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Show 18 Vernal Express Wednesday, August 7, 1996 Adrenaline, thrills and spills another successful Dinotrax by Eric F. Pye Sports Writer They came from Canada, they came from Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States. The one common thread was their love of adrenaline and this year's Dinotrax Mountain Bike Festival at Red Canyon Lodge in the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area provided the medium for their collective expression expres-sion and express they did! The 4th Annual Dinotrax Festival featuring guided tours, cross country coun-try race and downhill race enjoyed its largest number of participants this year with 250 some-odd competitors com-petitors going after the mountain trails and each other over a 27 mile cross country course (pro and expert class) and two mile downhill track. The proof of the event's popularity populari-ty is in the numbers. In its' first year (1993), the Dinotrax Festival attracted at-tracted 117 entrants. In 1994, 157 riders participated while last year 167 competitors turned out in one of the country's fastest growing sports. When asked about the event's growth, promoter and organizer Ron Lindley said; "it's probably a combination com-bination of a couple factors. The first and most obvious is the growth of the sport in general. Mountain biking appeals across a broad spec- W Professional rider Charles Heaton who finished 3rd shows the strain of the long uphill climb coming out of Swett Ranch. Centennial Olympics; lessons well learned by Eric F. Pye Sports Writer The Centennial Olympics are over. Throughout the course of 17 days, we were all treated to incredible incredi-ble human achievements. We wit-ncsNcd wit-ncsNcd some of the best and worse of our own human nature and potential. Two achievements in particular impressed me the most and will be remembered more than any other from this Olympiad. The first was everyone's reaction to (he bomb blast in the Olympic Park. The second was the positive step women's athletics in general have made since the last Summer Olympics and the positive direction they seem to be heading. There were plenty of Individual accomplishments to be sure. Who wasn't touched by the depth many athletes reached to perform their very best in this oncc-in a lifctimc opportunity? Kcrri Strug, Carl Lewis, Kurt Angle (wrestling), JackiC'loyncr Kersce who won a bfnnc in the long jump on her final attempt displayed Incredible emotion emo-tion afkr their performances and gave us a glimpse of the pasion and intensity involved in their cf ftlftS. A blatk South African won the first gold medal for his country in its history as did a female swimmer from Ireland. Great accomplish ments each. But to me, the real in spiration and tinderiding lessons came from group performances and reactions. The bomb blat threatened to ac tually shut the Olympics down at first. But the intantaneous reaction trum. It's not just for the hammerheads hammer-heads or adrenaline freaks. Mom and dad can take the family out on a nice ride together. We see more and more family combination participating participat-ing in our events. Father-son, husband-wife etc. are entering because they can." Lindley was referring to the fact that all Cannondale Cup events have categories for just about any age or level of rider imaginable from the professionals down to 12 and under beginners. "That's probably proba-bly one of the most appealing things about the way mountain bike events have been set up," Lindley continued, contin-ued, "at each event, there are tours for the non-competitive and dozens of categories for anyone wishing to it compete. Just about everyone has a chance to participate at their own level." Saturday and Sunday's events were a prime example. In Saturday's cross country race, 202 riders competed in 25 different categories cate-gories including a new Clydesdale class which featured riders over 190 pounds receiving 15 second per pound handicaps. "The thing I like about these events is us amateurs can hang around the pro's, see their equipment and compete on the same course at the same time as they do. It gives you a feeling of comraderie by all including the victims over-rode the pain, fear and terror intended by the blast. From the Olympic officials and organisers down to the fans, the re action was the same. "We are not going to let a cowardly terrorist act deter or ruin such a positive and beneficial event," was the general feeling and statement made by the masses. For something which could have been so devastating and destructive, it was incredible to see it (the blast) become a rallying cry for the exact opposite of its intention. What a refreshing re-freshing statement of our true human hu-man nature and psyche. No banners, no advertisements saying; "we are awesome, you can't touch us," or Icrrorists go home!" or some such commercialized message. mes-sage. We alt simply reacted in the most positive way we could whkh to ignore the blasts intent and continue on with the Olympic venues. Rock solid. As