Littlefield Wins Porky Gulch Classic
Pinkham Notch, NH—A beautiful weekend was the setting for exciting bike racing at the Porky Gulch Classic, hosted by Great Glen Trails. Returning to the race after finishing in fourth place in 2008, Ryan Littlefield of Scarborough, ME was the overall winner claiming the title of New England’s Best All Around Cyclist. Danielle Ruane of Webster, NH was named champion for the women.
The Porky Gulch Classic is a true test of cycling ability with three distinct stages held over two days. Cyclists are awarded points based on their finish in each stage, and the rider with the most points is declared the winner. This year cyclists competed in eight categories: Elite Men, Elite Women, Intermediate Men, Intermediate Junior Men, Intermediate Women, Beginner Men, Beginner Women and Beginner Junior Women.
The first stage, The Toughest Two—a two-mile hillclimb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, was almost shortened to the Toughest One and a Quarter due to icing on the Auto Road. Luckily, temperatures rose just enough before start time to allow racers to test themselves on the full two-mile distance. Thom Coupe of Plymouth, NH racing in the Elite Category led all racers in 12:15 for the victory by more than two minutes. Littlefield and Frank Marowitz from Manchester, NH tied for second place in the Elite Category in 14:58. The top two intermediate racers, Colm McMahon of Brookline, MA and Larry Reed actually bested the second and third place elites with times of 14:53 and 14:57, respectively. The top women’s time also came from the Intermediate Category as Tamela Lynch of Littleton, NH completed the climb in 17:33.
Ice was still on the minds of the racers as the event moved to Story Land on Saturday afternoon. Despite bright sunshine, a few icy patches lingered in the shade as the racers navigated the second state of the race, the Story Land Criterium—a twisty, turny, non-traditional criterium through the popular amusement park. Once again, Coupe led the way completing 13 laps in 43:39. Littlefield took second with 13 laps in 44:29 with Craig Harrison of Bartlett, NH rounding out the top three just 6 seconds behind Littlefield. Racing with the Elite Men, Ruane, the only Elite Woman, completed 12 laps in 44:12.
Warmer temperatures, abundant sunshine and a surprise greeted racers on Sunday morning at the Rockpile Rampage at Great Glen Trails. Despite winning the first two stages, Coupe was unable to race on Sunday leaving the Elite Men’s field wide open. Even with the unpredictable nature of cyclocross, a bike racing discipline that combines elements of mountain biking, road cycling and cross country running, Littlefield quickly slammed the door. After riding the first lap with the pack, Littlefield broke away to win easily with 8 laps in 43:26. Kirk Fongemie of Portland, ME was nearly a minute back in 44:23 with Marowitz just behind him in 44:52. Once again, Ruane raced with the men completing 7 laps in 45:08. Fourteen year-old, Sean Doherty of Center Conway, NH, the only racer in the Intermediate Junior Male Category, raced with the Intermediate Men and actually won that race. It was a fitting result for the youngster who was also racing in top of the Intermediate Men’s field in the Story Land Criterium until a broken chain cost him a number of places.
Littlefield’s victory in the Rockpile Rampage propelled him to the overall Porky Gulch Classic victory with 170 points. Despite a blown tire in the Story Land Criterium, which cost him a number of places and precious points, Marowitz finished second with a total of 150 points. Fongemie’s second place in the final stage allowed him to leapfrog a number of other riders to take third with 143 points. Racing alone, Ruane compiled 180 points in her win.
Other Category Winners:
Intermediate Men: Colm McMahon, Brookline, MA
Intermediate Women: Paula Brunetto, West Cornwall, CT (2008 Beginner Women Champion)
Intermediate Junior Men: Sean Doherty, Center Conway, NH (2008 Intermediate Junior Men Champion.)
Beginner Men: Aaron Bitters, Brooklyn, NY
Beginner Women: Michelle Bowie, Augusta, ME
Beginner Junior Women: Lizzy Duffy, Jackson, NH