Thursday, October 4, 2007 4:58 PM CDT
12 hours of Stank
By Dawn
Boone
Express reporter
|
Nestled in the woods at the edge of Bartlett
lies a sleeping serpent. On Oct. 6, the serpent will awaken and take
into its fold Mid-Southerners, and some Yankees too. Some will make
it out, some won't. The serpent is measured in time, not feet. It is
12 grueling hours long. This is the USA Cycling event known as the
"12 Hours of Stank."
The sleeping serpent is the bike trails
that cut through Nesbit Park, known to area cyclist as Stanky Creek,
from which the race gets it's name. As it twists and turns, up hills
and down ravines, blood will be spilled and victory will be claimed.
On the back of the serpent can be a dangerous and painful place to
ride, especially for 12 long hours.
The "12 Hours of Stank" cross-country bike race is sanctioned by the USA Cycling and is growing into a must-be-at event each year as the popularity of the sport is at its peak around the country. Amateurs are welcome to ride the trails and test their endurance. However, President Bush would want to stay on the white trail at this event.
Three trails are marked throughout the park. White, yellow and blue.
"White is the less technical," said Dunn. It is the longest, however, so it challenges your endurance."
The park was left to Shelby County by the Nesbit family to be kept as a conservation area. Bartlett purchased the land from the county for $1 in 2005 and plans to uphold the conservation requests of Nesbit. Named Bartlett Park by Mayor McDonald, the acreage is part of Bartlett's long term plan and the city hopes to have a solid proposal on how best to utilize the land by 2011.
Until further plans are made for the overgrown property, the cyclists are more than happy to take advantage of the natural beauty and rugged lay of the land.
It is a trail biker, or cross country biker's dream come true. Undisturbed since 1984, the land is thick with dense brush and tall thin trees. Just the kind of vegetation that makes for challenging trails intertwined with roots, trenches from fallen branches and tight winding curves.
Opposition to the cyclist using the park has been an issue and in 2006 after the "12 Hours of Stank" race, Mayor Keith McDonald said the city would have to have a "sit-down discussion" with the organizers of the event before the next race.
A special event permit was filed with the city on Sept. 4, 2007 by Eddie Nunn to hold the annual bike race in the park and it was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. With all of the paperwork out of the way, area cyclists are getting ready to test their speed, technical ability and stamina on the demanding courses.
"I did the race last year, and it was a lot of fun," said Jim Fain, an avid cyclist. "I ride here because it is challenging."
Fain said in his former home state of Montana, the mountain biking was different because of the terrain, but he enjoys the challenges of the blue trail at the park.
"Some people think we are being degrading because we call it 'Stanky Creek,' but we're not," said Fain. "There is just a smell back in the woods sometimes, and that is where the nickname comes from."
This is the 8th year for the event although not consecutively.
"Different clubs have taken it on over the years, so we have missed a year here or there," said Dunn. "But I think it will definitely be an annual event from now on."
Dunn said the cyclists try to show their appreciation for use of the land by trying to keep the park clean and debris cleared out after storms.
"We had a guy come in from Colorado to ride and made a comment about some trash in the park. We were like 'Hold up, we are getting to it,' sometimes rain will bring trash into the area and we can't get to it fast enough," said Dunn.
Bartlett Parks Director, David Thompson said he thinks the cyclists do a good job helping keep the park in order.
"They always clean up after themselves," said Thompson. "Everything is bagged up after their events, like it should be."
Registration forms for the "12 Hours of Stank" can be printed or done online at www.stankycreek.com.
Early registration is over, but riders can still get into the race for $60, and spots will be placed until race time.
Solo, expert and two or three rider teams are accepted. More than $2,000 in prizes will be given away.
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