Tucumcari native wins Wheels on Fire 100 cycling event

The number of cyclists participating in Saturday’s third annual Wheels on Fire 100 surged past the century mark, and a Rattler alum won the race in less than 4 1/2 hours.

John Frey, 59, a national-champion cyclist and Tucumcari native who lives in Albuquerque, finished the 100-mile loop from the Tucumcari Convention Center to San Jon, Grady and Ragland and back in 4 hours, 27 minutes and 13.41 seconds — the best time in the event’s young history. That was an average speed of 22.5 miles per hour.

Frey ran tightly bunched with a group of four other world-class cyclists — mostly Frey’s teammates from Red Rock Roasters in Albuquerque.

“I felt really good,” Frey said. “The roads were quiet, the police escort was super, and the rest areas were superb.”

Wheels on Fire 100 race director Brandon Goldston was happy to host high-quality cyclists to the event.

“We’re always honored they come to Tucumcari to finish out their season,” Goldston said. “They love the small-town feel, and with John, the hometown boy, winning, it was kind of cool.”

Judy Fleming, 54, of Lubbock, Texas, was the top women’s finisher in the 100-mile race in 4:51:53 — nearly two hours faster than the next women’s 100-miler.

A total of 107 participated in Saturday’s races — up from 89 last year and 59 in the inaugural event.

Wheels on Fire also offered 50- and 25-mile races to San Jon and back.

In the 50-mile race, Garcia Douglas, 35, of Santa Fe finished first in 2:35:20. The top women’s 50-mile finisher was Dai McWhorter, 46, of Amarillo.

In the 25-mile race, Deb Zurzolo, 63, of Clovis topped the field in 1:44:55 and was the top women’s finisher as well. The top men’s finisher was Greg Zurzolo, 56, of Clovis in 1:51:41.

When the races began at 8 a.m., skies were overcast with a slight mist, little wind and 49 degrees. By 11 a.m., the clouds had parted, and a stiff breeze began blowing out of the south. The tail wind — plus a downhill leg from the caprock on Highway 209 heading into Tucumcari — probably helped several 100-mile racers break the course record.

Sylvia Gonzales of Albuquerque, who was in the 50-mile race, didn’t care much for the wind, though.

“The morning part was great, but coming back the wind kicked my butt,” she said.

She said she was impressed with how the event was organized.

“Everyone was really helpful, and it was well-organized,” Gonzales said. “They had plenty of food and energy drinks at the rest stops.”

Yolanda Martinez of Tucumcari, another participant in the 50-mile race, was pleased because she shaved 20 minutes off her time from last year, finishing in 4:07.

“I’m pretty proud of myself,” she said. “If the wind hadn’t been so bad, I probably would have been back here in four hours.”

She said she’ll be back.

“The people who put this on are the most amazing people you could ever come across,” she said. “The way it all came together was outstanding.”

Frey said those sort of raves bode well for the future of Wheels on Fire 100.

“When they start these type of events, they grow slowly because the best advertising is word-of-mouth,” he said.