YORK -- Seventeen miles into the race and halfway into the climb of his life, Keith Foster jumped back on his mountain bike, hoping his new chain would stand up to the 21 miles standing between him and a cold beer at the York Bar.

Just past noon, Foster would get that beer, and a warm York burger to boot.

"It's just an old chain," he scoffed, pedaling up the switchbacks to the aid station at Overlook. "I got a new bike, but I decided to ride the old one instead."

Aside from a few mechanical mishaps -- broken chains and flat tires mostly -- the York 38 Special went off without a hitch Saturday under blue skies and mild temperatures.

A few finely tuned riders, like Jim Rice of Kalispell and Debra Morrell of Helena -- the fastest times among men and women -- zipped through the course, making it look easy.

The 3,000-foot climb from York to Indian Flats was a test of endurance for others, proving that one should consider training, at least a little, before embarking on a 38-mile ride through rugged terrain.

"It's all downhill from here," yelled one man, sarcasm thick in his voice. He stood at the top of the first climb with a friend, who had a flat tire just three miles into the ride.

The downtrodden had nothing to fear. Volunteers, including Mike Walker, manager of Big Sky Cyclery, roamed the course, helping the unfortunate make repairs and get back on track. Just last week, those same volunteers had their eyes on the Meriwether fire and were seeking alternative routes just in case the blaze flared up.

But the weather cooled and the fire died down. The backside of the burn came into view near Nelson. The smoke was light, though the campfire fragrance still rode the occasional puff of wind.

The ride, now in its fourth year, skirts the edge of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. It follows the bank of Beaver Creek and crosses the trailhead to Refrigerator Canyon before reaching the second aid station at Martiens about 15 miles into the race.

There, treats included homemade cookies, brownies and zucchini bread. Half-cut bananas offered a quick dose of potassium. Air for low tires and Gatorade for the thirsty were also available.

Those who've done the ride before understand the urge to linger here in the shade, eating cookies and sipping water. The next eight miles prove the toughest of the race, involving a 2,000-foot climb to Indian Flats, which seemed impossibly far just by the sound of it.

One must first reach the Overlook aid station three miles up the road. Getting there is a haul up switchbacks that never seem to end.

Then there's the sign that says "Not the top." The bold words are discouraging for those hoping the summit was closer than it was.

"The top?" says one station volunteer when another rider asks. "That's five miles up the road -- that way."

She points to Hogback Mountain, elevation 7,813 feet. The high point of the course is only 6,800 feet, but that's still 1,000 feet above the pointing lady. It's still 1,000 feet of climbing.

The switchbacks move higher, pushing toward Hogback Mountain. Off in the trees, free-range cattle moan and snort. The smell of hot pine needles is thick on the air. The day is growing warm and the road keeps rising.

Jim Rice of Kalispell put in the fastest time, completing the circuit in 2 hours and 46 minutes. It was the fourth time he's ridden the course and he loves it more each year.

"It has everything," he said after the ride, still full of energy. "You've got the dirt road, the long descents and the single track. There aren't many races that offer all that in one event."

Rice didn't ride alone, though he may have finished that way. Nor did he join the ride on a lark. He and his wife, Kelly Sloan, who finished third among women, train together throughout the year. Their outings include rides up Big Mountain or Going to the Sun Road, wherever their fancy takes them.

"I train for this race all year," Rice said. "We've done the 24 hours at Moab and many other races. But this is the best ride I've done."

"I have a little saying during the ride -- 'That stupid hill,' " adds Sloan with a grin. "I get to say that a lot. It's a challenge. But I always try to do better than last year's time."

Faster riders had time to cool before the field came across the finish line, where a small throng waited, cheering the riders in.

"It was fun," said Kayleen Vibel, a triathlete from Kalispell who finished second among women with a time of three hours and 45 minutes. "I wanted to ride two laps."

Some did just that, completing the "Spirit of 76" cyclecross challenge in the amount of time it took others to ride the "38 Special" once. One team of four completed the 76-mile circuit in five hours and 58 minutes, repairing seven shredded tires in the process.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com.