First Ever Junior Tour of Anchorage Bike Race

While they may be young, the racers were prepared and already learning the rules of the road.

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By Kirsten Swann

Story Created: Aug 14, 2011 at 5:47 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2011 at 5:47 PM AKDT

Dozens of local cyclists hit the road Sunday morning for the final day of the Tour of Anchorage bike race, but it was also a big day for 7-year-old Jackson Parrish.

“I’ve never done a bike race,” Jackson said.

Jackson competed in the first annual junior Tour of Anchorage, where bikers age 6-12 raced a 1.6-mile loop around Martin Luther King Blvd.

“If we have sprints at the end, I'm going to go at full speed,” Jackson said before the race.

While they may be young, the racers were prepared and already learning the rules of the road.

“I’ve got my shirt, and some shorts, gloves which are pretty good, I like them,” Jackson said. “And my bib is 331.”

Seven-year-old competitor Abby Novak also had some race-day tips: “If you're going flat, I would change to a harder gear so you can work harder, and then you can go longer, and on hills I switch to an easier gear,” Abby said.

So despite a few hills, bumps and bruises, it was all about crossing the finish line, because everyone was a winner.

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