By Ryan Leech

In the midst of an incredible heat wave that blanketed the East Coast, the visitPA.com Mountain Bike Team took to the steep hills of Danville, Pa. for the annual Tour de Tykes race weekend. Saturday's short track race found only a dozen or so riders willing to sweat through the searing temperature for the 25-minute race. visitPA.com's Mike Hebe stayed cool before he put the heat on, trouncing his competitors for a solo win. By winning, Mike also catapulted himself into the Mid-Atlantic Super Series Short Track Series lead!

Sunday also brought temperatures in the upper 90s for the very challenging cross-country race, an 18-mile zigzag gaggle of great trails in the stewardship forest of the Geisinger Medical Center. Hydration and a strong support crew would be the key to success for the team. Michelle Stopper took the Elite Women's race by storm, winning by nearly 15 minutes. Nancy Adams also had a fine day, scoring the final podium spot in 3rd.

In the Elite Men's category, Ryan Leech and Wes Schempf powered through the course's 4500 feet of climbing to score 3rd and 4th, respectively. The team's support crew noted that Leech was the most refreshed looking rider coming through the midway point, a nod to proper hydration and cool water on his back. The team found strongmen Ray Adams and Mike Hebe well adapted to the heat. too, taking 6th and 8th place. Farther back was Mike Yozell, who rode a conservative race due to a prior experience with heat stroke.

Besides hosting in extreme heat, the stewardship forest showed its true nature. At the very start of the race, the riders huffed their way up a long climb, which also happened to be the sunning spot for a five-foot-long black snake. It seemed reluctant to move as a few hundred cyclists jammed along, only inches away. The riders also traded stories of turtle sightings along the singletrack as several Eastern Painted turtles were taking up real estate along the tight course.

All in all, it was a good day for the team and a well-run event.

Thanks to our sponsors who make this all possible:

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