D.IN.O Mountain Bike Races Return To Winona Lake
May 21, 2023 at 8:54 p.m.
D.IN.O Mountain Bike Races Return To Winona Lake
By Connor McCann-
This year was no different. As the festival returned this past weekend, the D.IN.O races did as well, with races for all different skill levels and age groups being held Saturday morning on the trail. With groups ranging from riders just beginning their cycling journey to the more experienced cyclists, riders and spectators of all ages were in attendance to give the races a big-time feel.
This particular race is just one of around 25 events D.IN.O will host all over the state of Indiana in a given year, as well as the first race kicking off the mountain bike series. The series consists of six races held all over the state that will run until the end of August. Point totals from these races are accumulated.
“We love starting the series here in Winona Lake. The community is so supportive and makes sure everything goes smoothly,” D.IN.O Director Brian Holzhausen said. “We always get a good turnout and we can tell people are excited for this series to keep coming back every year.”
With some rain coming in on Friday night and subsequently sinking into the dirt of the trail, racing conditions were perfect, with the muddy terrain making the trail just slick enough to get some real speed going.
After earning a second place finish a year ago, Rick Mezo of Crown Point took first place in the Elite Men division with a time of 2:04:50. Mezo’s victory was made even more impressive by the fact that he started the race a minute and a half later than all other competitors due to a chain issue with his bike. Last year’s winner, Chris Bowman, finished in third place.
Kelsey Devereaux took first place in the Elite Women division with a time of 1:42:03. The division had more than double the competitors it had last season. The junior race was won by Paddy Flanagan while Donovan Mast took first in the intro group.
“Races like this mean a lot to the cycling community. For some people it’s a way to motivate themselves, for others it’s a way to get some friendly competition,” Holzhausen said. “But more than anything it’s a way for athletes to meet new people and develop lifelong friendships.”
Holzhausen was also quick to praise the Fat & Skinny Tire Festival for all it does for the D.IN.O Series as well as the community as a whole.
“It was a natural fit for us to move our race to the same weekend when they announced the festival,” he said. “Since then the relationship has only gotten better and we’re thankful for the support and exposure they’re able to provide us with.”
This year was no different. As the festival returned this past weekend, the D.IN.O races did as well, with races for all different skill levels and age groups being held Saturday morning on the trail. With groups ranging from riders just beginning their cycling journey to the more experienced cyclists, riders and spectators of all ages were in attendance to give the races a big-time feel.
This particular race is just one of around 25 events D.IN.O will host all over the state of Indiana in a given year, as well as the first race kicking off the mountain bike series. The series consists of six races held all over the state that will run until the end of August. Point totals from these races are accumulated.
“We love starting the series here in Winona Lake. The community is so supportive and makes sure everything goes smoothly,” D.IN.O Director Brian Holzhausen said. “We always get a good turnout and we can tell people are excited for this series to keep coming back every year.”
With some rain coming in on Friday night and subsequently sinking into the dirt of the trail, racing conditions were perfect, with the muddy terrain making the trail just slick enough to get some real speed going.
After earning a second place finish a year ago, Rick Mezo of Crown Point took first place in the Elite Men division with a time of 2:04:50. Mezo’s victory was made even more impressive by the fact that he started the race a minute and a half later than all other competitors due to a chain issue with his bike. Last year’s winner, Chris Bowman, finished in third place.
Kelsey Devereaux took first place in the Elite Women division with a time of 1:42:03. The division had more than double the competitors it had last season. The junior race was won by Paddy Flanagan while Donovan Mast took first in the intro group.
“Races like this mean a lot to the cycling community. For some people it’s a way to motivate themselves, for others it’s a way to get some friendly competition,” Holzhausen said. “But more than anything it’s a way for athletes to meet new people and develop lifelong friendships.”
Holzhausen was also quick to praise the Fat & Skinny Tire Festival for all it does for the D.IN.O Series as well as the community as a whole.
“It was a natural fit for us to move our race to the same weekend when they announced the festival,” he said. “Since then the relationship has only gotten better and we’re thankful for the support and exposure they’re able to provide us with.”
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