The Independent Fabrication MTB team once again was out in numbers (smaller then usual) for the Wilderness 101. A combination of injuries and the economic downturn had trimmed the ranks of the IF team to just 3 participants. Jeff Whittingham in open, Mike Ramponi in singlespeed and Chris Wurster in masters. Harlan Price, nursing a broken wrist, provided moral support to the rest of the team. Weather would play a factor in the race with rain continuing right up to the night before the start and the heat and humidity that had been lacking this summer arriving just in time for the start of the race ensuring maximum suffering over the course of the day.
With 325 riders stepping up to the starting line it was Mike Ramponi taking top IF honors finishing 7th in singlespeed and 31st overall. Jeff Whittingham followed in 64th and Chris Wurster crossed the line 7th in masters and 138th overall, completing his 7th straight W101. We'll all be rooting for Harlan at the worlds and will look to step up the results at the Shenandoah 100 over the Labor day weekend.