Great weather, fast trails & good times at the 15 Annual Dairy Capital Stampede

Despite all the rain that fell throughout Oxford County this week, great weather and good times were had at the 15 Annual Dairy Capital Stampede, 6-Hour Solo and Team Mountain Bike Relay hosted by the Woodstock Cycling Club (WCC) on Sunday September 14, 2014 at the Pines.

WCC Members: Ryan Ludington, Race Coordinator & Jody Mitchell, Treasurer

Long-time WCC member, Treasurer and first place winner in the Four Person Relay, Jody Mitchell reported that the course was in fantastic shape as the rain helped to pack everything down. He praised the many volunteers who helped with trail maintenance and the race. Jody stated there were 45 solo riders, 12 mixed teams in the Four Person Relay and 15 participants in the Two Person Relay. This year membership for WCC is 240 strong an increase from last year. This year the Club brought in an out of county membership. In order to ride in the Pines, 20 km of rugged cross country trails that WCC leases from Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, one has to be a member of the Club. Pedal Power Bikes & Boards, located on Dundas Street in Woodstock, Ontario, is the headquarters for the Woodstock Cycling Club.

Many racers praised the excellent condition of the course like John who participated in the Two Person Relay with his friend also named John calling themselves Double J. With just one minute left on the clock, the second John made it in just before Ryan Ludington WCC’s Race Coordinator sounded the buzzer to end the six hour relay race.

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The Double J's: John & John

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John cited it was a great course as he has ridden in many different places. From London, John has participated in this race about four to five times.  A common theme among the racers interviewed. John wanted to ensure that the volunteers were mentioned especially the time keepers, sisters Jessica and Gabi Grimes who sat for the full six hours of the race.

Keeping score, Timers Jessica & Gabi Grimes

WCC Members volunteering at race & showing their bike colours

Even novice riders participated and had an enjoyable time like the Jones family who were in the Three Person Team. Eleven year old Drew, father Dan and thirteen year old Bryce Jones from Fergus, Ontario all completed the race. Although it was the boys’ first time riding in a mountain bike race, father Dan has been mountain biking for eighteen years.  This is a family sport. Lisa Jones, Drew and Bryce’s mother, provided meals and emotional support to her team during the race. 

Drew, Dan & Bryce Jones

The Jones Family with mom Lisa

Vice President Chris Ferrell

_Vice President of the Woodstock Cycling Club Chris Ferrell thanked the volunteers who were marshals on the course and the members of the London Camera Club who took pictures of the racers. Chris also thanked the sponsor DC Mechanical before announcing the winners. Chris stated all were winners.

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Sponsor: DC Mechanical

Aerial view of the crowd at the 15th Annual Dairy Capital Stampede

Solo Women Winners: Juliette Prouse 3rd, Tanya Hanham 2nd & Kate Kaikkonen 1st Place

Race Results:
Solo Men             
First Place – Jamie Wagler
Second Place - Jeff Landry
Third Place – Phil Kaikkonen

Solo Women
First Place – Kate Kaikkonen
Second Place – Tanya Hanham
Third Place – Juliette Prouse





















Tag Teams
First Place -Kelly Koffmas &  Shawn Thibodeau
Third Place - Kerry Gale & Jeff Barker

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3rd Place Kerry Gale & Jeff Barker with 1st Place Winners Kelly Koffmas & Shawn Thibodeau

Tag Team 3rd Place Winners: Kelly Koffmas & Shawn Thibodeau

2-Person Men Team Winners: 3rd Passive Aggressive, 2nd - Outspokin 1st Place – London Team Type 1 Cycling

Two-Person Men Teams
First Place – Denny Saundes & Carlo Capaldi -Team – London Team Type 1 Cycling (both Denny and Carlo are Type I diabetics)
Second Place – Paul Dowsell & Scott Konecy – Team - Outspokin
Third Place – Ray Cunnir & Mike Strahl – Team - Passive Aggressive


















Team Relay
First Place – Judy Mitchell, Rod Naylor, Dave Feick & John Klassen (from Turkey Point)
– Team - 3 Locals & 1 Turkey
Second Place – Blaine Betzold, Adrian Saywell, Hank Redman & Chris Blacklock - Team R &R to O.C.
Third Place – Marc  Sherman, Brian Warkentin, Ryan Daiber –Team – Unruly Racing

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1st Place Team Relay Winners: 3 Locals & 1 Turkey

2nd Place Team: R & R to O.C.

3rd Place Team: Passive Aggressive

As a past member of Woodstock Cycling Club it was nostalgic returning to the Pines, reconnecting and meeting new people. I missed the comradeship that existed among the members, riders and racers.  I also miss biking in the Pines. I still sport numerous war wounds from many falls. Echoing another long-time WCC member, Larry Dubecki who rode in the Solo, it was nice seeing young members getting involved on the Executive. Twenty years ago when I was a member, young Thomas Clark was a bike mechanic at Pedal Power. Now he is the Club’s President. Way to go Thomas! Congratulations to WCC in yet another stellar race. Then again WCC and the Pines hosted and was the home to the Mountain Bike Ontario Cup Racing during the 1990’s.  But that’s for another story.

Fastest Lap in 26 minutes & 3 seconds, Denny Saunders from London Team Type 1 Cycling

WCC Upcoming Events - Dates to be announced later:
Fall Colours Ride
Halloween Ride
Tour De Pizza Ride
New Year’s Day Ride – January 1, 2015

Check out WCC on Facebook & Twitter, new website to be launched soon.

Photo Gallery of the 15 Annual Dairy Capital Stampede, 6-Hour Solo and Team Mountain Bike Relay