Bikers challenged at State Games

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
June 4, 2004
Strength and endurance are the two words that come to mind when talking about the annual Mountain Bike event in the State Games of Mississippi.
The event will once again take place at Bonita Lakes on the upper lake and long-time commissioner Tom Martin hopes that the event will be a success in 2004.
The event will be open for adults and children, and Martin is looking for more kids to take part in the mountain bike race.
The event will have one of the biggest changes of the State Games in being a part of the torch ceremony. The plans are to include a torch relay from Vicksburg to Meridian with the mountain bikes carrying to torch the length.
The event will have four courses for the different age groups. The men's expert division will be the only division to compete on the long 20-mile course.
The 20-mile course will be divided into four laps and the 15-mile course will be in a three-lap format. The 10-mile course will be divided into two laps and the five-mile course for beginners with be one lap.
The courses for the kids 14 and under have yet to be determined and the first race of the day is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. with the men's expert division.
Registration will be open for racers that arrive until 8 a.m.