By Ray Adams

The Mid-Atlantic Super Series Rocktober Challenge Marathon, held in R.B. Winter State Park and hosted by Mike Kuhn of visitPA.com, is sure to be remembered as an epic achievement for those who had the strength to finish.

Anyone who knows Mike Kuhn knows that his races not only test physical ability but also the capacity for mental strength. This 76-mile bike race, three-fourths of it single track, consisted of three clover-leaf loops (24 miles, 35 miles, and 17 miles) back to the start/finish area. The first loop was fast, with steady climbs interspersed with easily navigable rock beds. The second loop held the most technical and time-consuming beds of rock, with lengthy technical climbs separated by hairy descents. Coming into the third loop, racers were greeted with a tame terrain of false flats, railroad bed double-track trails, and fun sweeping trails, ending with a short power line climb down to the finish.

Wes Schempf and Rob Lichtenwalner of visitPA.com and Brandon Draugelis of SoBe-Cannondale led a blistering pace until the end of the first loop, when Wes dropped back to ride with teammate Mike Hebe. Brandon and Rob traded spaces until Rob ran out of water and fell back to conserve energy, leaving Brandon to hammer alone for the rest of the race and finish in an impressive time of 6:39. Rob kept his pace and allowed a gap of only 15 minutes to pass—quite respectable for the working man. Wes and Mike crossed the line hand-in-hand to capture the 3rd and 4th spots for the visitPA.com team. The first Singlespudder, Matt Ferrari, came in at 7:40, followed by Topher Valenti, Bill Alcorn, and Mark Elsasser. For the women, Michelle Stopper of visitPA.com finished in a time of 8:21, while the other two ladies put in a valiant effort.

Those who ventured into PA Wilds territory this weekend to line up in R.B. Winter State Park for the Rocktober Challenge Marathon can rest assured that, finishers or not, they were a select group that was part of one of the technically hardest races on the East Coast. The sheer mileage of challenging, rocky singletrack was amazing in one of Pa.'s finest state parks. Maybe next year will bring a lucky fourth clover-leaf loop. One can only hope.

See the team in action next Saturday, May 24, in Maryland, at the M.A.S.S. Escape from Granogue cross-country and marathon race-a pillar event within the racing community, hosted by Marc Vettori.

Thanks to all our sponsors who make the ride more enjoyable:

• visitPA.com
• Cannondale Bicycles
• Deuter Hydration Packs
• Rudy Project helmets and glasses
• Northwave footwear
• Psycho Lube

Please support our charity:

• The Blue Bluterfly Fund