By Marilyn Miller
Devin Martin started biking again two years ago. Originally from western Pennsylvania (does Butler sound familiar?), he loved mountain biking. But he took a 20-year break for marriage, kids, and life.
Now enjoying biking in the green hills of Webster Parish, Louisiana, he has fallen back in love with the sport.
“Minden is the gravel bike riding capital of north Louisiana,” Martin, who is president of Security Pro at 720 Lewisville Road, said. “It’s a new, growing segment of bike riding. People are attracted to it because you are out in nature, and away from traffic; and it can be more social, riding and talking.”
Martin’s latest brainchild is the first annual KISATCHIE CRUSHER Gravel Bike Race & Run, which will take place on Saturday, Sept.6 at Caney Lakes, north of Minden, where there are over 25 miles of gravel roads.
It is actually two separate activities – gravel bike races at distances of 15, 30 and 60 miles; and runs (or walks) at distances of 5K and 10K (on paved roadways). Martin, who laid out the gravel raceways, organized the event to promote tourism in Minden, to raise money to care for and build new gravel roads, and to start a Youth Mountain Bike Team.
“Minden is so blessed to have Caney Lakes and the Kisatchie Forest so close,” Martin said. “I’m just doing my best to promote our beautiful area.”
Of the 70 people who are already registered for the CRUSHER, three out of four are from out of town, some from as far away as California. “We need about 20 to 30 volunteers to pull off this first-time event with excellence,” Martin said. “We already have people registered from over five hours away, so it’s gonna be a great way to show off our community!”
Entry fees range from $30 to $60, with race times starting generally at 8 a.m. For more information on the “gravel & run,” just enter “kisatchie crusher” in your search bar, or go to Facebook and enter “Bike Minden” or “Kisatchie Crusher.”
Martin said that business sponsorships are still available. Title sponsors are $3,000 (two available), Gold Sponsors, $1,500 (five available), Silver Sponsors, $500 (10 available); and Bronze Sponsors, $100 (20 available). Registration is generally online at one of the race sites.
Non-business sponsors are “Bike Minden,” Webster Parish Tourism, and the City of Minden, Mayor Nick Cox and the Minden City Council.
“Please join us for the 1st Annual Kisatchie Crusher Gravel Bike Race on Saturday, Sept. 6,” Martin said. “Get ready to tackle thrilling courses and enjoy the journey while contributing to a great cause!”
“We hope to make this an annual event, and we encourage non-participants to come out to Caney Lakes to support their favorite riders or runners.”