MARQUETTE -- For the 12th time, mountain bikers from around the country converged on the Upper Peninsula Saturday (8/13) morning.  It began as always in Negaunee in front of Lakeview Elementary for the 28-mile Soft Rock ride.

The 48-mile Hard Rock began on Iron Street in Negaunee almost an hour later, as the more experienced riders saddled up through the streets.

From there it was on to Ishpeming before going north of Deer Lake, then heading just south of the Dead River Basin.  The home stretch came into Marquette along Lake Superior before finishing at Lakeview Arena.

Once again, veteran riders enjoyed the race but said the course really threw them for a loop this year.

"It was really weird; it was really dry at the start," said Women's Hard Rock champion Sarah Kylander-Johnson.  "The dustiest I've ever seen the start. My eyes hurt from all the dust and I couldn't see, but then it was really wet for a long stretch and then it was dryer again at the end.  It was very interesting, but it was really, it was a really fun course--very fast, really sandy, as usual.  Lot of crashes out there, probably the most I've ever seen."

Kylander-Johnson won the Women's Hard Rock in 2:40:52 seconds.  It was her fourth Women's Hard Rock title.  Brian Matter of Sheboygan, Wisconsin repeated as Men's champ in just over 2 hours 25 minutes.

In the Men's Soft Rock, it was Evan Hartig Dubuque, 1:23:33.  Marquette's Kyle Sarisin was second and Ishpeming's Kenny Peterson was third.

Women's Soft Rock, Andrea Matter of Sheboygan, Wisconsin won in 1:33:38.  Ishpeming's Maryann Farley was five minutes behind in third.

For a complete list of results click here