Rough riders
Aggie cyclist Joan Meiners won the women’s category A at Utah State’s only home mountain biking race of the season at Sherwood Hills Resort on Saturday.
Meiners finished the 15-mile course in one hour, 37 minutes and eight seconds. It was her first race of the season and the first time she has ever competed in the A category.
“It was hard – it hurt,” Meiners said. “The loop was longer, but I had a faster pace. I still have weaknesses on a mountain bike. There are some technical skills I don’t have and I’m not used to riding on rocky terrain.”
Out of the three cyclists in the men’s A category, professional rider Mitchell Peterson, representing the University of Utah, finished first in 1:37:17.
Kodey Myers from USU came in second with 1:51:18.
“Next week will be a lot better,” Myers said. “I won’t be run-down from trying to organize a race.”
Heather Smith from USU finished first in the 10-mile women’s category B.
The team’s next race is in Grand Junction, Colo., on Oct. 6.
Myers said during the next week, he is going to ride more consistently, sleep and relax.
Two national champions will be competing in Colorado, which Myers said is a little intimidating.
Myers and Meiners are also hoping to qualify for the national competition in New Mexico on Oct. 19.
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