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By James Ensor
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Rain and recently cut grass filled the nostrils as one entered Adams Farm in Walpole this weekend to attend the Boston Rebellion US Cup. Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31, saw a host of professional mountain bikers, as well as many amateur riders, descend upon the large Walpole farm to compete in one of the largest mountain biking cups in North America.
The mood was festive. Classic rock was playing in the background while races went off and winners were announced on a rolling basis. Competitors came from all over the world including Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. An Olympic athlete named Kateřina Nash from the Czech Republic - who will be competing in Rio shortly - was also among the competitors. Of course, the event also featured top North American riders as well as many local legends and enthusiasts of all ages.
Marty Allen and Pete McCloud teamed up to promote and put together the event, and the mountain bikers walking and riding around all looked appreciative. Young families mingled with professional riders and the vendors in the expo. When results were announced, applause was always followed by a genuine “Good job!” and handshake between athletes atop the podium.
“In terms of total numbers, we’re looking at a few thousand athletes here this weekend,” said Mr. Allen. “The international race track is 4 miles long, and the amateur track is actually 7 miles due to the different standards of the race. The governing body keeps the international track shorter and they do numerous laps.”
Standing in the expo beer garden, members of the audience could watch the bikers race past, competing in events that ranged from the US Cup Elite/Pro races to the free kids race that took place on Sunday. Spectators were not confined to the central area though; they were free to view the race at any vantage point they could find along the course in Adams Farm.
Vendors in the expo came from around the United States as well as overseas. Their tents proved useful over the course of the drizzly weekend, and their sponsorship made the whole event possible.
“Overall this weekend was a blast,” concluded Marty Allen “Adams Farm was great.”
