New Record in Smethport’s Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller A humid, misty Saturday morning in the borough grudgingly gave way to bright sunshine by noon to usher in the start of the annual Wheel Around the Hub cycling races in Smethport. This year’s event drew 101 participants from Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. Dry pavement, a slight breeze, and a temperature that climbed to 78 degrees combined to produce ideal conditions for…

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Pittsburgh’s Jacob Yundt and John Heffner Dominate Wheel Around the Hub Race

Jacon Yundt (left) and John Heffner (right)

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Under an overcast sky with intermittent rain and temperatures in the mid-60s, 81 participants were drawn to this year’s Wheel Around the Hub cycling races, testing their mettle on the 53-mile, 15-mile and 7-mile courses. Jacob Yundt (left) and John Heffner (right), representing Team GPOA in Pittsburgh, led the 53-mile race most of the way. Yundt won 1st Place with a time of…

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Under Threat of Rain, Exciting Finish for Wheel Around the Hub

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Smethport’s annual Wheel Around the Hub cycling races drew 60 participants Saturday under threat of rain. Although the race started at a fast pace on the Borough’s new road surface, lingering humidity from morning rain took its toll as the 53-mile race wore on. View the race day album by Les Jordan Jr. Benjamin Fogle, representing the Spokes-N-Skis / Altoona Bicycle Club, won…

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Former Smethport Resident Eric Lundgren Wins Cycling Race

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller An overcast sky and the threat of rain didn’t stop 70 cyclists from competing in this year’s Wheel Around the Hub races in Smethport. Thirty-eight male and female cyclists participated in the 53-mile race for gold watches, plus cash prizes for best lap times. With wet pavement, conditions were not ideal for a record-breaking pace. With a time of 2:15:57.38, first-place winner Eric…

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Record Sponsorship Donation to Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller David Buckler, president and owner of Buckler Transport in Roulette, PA, gave a record donation of $2,000 to the 2014 Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races, proceeds of which benefit the Smethport Fire Department. Buckler presented the check to Smethport Mayor and SFD Captain Wayne Foltz, Fire Chief Steve Field, and wheel race organizer Ross Porter. Buckler Transport operates a fleet of 83…

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Darion Gregory Picks Up 1st Place Wheel Race Medallion

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller This year’s Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races, held on September 14th, featured a new Junior Mountain Bike Class for cyclists aged 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17, who participated in the one-lap 7.5-mile race. Following the event, awards were presented during an outdoor barbeque celebration hosted by the Smethport Fire Department. Everything went smoothly, except that one 1st Place medallion for the 12-13 age…

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Records Broken at Smethport Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Saturday started ominously with the threat of rain, but by race time at 12:00 noon, dark clouds gave way to sunshine and a comfortable 60-degree temperature. The speed of the weather change seemed to set the stage for the 53-mile circuit, where speed records were shattered by both the men and women. Representing the NoTubes Race Team, 32-year-old Jeremy Wickham of Corning, New…

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Medallion Awarded to First Place Finisher in September’s Cycling Races

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller At an informal gathering of Wheel Around the Hub racing officials Saturday, Tim Vecellio of Lewis Run was presented with a 1st Place medallion for winning the men’s 15-mile Wheel Around the Hub cycling race in the 40-49 age group. The delayed award was due to Tim, 48, being placed in the wrong age group when he registered the day of the event….

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Wheel Around the Hub Finishes as Huge Success

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Dry roads, a slight breeze and mid-60s temperatures combined to provide ideal conditions for the 94 cyclists who participated in Smethport’s Wheel Around the Hub races Saturday. Although no records were broken this year, spectators were treated to an exciting finish as a cluster of five cyclists in the 53-mile men’s class broke from the pack in the last half mile of the…

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Artwork to be Auctioned at Cycling Event

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller After Saturday’s “Wheel Around the Hub” cycling races, there will be a Pig Roast at the Smethport Fire Hall. The post-race event is open to the public at no charge. Dinner tickets are $7.00. Racers eat free! Proceeds for the Pig Roast (and the race itself) benefit the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department. Juried PA Wilds Artist Julie Mader has again donated an original…

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