by Mike Hebe

This past weekend, the visitPA.com MTB team flexed its muscles on both the East and West Coasts. New teammate Rob Lichtenwalner traveled to California to contest the year's first 24-hour race: the 24 hours of Vail Lake. The setting was a blazing-hot desert landscape, and the competition was even hotter. Rob led the race for several laps before dropping into second place, where he remained for the rest of the race. It was an excellent season opener for the team's 24-hour specialist.

Meanwhile, back east, his teammates showed up at the Greenbrier Challenge AMBC National series race looking to test some early season fitness and secure the important National Championship qualifying spots. Representing the team this weekend were Mike Kuhn, Ray Adams, Nancy Adams, and Mike Hebe.

The team showed up at the park anxious to see what the torrential rain did to the course and what the impact of 300 plus racers would be. As the day passed, we had our answer. Rain plus hundreds of racers equals ever-increasing mud.

Mike Kuhn set the tone of the day with a stellar ride in the Marathon event with a superb 3rd-place finish. Mike's lap times for the EIGHT laps on the course were steady and fast throughout, proving again why he is a force in endurance racing.

Nancy Adams rode a superb race to finish 2nd in the Expert 30-39 class, showing she will be a force in the MASS XC again this year.

Mike Hebe rode a strong race in the Expert 40-49 class to finish 3rd in what may have been the prequel to the Mt. Snow National Championship race in July.

Ray Adams had the "good" fortune to do five laps on a course that was degrading fast as they day wore on. Little puddles turned to bogs. Trickles to streams. What was easily ride-able on the first lap was now four inches deep in mud at spots. Ray turned in an impressive top 10 in the Pro class against the best racers on the East Coast.

Without the support of our generous sponsors, these great results would not have been possible. Through some very trying conditions, our equipment worked flawlessly.

The team will be in action this coming weekend at two Pa. events: the CAT Classic, near Williamsport, and the Michaux Maximus 50-mile Endurance event, in the revered Michaux State Forest.

Big thanks to all our sponsors:

• visitPA.com
• Cannondale Bicycles
• Northwave footwear
• Rudy Project helmets and glasses
• SRAM Bicycle Components

Please support our charity:

• The Blue Bluterfly Fund