Bryner and Frye Win 2011 Powder Mountain Hill Climb

6-11-11 – The 3^rd Annual Powder Mountain Hillclimb proved once again just how rewarding the steepest climb in Utah can be.  With UCA points, cash and numerous prizes on the line, 76 motivated climbers showed up to challenge the mountain, their rivals and themselves.

The deep snow still lingering up the road would prove to be a dramatic backdrop for this late spring classic and the snow from last year’s event fresh on everyone’s mind, the day started on the cool side with a brief spring shower.  The rain subsided just before the start and the weather ended up being near perfect for such a grueling climb.  The sun managed to show itself just in time for the awards ceremony.

The race to watch was the Men’s Cat 1-2.  Norm Bryner and teammate Sam Kreig came with their game faces on.  Newly upgraded Cat 2 rider and Ogden resident, Darren Goff, was also motivated to prove himself in his own back yard.  The overall fastest time is awarded the Tecia Stout Trophy, a perpetual trophy established in honor of Tecia Stout who succumbed to ovarian cancer a few years ago.  Nate Cisney held the trophy for the past year but a back injury kept him from defending.  Cisney was the fastest rider in the previous two editions of the race.  He set the standard in 2009 at 41 minutes 20 seconds for the 3300 foot, 6 mile climb.

The Powder Mountain Hillclimb doesn’t give anyone much time to warm up.  Its steep from the get go.  There’s a neighborhood to pass through and then the unrelenting climb really starts to take shape.  Its at the road service gate where Bryner made his move.  His attack was followed by Krieg, Goff and Erik Herrington but Bryner’s pace was too much.  Bryner took the checkered flag in a record setting 41 minutes and 9 seconds earing his spot on the hefty Tecia Stout Trophy.  Harrington followed at 42:45 and Sam Kreig took the final podium spot at 43:19.  Darren Goff overcame his cold and took 4^th at 43:19.

There were many prizes and trophies up for grabs.  Women’s Cat 4 winner Jessica Arbogast won the beautiful “Fastest Female” trophy with a time of 51:40.  The unique “Clydesdale Trophy”, an actual Clydesdale horseshoe mounted on a plaque went to the fattest, I mean fastest, rider over 180 lbs.  Nate Pack was this year’s Clydesdale winner.  We all know that Nate Pack can climb!

Just finishing this “ridiculous climb”, as Junior National MTB Champ Keegan Swenson once described it, is a feat in itself.  For that a “Lantern Rouge” is also awarded to the last rider up the mountain.  Heather Smith took the prize in an admirable time of 1 hour 5 minutes.  It’s a testament to the underlying theme of never quitting and never giving up.  It embodies why so many of us race our bikes.  Its to challenge and overcome and have a ball in the process.

A special thanks goes out to all who participated in this tough event and to the sponsors who made it happen:  The Bike Shoppe, Peregrine Health, Enve Composites, Blue Iguana, Pro Bar, Roosters, Pearl Izumi Factory Store, Powder Mountain, Wolf Creek Resort, Diamond Peak Mountain Sports and The Bike Shoppe/Chick-fil-a Racing Team.