Fifty-five riders lined up on Anna Street Sunday, Oct. 11, for the first Black Hills Mountain Bike Classic. The 30-mile race took them across open plains, up into Vanocker Canyon and back down through the Fort Meade Recreation Area. The race capped a three-day weekend hosted by Sturgis Outdoors, a local nonprofit, to show riders just how special the Sturgis Trail System is.
The weekend opened on Friday with a community group ride, a 9-mile loop on Bob’s Trail, Fort Meade Trail, Gauntlet and other local trails. On Saturday, riders took part in a scavenger hunt around Sturgis, collecting photos, stamps, and stickers at stops across town. Every participant in the scavenger hunt received a small prize. That evening, Sturgis Outdoors in partnership with Sturgis Brewing Company hosted “FreeHub Presents: A Mountain BIke Film Festival” on the lawn of Sturgis Brewing Company. The free screening featured short films about riders who overcame adversity to reach their mountain bike goals. Viewers scanned a QR code to vote for their favorite film, and voting continues through FreeHub as the festival tours other communities.
The race started at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Riders headed from Anna Street toward Old Stone Road, where they entered the Sturgis Trail System at Sabre Trail. The course climbed 4,252 feet over its 30 miles. Riders had five hours to finish, and 52 of the 55 starters crossed the line within the cutoff.
Cool temperatures and the threat of rain didn’t slow the field. Riders came across the finish line fast and smiling. Bryce Thorman won the men’s division in 2:19:57, followed by Jesse Vanderweide in 2:31:30, and Chad Schone in 2:54:37. Holly Olson took the women’s title in 3:04:15, with Manya Larson second in 3:25:54 and Jennifer de Hueck third in 3:30:11.
Eleven-year-old Alec Olson won the under-18 division in 4:11:15, a time that also placed him 16th overall.
After the awards ceremony, riders and spectators enjoyed live music from the Tyler Bills Trio.
Sturgis Outdoors said it was “extremely happy” with the weekend and is already planning next year’s race for next fall. The group hopes to grow the Black Hills MTB Classic into a larger event that draws riders from outside the area to experience the trails and outdoor recreation in Sturgis’ backyard.
Sturgis Outdoors credited the event’s participants, many sponsors, and volunteers, for making the weekend possible.
