Horse joins bike race in Portland and gallops to the lead

Portland, OR – In an unexpected turn of events during the annual Portland Countryside Bike Race, a horse named Thunderbolt became the star of the day. As 200 cyclists sped down a picturesque country road, Thunderbolt, who was grazing peacefully in his field, couldn’t resist the thrill of the race.

Witnesses say that as the peloton approached, Thunderbolt’s ears perked up, and his eyes widened with excitement. As the swarm of cyclists neared, the spirited horse made a surprising leap over the fence and joined the racers on the road.

“It was absolutely astonishing! One moment we were cheering for the riders, and the next, there’s this majestic horse galloping alongside them,” said Emma Thompson, a local resident who had come to watch the race.

The cyclists, taken aback by their new competitor, tried to maintain their pace, but Thunderbolt was not to be outdone. With powerful strides and a mane flowing in the wind, he surged ahead, taking the lead and leaving the cyclists in his wake.

Race organizers were initially concerned about the safety of the participants and the unexpected entrant. However, Thunderbolt seemed to know exactly what he was doing. He followed the race route with precision, even navigating the water stations with ease.

“It was like he had trained for this his entire life,” remarked cyclist Marco Garcia. “I’ve raced against many competitors, but never a horse. It was both humbling and exhilarating.”

As Thunderbolt approached the finish line, a crowd of spectators had gathered, their cheers reaching a deafening crescendo. The horse crossed the line with a flourish, having unofficially “won” the race.

Race officials, while amused and impressed, decided not to award Thunderbolt the official first place, given the unique circumstances. However, they did present him with a special “Horse of the Race” ribbon, which now proudly hangs on the fence of his field.

Thunderbolt’s owner, Lydia Mitchell, said, “He’s always been an energetic and curious horse, but I never imagined he’d do something like this. I guess he just wanted to be part of the excitement.”

The Portland Countryside Bike Race will surely go down in history as one of the most memorable races ever, all thanks to a horse with a passion for speed and a love for the open road.