Spearfish bike race observes 10th year

B y J ason G ross

Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Mountain bike riders met at Spearfish Canyon Lodge in March to celebrate the 10th annual 28 Below Fat Bike Race.

This event began in 2014 as the Savoy Winter Challenge. Race creator and director Perry Jewett originally sought a long-distance race of roughly 100 miles, but the Forest Service did not approve.

Jewett also hosts two other bike races; the Dakota Five-O, which observes its 23rd anniversary in September, and the 11th annual Pine Island Gravel Odyssey leaves the starting line in June.

Negotiations allowed Jewett and his Ridge Riders of the Black Hills crew to gain access to the snowmobile trails that close days earlier. That prompted the 28 Below Fat Bike race to settle for its current 28-mile course (50 kilometers), with snowshoe races and ski races on a different course being part of that first year.

This race features a lollipop loop with about 2,800 feet of climbing. It is the only Black Hills race permitted to occur on groomed snowmobile trail.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge marks the race’s start and finish lines. A stretch winding up a canyon with a mild, gentle uphill grade marks the first 10 kilometers.

Cement Ridge Fire Lookout marks the course’s only checkpoint-aid station. All riders must check in here.

A section called “Schoolhouse Snowpit” follows a slight descent and is the only stretch (about one mile long) that is not on a groomed snowmobile trail.

Riders then re-enter snowmobile trails and go on Roughlock Falls Road for a steady descent. This is a backtrack of the race’s first 10-kilometer stretch and goes back to Spearfish Canyon Lodge to finish.

Jewett said riders navigated the 28 Below course in reverse this year in observance of the 10th anniversary. He added new challenges included a 12-mile climb to reach the aid station at the start.

“We still use the same course for 10 years for the fat bike race,” Jewett said. “Now, we just focus on fat bikes.”

Fat bikes must carry tires with a minimum width of 3.8 inches. Riders are advised to carry a helmet, bike repair equipment, and proper clothing for the weather conditions.

Thirty-three riders left the starting line during the inaugural race of 2014: 32 males and one female.

Preliminary projections estimated that 25 would compete.

Durango, Colo., resident Travis Brown claimed the male title in 2 hours, 48 minutes and 10 seconds.

Sergia Natario of Iowa City, Iowa, was the lone female entrant and turned in a time of 7 hours, 1 minute and 49 seconds.

Seven of the first nine races have featured at least 100 entrants, including the COVID-19 year of 2020. An even 100 riders left the starting line during that year’s event.

The 2018 event featured 182 riders leaving the starting line. One hundred sixteen riders started the 2021 race, and 128 started in 2022.

Jewett recalled that fat bike technology was still relatively new during those early days. He said participants did not have a lot of fat biking experience.

“We put these events on to challenge people, to give cyclists something to plan for,” Jewett said of the overall aim. He added the rides are created to be physically demanding while challenging partici -

Paying tribute to Veterans, The Black Hills Veterans March hits the trail in September. Pioneer file photo from Pg 1

Veterans March

sure, if their feet are tore up, they get fixed as they’re marching.”

Marchers will start on the Mickelson Trail at the Rochford and Dumont trailheads with both distances finishing at the

Deadwood Event Complex, where an awards ceremony will be.

“We’ve got different categories,” Wermers said. “Some of it’s military, in full military uniforms. Some of it’s civilians. So they just wear anything they want. Some people do carry flags. I’ve seen the POW, American flag, Norway flag, Mission 22. They have some people out there doin’ the 110 today. They’re carryin’ a flag. And we have heavy ruck competition, where people carry a 35-pound ruck sack in full military uniform.”

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Interested participants and volunteers can register for the event by going to the website: www. blackhillsveteranmarch.com.

Sundance State Bank Loan Production

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TACO JOHN'S DEADWOOD

Home to a taco-rific team of taco making professionals, Deadwood’s Taco John’s has been locally owned and operated for more than 25 years. One of the only fast food restaurants in Lead-Deadwood, locals and visitors alike rely on this south of the border staple to satisfy all kinds of Mexican food cravings. There’s nothing like talking over a couple of tacos at Gordon Park, making the Mickelson Trail part of a Mexican food run, or burrito bingeing just because. With a menu that is both tried and true and constantly innovating, Taco John’s Deadwood is never mildly missed and a red-hot addition to the table any day or night of the week.

Bike Race

pants to prepare.

“I also want to make it possible for everybody to finish,” Jewett said. “But at the same time, I also want them to have something to challenge them and to become a better cyclist at the end of the day.”

Jewett described fat biking as a niche group of cycling, with camaraderie playing a significant role. Riders catch up with old friends and gain experience on the course.

Early memories for Jewett included underprepared cyclists who went on to become top finishers based on what they learned. Other memories include Iowa families returning each year, not to mention the chicken noodle soup at the Cement Ridge aid station.

“That was the weekend that our world changed,” Jewett said in recalling 2020. It was March 14, and

Gov. Kristi Noem announced that no gatherings could exceed 250 people.

Jewett remembered the great sense of uncertainty, along with the group not knowing if it was doing the right thing in moving forward. Shutdowns began on March 16, 2020, with the group continuing to take precautions.

Some of those changes continue to this day. Individuals not feeling well are encouraged to stay at home. Hand sanitizer is available in great quantities, and food items at the aid station are individually packed. Volunteers also wear synthetic gloves while serving the food items.

“The returning of all my fat-biking friends,” Jewett said when asked what he most looks forward to this year. “The gathering of the 28 Below fat-bike family, and the volunteers.”

Jewett also thanked the volunteers and sponsors who have lent their efforts over the years.