April 6, 2008 – The 8th edition of the Tour of Pelham rolled out under beautiful sunny skies this past Saturday. Lake to Lake Events Inc. with the help of SCCC presented Ontario’s first race on the calendar, and subsequently welcomed over 100 participants to a unique event which encompassed paved road, dirt road, gravel road, single track, rail trail, muddy chutes, farmer fields, woods and enough hills over 35 km to make any set of legs ache.

The mass start ensued from Agape Valley Farms straight up hill and into Niagara’s back roads. Team Handlebars Nathan Chown attacked in the first few kilometers and with teammates Ian Young and Justin Hines sitting there was only so much local rider Tom Freure (Liberty), Ed Veal and Ted Ingram could do about chasing.

Chown stayed out front and out of trouble utilizing his cross skills to conquer the slippery terrain as the day before unleashed a few mm of rain on the course. Behind Chown teammates Young and Hines distanced themselves from the chasers, securing a Team Handlebars podium.

On the women’s side 49 year old Debbie Clarke of Hamilton stayed out in front of local riders Kelly Smith (SunFlower Girls) and Sara Lee for the win.

Results

1. Nathan Chown (Team Handlebars) 59:50
2. Ian Young (Team Handlebars) 62:50
3. Justin Hines (Team Handlebars) 63:09
4. Ted Ingram 63:17
5. Tom Freure (Liberty Cycles) 64:27
6. Ed Veal 65:37
7. John Roden (Team Shikluna) 65:55
8. William Fu 66:34
9. Johnathan Wilby 66:38
10. Carl Clarke (Brant Cycle) 67:43
11. Dave Enns (Brant Cycle) 67:43
12. Greg Palmer 69:35
13. Jeff Shikaze 70:20
14. Stephane Marcotte 70:35
15. J.Craig Douglas 70:37
16. Dan Lefebvre (Team RACE) 71:56
17. Chris Fuller 72:42
18. Eric Stock (SCCC) 73:03
19. Denis Thang 73:17
20. Chris Frutel 73:40 (1st under 18)

Top 12 Women

1. Debbie Clarke 92:46
2. Kelly Smith 98:32
3. Sara Lee 100:08
4. Mary Clarie Haley 104:25
5. Lucy Defazio 106:59
6. Peggy Humber 110:01
7. Anna Tykoiz 112:13
8. Jen Smith 113:03
9. Amber Darroch 113:05
10. Katyn Dundas 119:31 (1st under 15)
11. Julie Ann Kent 119:32
12. Dawn VanEngelen 120:50