Cyclists Descend on Saucon Valley for Race

More than 200 cyclists descended on Lower Saucon Township's Oct. 8, for the second annual Town Hall Cyclocross Race organized by Bethlehem's Lamprey Systems Cycling team, which was sponsored by St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network.

This year's race benefited both  and HCM Foundation, both of which support cancer patients, survivors and families.

According to organizer Chris Garges, "the event raised $1,200 for local charities with nearly $650 raised for Saucon Valley Relay for Life and $550 raised for the HCM Foundation, which was founded by an Emmaus graduate who lost his father to cancer at a young age."

Garges, who is part of the 25-member Lamprey Systems team, is Zoning Officer for Lower Saucon Township.

The Lower Saucon event was the first race of the Pennsylvania Cyclocross Series, he explained, and drew riders from the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

The largest field this year was the entry-level Men's C (Category 4) race, which had 75 entries.

"This year's men's elite race was won by Bobby Lea, a 2008 Olympian who donated his $75 prize money to Saucon Valley Relay for Life," Garges said.

The women's elite race was won by Selene Yeager, of Emmaus.

Yeager writes for Bicycling magazine and is known as "The Fit Chick," Garges noted.

For more information about this year's race, as well as photos, visit www.townhallcross.com or the event's Facebook page.