Pedal power

Sunscreen, water and a lot of training are what it takes to compete in a bicycle race.

Sandy Weiss, 42, of St. Louis, said she has not competed in a race for quite a while, but that did not stop her from crossing the finish line first.

Weiss received first place in the women’s class four race in the second annual Otterville Road Race on Sunday.

“It is bittersweet. I am going to share my win with my teammates,” Weiss said.

She began road racing when she was 16. She typically rides about 200 miles a week.

“It’s a different type of training. We practice about 10 hours a week,” Weiss said.

Unlike triathlons or longer races, Weiss said people do not want just to finish; they want to win.

Races began at 9 a.m. with the professional one, two and three class riders making three laps around the course.

Some 121 cyclists came from all areas of Missouri to compete.

Molly Vetter-Smith, 28, of Columbia, competed in the Sedalia Historic District Criterium on Saturday and the Otterville Road Race.

“It’s awesome. This course is gorgeous, and it is a pretty ride,” Vetter-Smith said. “This is probably one of the best courses in the state.”

The 24.4-mile race ran north along Highway BB and onto Highway 135 and back east to Highway A. The route traversed Highway A south to Old Highway 50 back toward Otterville. A right turn sent riders to Boonville Street and back to the finish line.

Six heats in which cyclists were divided into classes based on skill levels took place.

Bradly Fletchall, coordinator for the event, said class one, two and three are the experienced, faster cyclists, and four and five class riders are newer cyclists.

Professional one, two and three riders raced 72 miles. Three and four class cyclists, 40 plus, 50 plus, women’s open and four and five class men, raced 48 miles. The women class four and junior class, raced 24 miles.

Curtis Collins, 15, of Brookline, took first place in the junior race.

“I’m excited, especially since this race is solo, that’s the best way to win a race,” Collins said.

Collins has  been racing for one year. He said he rides everyday, from two to four hours at a time.

Winners in each race received part of the $3,000 prize. Junior class cyclists winners received medals.

Kendell Manning, of St. Louis, was one of about 20 volunteers at the race.

She said next year she hopes the race will draw in more riders from the west side of Missouri.