Registered Racers - 2014

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    Racer Name Hometown Bicycle
    1  Marie Autrey  Tucker, GA  Boneshaker: low-res modern repro, 48" wheel
     I competed in the inaugural Clustered Spires race, and managed to place fourth from last. This year, with a brutal training regime, and numerous seances in which I contacted the ghost of Major Taylor's coach (or was it his pharmacist?), I hope to place fifth from last. Seriously though, I love racing anything with two or three wheels and pedals, and always go wide open. But with two hip replacements in the last 12 months, my pace will be more stately than supersonic. Many thanks to my friends at Falls Creek Outfitters, ("Your Gateway to the Great Outdoors") for helping with this particular expedition.
    2  Steve Weddles  Greencastle, PA  2014 Nutter CZ Phase I
     I love the beautiful, simple machine that is the bicycle in all its many configurations. Lots of Road/MTB/BMX background... The Penny Farthing found me three days before the first CSHWR- I was hooked- had to go home and build one. I competed last year and ended up fourth on a bike of my own construction. Competing this year on a new, improved, more refined version- these things are so much fun to build and ride. Looking forward to a great event!
    3  Eric Knight  Berwyn, PA  1884 Expert Columbia 
     I started riding when I was 12 and now ride the bike my grandfather picked up in the 1930's and rode for about 60 years. I have been racing since the first Clustered Spires race and am looking forward to a safe and fun race.
    4 Rick Kemper  Silver Spring, MD 2012 Victory

    Rick has been riding about Silver Spring, MD for the past two years on his Victory High Wheel. He is in the process of restoring an 1880's English 56" wheel to riding condition and building a modern version of the "reverse penny farthing", the American Eagle for his own amusement.

    5  Haig Colter  Bethesda, MD  Victory 52" Replica
    Haig Colter is an avid cyclist. After mountain biking, cyclocross racing, road biking, triathlon and a stint unicycling, penny farthings were the next logical pursuit. Haig currently rides a 52" Victory which is a faithful replica of a Victor from the 1880s. Aside from a passion for antique bicycles, Haig also enjoys swimming, running, yoga, participates in full contact origami and has a serious interest in cryptozoology.  
    6 Chuck DeBolt Barnesville, OH 1990 Mesicek Rudge 50"

    I have been riding for a year. Started out riding with a 48 " ridable replica. I enjoy riding the bike. I was surfing the web about highwheel bikes on youtube. That's how I found out about the race.Since then I have been intrigued. I knew I wanted to try the race. I will be riding my Mesicek 50" bike. I just enjoy riding the bike. It sure turns a lot of heads.

    7  Angela Long  West Friendship, MD  2004 Mesicek
    This will be my third time racing in the Clustered Spires High Wheel Race; long-time road cyclist with criterium, track, and road racing experience. I love bicycles!
    8  Brian Caron  Hagerstown, MD  1882 Expert Columbia
     I've been into bike my whole life with an extensive background in Freestyle/BMX in the 80s. Eventually dabbling in MTB, Road, collecting and restoring classic and antique which is what piqued my interest in High Wheel Bikes.  I purchased the 1882 Columbia that I'll be riding in this year's race back in 2009 in rough but rideable condition.  It has been a work in progress and is now a great blend of originality and functionality.  I was the winner of the 2013 CSHWR, and will be riding to defend the title in 2014.  Looking forward to the exciting, fun filled day that this race has proven to be over the past couple of years!
    9 Alison Torpey Louisville, KY 1886 Expert Columbia

    A rider of the "Wheel" since 2008, I have raced all the Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Races. I have ridden a few Centuries (100 miles) with The Wheelmen through the years. I have also raced in the FORTH (Four Corners Ordinary High Wheel Race for 2 Hours) every year since its inception. I look forward to returning to Frederick to see the wonderful friends I have made through the years!

