Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival. Events kicked off on Friday with an age 13 and under biathlon race. Above (from left): Jason Bartley, Gannon French, Max Bartley and Keegan Enis prepare to start the race, which featured two laps and two target shooting rounds from prone position with the .22 gauge rifles.

all photos by:David Deschesne

By: David Deschesne

September 27, 2007

The Nordic Heritage Sport Club hosted the Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival at their club location in Presque Isle over the weekend.

Nearly a dozen entries representing various age groups participated in the Biathlon event which featured a mountain bike course.

On Saturday, the main events took place at the traditional start location of the Nordic Heritage Center.

John Farra is Maine Winter Sports Center’s new Vice President, replacing Max Saenger who moved to another job earlier this year.

“We have a Youth Cross Country event for four different age groups,” said Farra. “There is also an adult competition which is divided into two parts; sport and expert, as well as downhill mountain biking.”

Tom Towle assisted in the starting of the youth races and passing out awards to the winners. “You’re all winners for participating today,” said Towle. “I want to thank everyone for coming out. It sure beats sitting around in front of the television chomping on an extra bowl of sugary cereal.”

According to Farra, the Maine Winter Sports Center has a few paid staff but “it’s mostly run by volunteers.”

This year’s 2nd annual Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival was expanded to two days and seeks to utilize the Center’s facilities for more than just winter sports.

Youth X/C Mountain Bike ages 8-10

Maine Winter Sports Center athlete, Haley Johnson (right) gives tips to Gannon French on the firing line at Nordic Heritage Sports Club’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival last weekend.

Biathlon veteran, Hilary McNamee from Fort Fairfield helps Brenda Demerchant with her firing technique.

The Mass Start of the adult X/C Mountain Bike Competition on Saturday.