Cyclists ride in mountain bike festival

Sisters Country is made for mountain bikes -and dozens of riders took advantage of its trails in the second annual Sisters Mountain Bike Festival held last Saturday and Sunday.

The event included six ride options to accommodate any skill level, ranging from a Bend-to-Sisters 45-mile "Epic Ride" to a "Nothing to Prove" casual 12-mile loop designed for families and beginners.

Fifty-two riders preregistered and 70 total turned out for Saturday's event.

"We more than doubled last year's number," said organizer Ken Serkownek.

The Epic Ride began in Shevlin Park, in Bend, with 24 riders taking the challenge.

"It was a really tough, great ride," said Kenny Wolford, of Bend, the first to complete the ride. "It was a little sandy in places."

Wolford's cycle computer showed the route was 45.3 miles with 4,108 feet of climbing. It took him 5 hours, 13 minutes of riding to finish.

All the other ride options were routes on the Peterson Ridge Trail System, south of Sisters, and began and ended at Village Green Park. Besides the Epic Ride there was a Mid-Epic, 30-mile course, a 20-mile "easy" ride, the Nothing to Prove casual ride and, for women, a category called "Blazin' Beauties."

Twelve women chose that event, which began with some yoga, followed by bicycle skills training on an obstacle course, and ended with a trail ride.

"This is helpful for new riders," said Robin Rose of Sisters. "I'm not a beginner, but I had a great time. It's nice to ride in a group. I don't feel comfortable riding that type of ride alone."

On Sunday, 25 riders participated in one of two rides; a 20-mile course and a poker ride, a fun event in which the cyclists ride to different stations along a course and collect playing cards. Riders win prizes for winning poker hands at the end of the ride.

"Next year's event will again be held the last weekend of September. We'll have similar events, but more aid stations," said Serkownek.

The event is designed as a fundraiser for the Sisters Trails Alliance. It coincided with the Sisters Fresh Hop Festival, also held Saturday at Village Green Park, a happy coincidence for many of the thirsty cyclists.