Polar Bear 2005 Report:
Sunday, January 9th, 2005; Forestview High School
Course Details
: The Gaston County Cyclists sponsored its annual Polar Bear ride at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2005. The weather was excellent, with a temperature of about 62 deg F, little wind, & clear skies. The start/finish area was Forestview High School in Gastonia. The course was 50 miles long, with 1900' feet of cumulative climbing. Two optional shortcuts were available which reduced the route by 7 & 4 miles, respectively.Organizer
: Thanks go to Troy Bush & Margot Rott for organizing the event, marking the course, & patrolling the course, & manning the water stop.. Thanks also go to Charlene Angel & Melissa Magee for helping with registration.Results:
Not many details to report, but a front pack of about 25 riders averaged about 22 mph.Participants
: 131 riders were registered - 68 club members (including 13 new members, just signed up at ride) & 63 non-members. The average age was 42. The oldest was 64, & the youngest was 10.Riders came from the following 36 towns:
NC: Gastonia, Shelby,
Mount Holly, Charlotte, Cherryville, Huntersville, Harrisburg, Belmont, Concord, Dallas,
Kings Mtn, Sherrills Ford, Matthews, Stanley, Salisbury, Waxhaw, Monroe, Maiden, Vale,
Indian Trail, Biltmore Lake, Bessemer City, Lincolnton, Iron Station, Casar, Cramerton.
TN: Gatlinburg.