Highlands Fat Bike Series Race – McHenry Results

The Highlands Fat Bike Race at Lions Club McHenry Community Park this weekend was nothing short of a grueling adventure. With temperatures remaining below freezing for the past week, the course was coated with light, powdery snow that never fully set, making for a very challenging race. A total of 54 riders registered from across the region, pushing their limits on the unforgiving snowy terrain, turning the event into a test of both endurance and determination.

Each pedal stroke was an effort to maintain traction and forward momentum, forcing competitors to dig deep into their reserves. Racers described it as one of the toughest fat bike courses they had ever faced, with many finishing completely spent but smiling through the frost.

Dan Larino, hailing from New Jersey and racing for The Valley Om p/b Two Rivers Brewing, took the overall win in the Masters (45+) category with an impressive time of 1:32:52.4. Dan’s steady pace and consistent lap times showed he was more than up to the task, despite the course conditions. Sean Smith, representing JB’s Bike Shop Racing, secured second place with a finish time of 1:46:56.4, delivering a strong performance across the challenging course. Rounding out the top three was Greg Sampson, crossing the line at 1:56:58.5 after pushing through a tough final lap.

The top three finishers in the Men’s Open category showcased strong performances. Zach Bittinger from Poplar Lick Race Team claimed first place with a time of 1:33:47.6, completing each lap with consistent times. Bobby Alkire, also representing Poplar Lick Race Team, finished in second with a time of 1:49:40.2. Although his laps were slower compared to Bittinger, Alkire maintained a competitive pace, finishing +15:52.6 behind. Richie Dellinger, a third Poplar Lick Race Team rider, secured third place with a final time of 1:55:45.5, marking a gap of +21:57.9. Despite slower lap times due to tougher course conditions, all three riders demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the race.

The top three women in the race displayed outstanding determination and grit. Julia Kastner from Joey’s Bike Shop took the win in the Women’s Open category with a time of 2:21:06.7, finishing with impressive lap times and a final margin of +48:14.3 ahead of second place. Victoria Weeks, representing The Victory Lap/Blackwater Bikes, secured second place with a time of 2:39:33.5, maintaining strong performance despite a few slightly slower laps, finishing +18:26.8 behind Kastner. Colette Sexton of NJCX Project rounded out the top three with a time of 3:02:36.4, completing each lap with steady pacing despite challenging conditions, finishing +41:29.7 behind the leader.

Local riders made their presence known as well. Ryan Pyska, a Garrett County Coyotes Composite teammate in the Juniors (Under 18) category, put forth an impressive effort. Ryan’s determination and grit shone through as he battled the tough course, representing his local community and proving that young talent is thriving in Garrett County.

One of the standout stories of the day came from Aurie Hsu, who hopped on a fat bike to take on a snowy course for the first time. Despite the challenge, Aurie’s determination and positive spirit earned her the Grit Award, a recognition for her incredible perseverance on the snow-packed course. For Aurie, it wasn’t about winning—it was about showing up and taking on a new challenge.

Ed Stanley, a new rider from Cumberland, embraced the fat tire bike experience with enthusiasm, making his mark at the Highlands Fat Bike Race. “I enjoyed the fat tire bike experience. I have never done anything like that before,” said Stanley. His background in gravel biking and trail riding gave him a strong foundation, but he found the unique challenge of fat biking to be a fresh and exciting adventure. “I have ridden gravel bikes and on the GAP Trail extensively, but I will definitely be riding a fat tire bike again,” Stanley shared after the race.

Events like this aren’t just about competition—they’re about bringing people together. Riders cheered each other on, swapped stories about their toughest laps, and shared in the camaraderie that only a shared struggle can create. Whether they were seasoned racers, juniors, or first-timers like Hsu and Stanley, every participant contributed to the day’s energy and excitement.

“What a fantastic turnout for this race! Over 50 riders is a significant milestone,” said Sarah Myers, series organizer. “Fat biking is becoming more popular, and this series is a great way to unite the cycling community and celebrate the pure joy of winter riding. The McHenry Community Park also proved to be an excellent venue since, thanks to the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club, the trails were groomed.”

As the Highlands Fat Bike Series continues, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next race: Will the conditions ease up, or will Mother Nature throw another curveball? Either way, one thing is certain: the fat biking community will rise to the challenge, as they always do.

DATE: January 26, 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM Race Start
ADDRESS: Canaan Valley Resort State Park – Golf Pro Shop
230 Main Park Road, Davis, WV 26260
REGISTRATION: https://highlandsfatbikeseries.com/ Online until January 23, 2025, 11:59 PM
Day-Of Registration Available

A huge thank you goes out to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who made the Highlands Fat Bike Series – McHenry event possible. Special thanks to Kenneth Myers, Kevin Mark, Cheryl DeBerry, Carla DeBerry, Charles DeBerry, Zanea Mullenax, Larry Mullenax, Allison Mullenax, Aaron Mullenax, Mary Mateer, Sarah Kaiser, Mark Kaiser, Keela Pfaff, Mary Giordano, Chris Nichols, and numerous volunteers. To the riders—congratulations on your incredible efforts. Whether you finished first, last, or somewhere in between, you earned every pedal stroke on that course.

Shoutout to event series co-producer TrailLabs and event sponsors Highlands Outdoors Magazine, Fox’s Pizza Den – Deep Creek Lake, Vagabond Taproom, FitLab Deep Creek, Livengood AllGas, Andrew Eiswert – Railey Realty, MountainBurst Photography, Narrows Hill, Garrett County Outdoors, and Garrett College Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Education.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses and organizations eager to connect with this growing cycling and outdoor enthusiast community. We’re recruiting small businesses to cover costs of specific race-day needs ranging from $25–$250, where supporters will get great exposure on race day and in the video wrap-up.

The Highlands Fat Bike Series runs through March, offering a variety of terrain and conditions at each stop. Series points will be awarded to participants, with top competitors recognized at the final event.

For more information, including questions, race details, and/or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.DCABfun.com or contact Sarah Myers at 240-321-9925 or sarah@dcabfun.com.