Cycling for cash

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Bike enthusiasts will have the opportunity to race for cold, hard cash in the Second Annual 50/50 bike race, organized by the Bent Sprockets bike club. 
Last year 24 riders, a majority of them from other communities, flocked to Newcastle to compete in a half-paved, half-dirt road race that spans 23 miles. 
“We are hoping to see an increase in numbers this year,” said Anthony Sandoval, an active member of the Bent Sprockets. “We are looking to bring people to Newcastle, but it would also be great to have a sizable participation from locals.” 
According to Sandoval, the club started the race last year to help put Newcastle on the map and make the area a destination for health and well-being activities. 
“We want to do our part to increase Newcastle’s name in the Black Hills as far as events and activities go,” Sandoval said. 
This year’s race will follow the same track up U.S. Highway 85 from the Fountain Inn parking lot before moving on to Salt Creek Road for the dirt-road portion of the race. 
The last leg of the race consists of paved roadway on U.S. Highway 16 back to the Fountain. 
“We have three different distances this year, depending on the age of the rider,” Sandoval said.
According to Sandoval, there were only two distances last year, depending on whether the rider was an adult or an adolescent. This year, racers will compete in either the junior high age division, high school age division or as adults. 
“We found last year that the older kids showed more stamina than we anticipated, and this year we wanted to give them more miles.” Sandoval said. “High school students will start at the Fountain with the adults instead of at the overlook on Highway 85 where the junior high competitors will start.”
First-place finishers in each division will go home a little bit richer. The winning adult racer will take home $500. The high school students race for $250, and one ambitious junior high student will take home $100. 
“Professional bicyclists have certain things they want and desire as far as racing equipment goes,” Sandoval said. “It is difficult to anticipate their likes and dislikes for prizes. That is why we give them cash, so they can do what they want with it.” 
The group hopes that the cash prize will also help to entice more out of area bikers to attend the event. 
“Cash is always a good incentive,” Sandoval said. 
Other prizes will be put together through sponsorships from local businesses, which Sandoval said is essential and greatly appreciated by the organization. 
“Without them, this would not be able to happen. We rely on them to help provide for this race, and everything is greatly appreciated,” Sandoval said. 
Next year’s race is expected to consist of far more miles and two other communities. 
“We want to do a 100-mile race that will include riding to both Sundance and Upton,” Sandoval said. “We want to call it the Inyan Kara 100, and we hope to host the race in June.” 
The race will hopefully help to fill a deficit in road races in the Black Hills by providing another opportunity for bikers to escape their towns and homes to try something new, Sandoval said.
Anyone with questions can contact Sandoval at (509) 844-1013 or find Bent Sprockets on Facebook.