 48:37.44.
Rod McCollough was the fifth finisher and the first in his age group with a finishing time of 50:43.47.
Aaron Johnson, right, gives a thumbs-up during the 18-mile sport course while Natalie Atoms, from Redding, California, competes in the professional course. Photo by Ashley GroganDennis Hurd finished second in his age group and 11th overall with a finishing time of 1:23:59.71.
The sport course saw 28 competitors for the entire 18-mile duration. The overall winner of the sport race was Justin Kinser from Minden, Nevada with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 35.58 seconds.
The course saw seven Lassen County residents. The fastest of which was Mike Morgan. Morgan finished fourth overall with a time of 2:14:29.49. He was the first to finish in his age group.
Randy Robbins was the next Lassen County resident across the finish line with a time of 2:33:35.25. Robbins was 13th to finish overall and first to finish in his age group.
Aaron Johnson finished 17th overall with a time of 2:38:19.70. Johnson was the third to finish in his age group.
Close behind Johnson was Devin Connell with a time of 2:40:15.89. Connell was the 18th finisher overall and the fourth finisher of his age group.
James Stevens finished 25th overall and third in his age group with a time of 3:02:06.79.
Shayla Ashmore finished 26th overall and second in her age group with a time of 3:28:56.71.
Shayla Ashmore finishes the sport course with a time of 3:28:58.82 on Saturday, May 27. Photo by Ashley GroganCory Beekman then finished 27th overall and second for his age group with a final time of 3:28:58.82.
The professional course of 26 miles saw its first of 23 finishers, Nathan Barton, cross the line with 2 hours, 16 minutes and 8.16 seconds on the clock. Barton traveled to Susanville from Auburn, California.
Lassen County had two bicyclists take part in the professional course: Frank Winters and Sean Buehler.
Winters was the 10th finisher overall with a time of 2:38:44.61. His finish landed him second place for his age group.
Buehler was the third to finish in his age group and 17th to finish overall with a final time of 2:51.07.04.
The event saw many enthusiastic bicyclists and intends to host even more next year.
For results of non-Lassen County competitors, visit bizzrunningcompany.com.
