Braeden Schimmel of Davis loves his mountain bike.

When he’s not riding, which he does daily, he’s watching mountain biking DVDs. So when his dad, Mick, found information on the Prairie City Race Series on-line, the family decided to come out.

The Schimmels fought the traffic on Wednesday as they arrived at the Prairie City Off-Highway Vehicle Park in just less than an hour. Though it was the final race of the spring series, it was Braden’s first and he was pumped.

“He was excited about it when we told him we were going,” Mick said. “He watches mountain bike DVDs and he’s pretty into it.”

Because most of the kids in the 9-and-under division were older than Braeden, 6, his mom said he planned to follow the herd around the track, guessing he would be intimidated while riding alongside of older and bigger kids. When his first competitive race was over, Braeden was psyched, despite falling off his bike after crossing the finish line because of overcrowding.

“There was a lot of track and a lot of jumps,” Braeden said. “It was good. I want to come back.”

Braeden was one of about 400 riders to compete on Wednesday, the final race of the spring series which began in April. Riders from 6 years old and up come weekly to participate in the series, which began in 1995. Riders from Folsom and El Dorado Hills, as well as riders from Granite Bay, Rancho Cordova, Davis, Placerville and many other surrounding areas competed.

With this being the final race of the season, the series held a costume contest before the racing began. Based on the creative costume ideas and the number of people who participated, the contest was taken pretty seriously. Danny Cronk, a 5-year-old from Placerville, won the kids contest as he and his bike were decked out in a Batman theme.

“He wanted to be Batman and wear his Halloween costume,” mom Paula Jordan said. “His dad, big Dan, put the wings and jets on his bike and he just took off.”

While Cronk was thrilled to win the costume contest, he also loves the racing.

“Danny just loves racing,” Jordan said. “This is his eighth race and he’s gotten faster every time.”

Danny said he enjoyed being Batman and likes the racing and being with his friends.

Another first-time participant, 6-year-old Grace Beseler of Granite Bay, was excited to be there with her dad, David.

“I like going fast, getting dirty and showing the boys I can do it,” Grace said.

Jarod Mica of Rancho Cordova won the 9-and-under boys’ race. He’s a regular at the track and took his win in stride.

“I won last week too,” Jarod said. “I like racing.”

The Prairie City Race Series will start up its fall schedule on August 19 and it will end on Sept. 16. For more information visit www.racemtb.com.