for women's athletics, the numbers and performances speak for themselves. More ?:- v " Pro rider Eric Jones negotiates with everyone, it's great!," one beginner be-ginner racer said. Adding to the general atmosphere was the presence of the GT Racing Team's work van, which is provided free of charge for all riders to work on their bikes using the GT tools and equipment at each Cannondale Cup event. For the serious riders, who compete com-pete on a Western tour, the event is another opportunity to build up NORBA (National Off Road ? ... ;v . C-IXrf VmdCkL jrv , IIIIIIIIU h II I Hi " ' 1 ' . Competitors in the sport class jockey for a good starting spot. successmedals than ever before. More Olympic and world records set than ever before. Better competition compe-tition and better athletes than ever before. I guess the message I got from the , women's performances was the positive pos-itive statement their success made about women's role in society. It's not so restricted anymore.. More opportunities, which translates trans-lates to more success, which translates trans-lates to more confidence and involvement in-volvement which ultimately translates trans-lates into a better society for all of us. Why? Because anytime a segment of our society grows, we all grow with it. Their gain is our gain. It means we are utilizing the potential and talent of a much greater segment seg-ment of our nation than ever before. As has been stated many limes, athletics tend to be a reflection of life in general. If women are making strides in athletics, then strides are being made in other segments of society so-ciety as well. Inntcad of saying, "women should do this or women can't do that," we are beginning to look at life with a much more tolerant position. More and more we say, "if that person has a latent, it doesn't matter if they are male or female, ihey should develop the latent lo its full potential." The Olympics put an exclamation point on thai thought tn other words, we are losing some of our role-based prejudices thai have held back personal growth for so long. Anytime a societal prejudice prej-udice can be overcome, it's a positive posi-tive step for everyone male of female. ostitis.. the bumps and rocks as he flies along Bicycle Association) Cannondale Cup points towards national events. Successful riders earn company sponsorships, not to mention healthy portions of the $5,000 in cash and merchandise awarded to the top finishers in each category. Saturday's cross country race got under way at 10:30 a.m. with the proelite men. All racers rode the same course except the beginner women and 12 and under juniors. Their course consisted of the top - si rrrrrzc'-rJ 1 Vprnal Dinosaur Triathlon Legend Finish Line (3 Turn Around Points for Run and Bike Run Course tf Bike Course fJ Swim Course m,ww b. ..! .!' 1 mm a hkt turn ti'uhd ft or iM p Map displays course outline (or 4 U&if tKC t&&i- :-t?Unri '.tJ the Canyon Rim Trail last Saturday at Flaming Gorge. part of the race course with participants partici-pants making two loops (about eight miles). All other racers rode the 17 mile course made up of the Lodge Loop, Canyon Rim Trail and Swett Ranch Loop. The proexpert men had to do three loops of Swett Ranch (about 27 miles) while the proexpert women did two loops of Swett Ranch (about 21 miles). "It's a tough course. I was prepared pre-pared for the endurance demands, 14th Annual Vernal Dinosaur Triathlon Steinaker State Park will host the 14th Annual Dinosaur Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 10. Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer the athletes. Due to the number of participants and spectators expected at the park, the park will be closed to boat launching and beach use from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Boaters with single park permits to Steinaker State Park are welcome to use that permit at Red Fleet State Park for the day of Aug. 10. "We are ahead of any of the previous previ-ous years as far as pre-rcgistration iOi Second run turn around FINISH LINE! ft J l triathlon which will take place this but I wasn't prepared for the pounding pound-ing your body takes going through the rocks, bumps and trees," local competitor and master men winner Bob Fallon said, "I'm glad I had a fully suspended bike, although it worked against me a few times on the bumpy downhills." Fallon's sentiment ran pretty consistent con-sistent throughout the participants. See Dinotrax page 19 goes," triathlon chairperson Marty Fallon said, "we are expecting our largest field ever and most diversified diversi-fied also." Steinaker park management apologizes apol-ogizes for any inconvenience this may cause and hopes visitors will understand the importance of hosting host-ing this nationally recognized triathlon which serves as the Rocky Mountain Regional Championships this year. For more information please call Steinaker State Park at 801-789-4432. For information or to register for the triathlon call 781-5486. 781-5486. First run Utn around I I Venial -----1 - I Saturday, Aug. 10. f ! Transition V. I |