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Ryan wins Wheel Up, ski pass

Heisterman top female, Lamont top junior

Long weekend plans, a bachelor party, the Xterra Canadian Championships and a variety of other factors kept the numbers low for the 2010 running of the West Side Wheel Up - although in the end that didn't seem to matter. People who couldn't be there sent along money to buy raffle tickets or bought extra to make up for the lower numbers and in the end organizer Phil Chew said they earned as much for the B.C. Para Alpine Ski Team as past years - roughly $3,000.

"It was a long weekend that was busy with other activities, which probably drew about 30 of our riders away," said Chew. "But people really stepped up this year, and the result was that we raised about the same as last year for the ski team."

Chew says he will look at the calendar next year to try to find a weekend for the Wheel Up where there's less conflict. That could mean moving the race up a week to the last Saturday in August, or moving it back to the end of September or early October.

"We're not a big race, so we may just have to look at where we can fit in, and how we can make it better," said Chew. "The race is going to happen, no question, but there are a few things we need to look at."

The race itself took place in perfect conditions - about 20 degrees with a breeze. Some rain earlier in the week also helped to keep the dust down but there wasn't a single puddle on the entire course.

"It was probably the best race we've had with the conditions, and it was really cool to see Matt Ryan win the (draw prize for the Whistler Blackcomb ski) pass as well as the race, especially after winning it four years in a row," said Chew. "Brandi Heisterman put the boots to a lot of the guys out there, and it was nice to see her out there. And we also saw an incredible time for Mahon (Lamont) in the juniors. He gave a few of the guys a run for their money."

The times can't be compared to previous years after a course change - Danimal North and Whip Me Snip Me rather than Beaver Pass - but were roughly on par with 2009.

Matt Ryan was the top racer for the fourth consecutive year, completing the race in 1:09:36.

"I don't want to say it was kick-ass, but it was," said Ryan. "You couldn't ask for better conditions, it was just phenomenal. The course was great, the ride went smoothly and everything came together - no mechanicals, no dabs, and a clean ride all the way through."

Ryan was mostly on his own during the race but saw Dave Burch bridging up at one point at Beaver Pond.

"I knew he could ride a bike, so I really put the afterburners on in Danimal," said Ryan.

Every winner gets to add something to the trophy, so this year Ryan is adding a piece of flagging tape from the Xterra triathlon and the words "Is this the Xterra course?" A lot of athletes were pre-riding the course on Saturday when the West Side Wheel Up came through, and at one point Ryan was flagged down by two girls who didn't notice his race plate.

"I was totally hypoxic on the climb, I couldn't even string two words together. I just kept riding."

Mike Boehm kept it close as he came in second at 1:12:10, followed closely by Michael Robinson in 1:13:49. Chris Clark and Dave Burch rounded out the top five in 1:14:08 and 1:15:33 respectively.

The top female racer was Brandi Heisterman, who placed a solid 10 th overall in 1:22:40.

"It was awesome - perfect riding conditions with the weather, the climbs were perfect and the perfect grade. I haven't had a chance to do some of those new trails, like Piece of Cake and A La Mode and Get Over It, so that was great as well, those were really fun trails."

Heisterman found herself in a group that included Eric Crowe and Matteo Abel, and managed to get the lead on a few climbs before she would get passed on the descents. Both riders ended up passing her on River Runs Through It.

"I had my best run ever through River, but I'd get held up not knowing the lines and I fumbled a bit," she said. "It's just an awesome course."

Lesley Clements was second in 1:32:01, with Robin O'Neill coming in at 1:35:07.

Mahon Lamont was the top junior and on pace to finish in the top 10 when he had a flat tire on Get Over It. He still managed to placed 14 th overall in 1:29:47.

"I was riding with Eric Crowe (eighth overall) until then, and just flatted out in one of the loamy sections," said Lamont. He placed second in B.C. in the Grade 8 category at the high school championships in May. Lamont will wrap up his competitive season at the Cheakamus Challenge on Sept. 18. He will be doing the full 70-km distance.

This was the 17 th year for the West Side Wheel Up. Results will be posted at www.worca.com.

Chew thanked his volunteers and the community for continuing to support the event, and especially Whistler Blackcomb for once again providing a season pass for the prize draw. As well, chew thanked Huey Tollett of Whistler For the Disabled for his support, and a sponsorship for $500.