Cyclists stampede in Sisters race

It's become a signature Sisters event, the unofficial kickoff to the summer season: 500 cyclists hit town to race the 25 miles on the Peterson Ridge Trail in the sold-out Sisters Stampede.

"The course is in really good shape," one rider shouted to another as they headed for the start line for the elite men's start.

And it was; firmed up by recent showers, but dried out by the sun. It was, however, dusty. Very dusty.

"We're going to have a real stampede - in a cloud of dust," said Andrew Luscutoff, who was riding with a formidable Blazin Saddles team.

Casey Meudt, owner of the Sisters bike shop, said the team is "bigger than ever," with a solid 10 riders who are "doing well in the point standings for the Oregon XC Series."

The Sisters Stampede itself is bigger than ever. A horde of spectators lined the course for a hundred yards from the starting line. They erupted in cheers as Sisters cowgirl MJ Murphy galloped her buckskin mare Warbucks out of the gate to launch the race.

Dozens of riders followed in a tight pack.

Meudt noted that the Stampede sold out to its 500-rider limit a week in advance this year.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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