WINONA LAKE – Hundreds of bicyclists participated in the 11th annual Fat & Skinny Tire Festival Saturday and Sunday in Winona Lake. Bicyclists competed Saturday in the Do Indiana Off Road bike race and the Criterium Race Sunday. Dennis Barber, 56, North Bernon, competed in the 30-mile DINO race Saturday on the Winona Lake trails. “I’ve been racing 21 years and have come up every year for this race,” Barber said. “This course is fast-paced and fun.” He said he rides his bike five days a week and 30 miles a day. Dave Bradway, 32, and his girlfriend, Emily Andrews, 29, both of Muncie, did the 10-mile DINO race Saturday and the Criterium Race Sunday. “We like to come here because our friends and family come here and it’s an annual event,” Andrews said. Andrews said the bike trail in Winona Lake is the first trail she rode on when she began mountain biking, and said it has been interesting to see how the course has changed over the years. “There is a main loop and off shoots for advanced parts, log overs, raised bridges and a lot of variety,” Andrews said. Jon Clodfelter, 44, Indianapolis, did the 30-mile race Saturday. “This is a great trail system that is a lot of fun and has good flow,” Clodfelter said. Russell Nichols, 41, and his son, Jarrod, 14, both of Indianapolis, participated in the race Saturday. Russell did the 20-mile ride, and Jarrod did the 10-mile ride. “I enjoy the festival and this is a technical course with fast sections and challenges all around and a course that is in great condition,” Russell said. The Nichols raise funds for World Bicycle Relief, a charity where donations are accepted to send bicycles to students and entrepreneurs in Africa so they have transportation. Kevin Houk, coach for Midwest Development, Indianapolis, brought his bicycle team consisting of 52 youth ages 6 to 16 to compete in the DINO series. It was the first of seven races the team will do this summer. “I hope they have fun and this teaches them how to win and lose and builds character,” Houk said. Houk’s daughter, Diane, did the 7-mile race Saturday. “I like to hang out with my friends before and after the races and challenge myself,” Diane said.
