Downtown bike race a 'raging success'

By DAVID ERICKSON

Whitefish Pilot

By all accounts, the Fish Trails Criterium bike race on June 3 was such a raging success that its return next year is all but guaranteed.

"Oh, definitely. It'll be back next year," said Tom Danley, an event organizer. "I'm jazzed about how well it went, and I'm looking forward next year, and looking for ways to improve upon this year."

Danley said he hopes to be able to donate $1,000 from the event to benefit the Fish Trails bike path system, but he still has to factor in some costs associated with the event.

"We had to tow a couple of cars, which is something we have to incur, but I know I'm going to get $600 or $700. Hopefully we can top $1,000 though," he said.

Danley said he hopes to draw more of a crowd from around the valley next year.

"A lot of the people who come and watch have only seen the Tour de France. They don't realize how fast a road bike can go. On the flats, some of those guys were topping 35 mph, and for human-powered propulsion, 35 mph is pretty amazing."

Brad Morgan, a rider in one of the races, knows firsthand the inherent danger in high-speed road bike racing.

"Last year, during a race in Bozeman, I broke my femur in three places, so now I have a titanium rod inserted in my leg," he said.

The titanium rod didn't stop Morgan from winning the top-ranked Category 2 race, an amazing feat considering the severity of his injury. He said he spent several long, painful months recuperating and then rebuilding strength by riding a stationary bike through the winter.

Danley said he discussed the logistics of the event with members of the Whitefish Police Department, and they had nothing but good things to say about the event.

"It was a total success. We got a lot of positive feedback," he said. "Above and beyond what it did for the biking community, it's about the memories. It's an event, like the huckleberry festival, that people will remember year after year."