This is the first race I will be competing in when I return to the good ol’ USA. Check out their site, and if you are in the area, come out and race!

Rebecca Rusch and John “Fuzzy” Mylne to defend titles at Spa City 6 Hour.  USAC Ultra Endurance National Race Calendar Event.

February 27 – 28 at Hot Springs Mountain Bike Course

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Two of America’s top-rated riders — one male and one female — have signed up to appear at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Race Calendar event on February 27 – 28 at Cedar Glades Park.

John (Fuzzy) Mylne of Arcata, Calif., will ride in the Hot Springs event. Mylne rides for the Niner Cycling Team and last year set the Hot Springs Cedar Glades Parkmale course record of 80 miles in 6 hours and 20 minutes. At 35 years old, his resume includes a National Championship and many other top finishes.

Rebecca Rusch of Ketchum Ida., is returning to defend the course record she set in 2009 of 70 miles in 6 hours and 10 minutes.  Her resume includes three Solo 24 Hour World Championship titles.  She has ridden on multiple continents and won the prestigious Leadville 100.

“I am extremely excited to see these two exceptional riders return to Cedar Glades Park here in Hot Springs,” said Fred Phillips of DLT Event Management, the event director. “For 2010 we are part of the pre-eminent USA Cycling Ultra Endurance National Race Calendar.  We will be offering a $2,500 prize purse attracting professional athletes from the four corners of the United States. This event is great for age group racers as well.  We will be offering awards within the age groups on both the Male and Female sides. How often in sports do you see world champions and age groupers side by side on the starting line, I love this sport! .”

The course itself is contained within Cedar Glades Park that Garland County created seven years ago.

“The early-February ice storm that we just had has dropped several trees and many limbs on the course,” Phillips said. “One of Hot Springs’ main volunteer groups, Teen Challenge of Arkansas, is assisting park workers in clearing the debris and preparing the trail for the race.  These Teen Challenge volunteers are a blessing to be associated with.”

Last year’s events attracted 220 competitors and more than 300 spectators attending from 14 states, according to Phillips.

“I expect this year to increase in participation and attract spectators from even more states,” Phillips said. “We received very favorable feedback from those who attended last year and also received excellent post-event publicity through several of the top pro riders who participated.  They, in turn, talked about the excellence of the location, venue and over-all quality of the event via their Internet blogs and newsletters.  Last year’s over-all winner, John Mylne, was featured in a cycling magazine interview, which contained extremely flattering comments about Hot Springs and the Cedar Glades Park courses.”

For entry information, visit the DLT website at www.dltmultisport.com/Spa_City_MTB/index.htm.

The racers in the endurance division will compete on a 10-mile mountain bike track and will work to complete the most number of laps in six hours. The race will have categories for individual riders as well as two- or three-person teams.  Additionally, those competing in the age group solo divisions will be awarded three-deep on gender and age brackets.  Team divisions in male, female and co-ed will also be awarded three- deep.