BLACK HILLS SINGLE SPEED CHAMPIONSHIPS JULY 3, 2005

Blue skies, no wind and 70 degree temps greeted 36 riders that came out for the Black Hills Single Speed Championships this Sunday. Conditions were ideal as a small amount of rain fell the day before, just enough to keep the dust down on the fun singletrack trails in the rocky/rooty forest near Rockerville, SD. A total of 24 riders showed up on dedicated single speed bikes ( four of those were UNICYCLISTS for Pete's sake!) A dozen geared riders showed up and took the vow to abstain from shifting on the 12 mile loop. Gear selections were generally lower than 2:1 for the climbing that lay ahead.

Right off the gun, a group of 6 male riders, all single speed, jumped to the front after the initial one mile climb and turn into the first singletrack of the challenging route. The field was quickly thinned out as the difficult climbing and tricky trail tested the riders' skills of balance and pedal timing, as well as just plain fitness. This first climb of some 3 miles is followed by a near 2 mile descent on fast, open mature singletrack that allowed 4 riders to get off the front and continue a 4-way battle that continued through the rest of the race with a couple lead changes occurring. In the end, only 10 minutes separated the first 12 places.

In the Women's division six ladies showed up to fight for the Black Hills Single Speed Women's Title. Two of the women got good position going into the singletrack and proceeded to pick off the overly eager men that surged ahead at the mass start. The eventual women's winner and leader throughout the race had her seat rip from its rails half way up the second big climb, resulting in a little more standing than was bargained for! Like a trooper, she picked it up so as to not litter the route.

Lots of prizes from Surly, Salsa, and the fine folks at QBP and Acme Bicycles were given out at the Gaslight over burgers, sodas (beers) and milkshakes. The grand giveaway was a Kona Unit Single Speed bicycle frame donated by Kona to get one more Black Hills Area rider out on a single speed! Thanks guys!

The over all winner in the Men's and Women's category each won a gift certificate for a Tattoo to remember their efforts by! Purple Impala in Hill City will ink them up to be forever known as the 2005 Black Hills Single Speed Champions. Thanks to everyone for coming out to ride!

Men                                          Ladies
1. Butch Knight 1:08                 1. Lisa Gustin 1:25
2. Tim Rangitsch 1:09               2. Joey Knutson 1:27
3. Dirk Gustin 1:10                   3. Paullette Kirby 1:36
4. Wayne Zantow 1:10             4. Val Gross 1:48
5. Josh Dailey 1:11                   5. Lisa Christenson 1:51
6. Ed Engler 1:14                     6. Mrs Aaron Costello 2:02
7. Jason Frasie 1:16
8. Gary Haven 1:17
9. Jim Stone 1:18
10. Jake Anderson 1:18              UNICYCLES (4.4miles)
11. Will Lind 1:19                       1. Mike Ray 42 min
12. John Rehorst 1:19                 2. Leif Johnson 49 min
13. Chad Carpenter 1:21            3. Andy Johnson 50 min
14. Bob McGlothlen 1:22           4. Forest Johnson 52 min
15. Mike Flannery 1:22
16. Randy Erickson 1:26
17. Aaron Costellop 1:30
18. Doyle Nehl 1:32
19. Chris Miller 1:33
20. Jason Collins 1:35
21. Drake Olson 1:35
22. Brant Miller 1:37
23. Shane Daniel 1:41
24. Dave Kent 1:46
25. BJ Erickson 2:02