    10 Carson Torpey  Louisville, KY  1994 Mesicek
     Rode a high wheel in the opera, Pirates of Penzance, finished 2 Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Races, 3 century rides, one first place and one second in the Forth Races. One first place in the Calvin's Challenge event. 
    11  Mike Kennedy  Hagerstown, MD  2010 Sommerfield 60"
     Began riding in 2009. Have ridden in The Knutsford Great Race in England, Calvin's Challenge which is a 12 hour event in Ohio and have completed the C&O canal in 3 days.
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    13  Larry Black  Mt. Airy, MD  2000 Mesicek
     3rd year of this Frederick race. Parades, races, centuries and meets for 40 years. 64 years old; trader and collector of antique bicycles.
    14  Oscar Bernatsky  Uruguay  
    Oscar is a bicycle collector from Uruguay, and will be the farthest visitor/participant. He volunteered as a mechanic in residence in 2013 for a local shop. Father placed fourth in London Olympic cycling in 1940's.
    15  Reid Mueller  McLean, VA  1886 Singer
    I was a spectator at the first race in 2012, I was hooked. I hunted for a bike for 5 months before I placed my order for a new manufacturer Victory. Two months later I got a call from someone I was bugging about their Singer that sat for 30 years in their fathers basement. I purchased the Singer and a year later after going through extensive restoration by Craig Allen, I had it back on the road. Last year I rode the Victory, this year I will be riding the Singer.
    16  Brian Weber  Gerrardstown, WV  Josef Mesicek
     Bought a broke down, busted up, rusted 48" replica with my buddy Chris Rhoten at a junk store years ago. Chris modified it, rebuilt it and we became High Wheel addicts. We started Eastern Panhandle Bicycle's in Martinsburg, WV in 2008 and a High Wheel was used for our logo. Ive since purchased a few High Wheels to display in the store as well as to let folks try out and ride, including the Mesicek that I will race this year. Last year I raced one of Chris's custom builds (The Rock Ape).
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     22  Thomas Hawkins  Wallingford, PA  48" Rideable Bicycle Replica Classic
    I was named for my Great Grandfather, Thomas Hawkins, who owned and rode the first Penny Farthing in Brackley England. Destiny. This is my first time riding in the Clustered Spires Race, on a High Wheel borrowed from Nick Ackermann, a racer in previous years. 
     23  Neil Sandler  Frederick, MD  1870 Columbia Standard
    Have owned this bike for 25 years.  Came from a museum in Pennsylvania that shut its doors.  Competely original and authentic. I only ride it twice a year: the Braddock Heights Sports Parade and Eric Rhodes' nutcase event. :) Also, be sure to pick up a copy of the Summer issue of my publication Spokes Magazine, which is being handed out around the race course -- the cover story is about this year's high wheel race event with some photos from last year's event.  
     24  Erik Wang  Springfield, VA  Boneshaker replica
    This will be my second year for this event, really enjoyed seeing other riders and their passions. Made many new friends and looking forward to riding this event again. My son will be joining this year on his 36" high wheeler.
     25  Joshua Wang  Springfield, VA  36" High Wheeler
    Saw my dad did this event last year and told him I also interested in the race. we were able to find a bike for me, so I will be joining other riders this year and hopefully I can keep up with the 'big' wheels.'
     26  Keith Carter  Hagerstown, MD  Victory 52"
    62 years old. 3rd year for the Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race (2nd place the past two years). Average over 2,000 miles each year riding. Also the 12 hour Endurance Race in Springfield Ohio, Several Century rides events at the eastern shore (Snow Hill - Iron Furnace Event, and Amish Country Bike Event in Dover, DE.).    
     27  Ken Matthews  Falls Church, VA  1891 Columbia Lt. Roadster
    As a current Wheelman (Potomac chapter), I enjoy participating in this and other Wheelman events since it brings together national members and creates a unique atmosphere unmatched anywhere else. Although I'm not a competitive cyclist, I enjoy the thrill only this event can produce on race day. Make sure you're in Frederick, MD this Aug. 16.  
    28  Rob Stull  Thomas, WV  2012 Rideable Bicycle Replica (RBR)
    2nd year for the Clustered Spires Race
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    30 James Woodward Merrimack, NH 1885 52" Victor
    Jamie has been a member of The Wheelmen for over 40 years.  He has completed 25 centuries of which one was a double century (252 miles in 24 hours) and The Wheelmen Bicenntenial Tour (a 750 mile ride from Detriot to Phildelphia).  He normally rides an Eagle, a highwheel with a reverse wheel configuration; this race will be extra challenging for him as he will be riding a highwheel.
    31 Lori Woodward Merrimack, NH 1889 49" Columbia Light Roadster
    Lora is a longtime member of The Wheelmen.  Although she is a veteran highwheel century rider (completing 20 centuries in 13 different states), she is a novice at highwheel racing; this is her first criterium race.