Western Cycling Heads to the Desert

With only two conference races left in the RMCCC and Western State Cycling with a slim 500 point lead over School of Mines in the conference, a solid crew from Western headed to Grand Junction to race in the desert heat.  Or so they hoped.  Instead, racers were met with plummeting temperatures and snow on Saturday for the short track and dual slalom.  Still, the team rallied.

Erin O'Mara rode to a strong 2nd place in the women's B category while Angela Vitulli, Madi Semblanet, and Alexis Kelley raced in the incredibly fast women's A race in preparation for National Championships later this month in Angel Fire.

Cody Scott and Graham Ruhman represented in the Men's B race.  Cody got an impressive hole-shot but started to discover exactly how long 20 minutes of racing actually is.

Owen Tulip stepped it up and raced in the Men's A's along side Ben Jackson.

The Dual Slalom was held at The Ranch on a professionally build DS course that riders seemed to love.  Unfortunately, both Ansel Schimff and Caleb Woodworth got knocked out in early rounds of the Men's A's, but Cody Scott, who was planning on jetting to the Front Range as soon as racing was done, made it to the small final of Men's B's late in the day and finished an impressive 4th.

Madi Semblanet raced for the women's B's and finished 2nd and Max Matheny also raced, but I failed to get the results.

In the XC, Erin rode to another second place and continues to lead the conference for D2.

Jenn Drimmer Swift joined the fun in the Women's A's and rode strongly against a deep field.  Madi put her technical skills to good use and also rode a strong race.

Max and Graham represented Western in the C and B categories, being excellent sports to skip the team breakfast and race at the early hour of 8 am.  They were rewarded with pancakes when they finished.

Owen, Ben and Brae all lined up for the Men's A race and put their technical riding skills to good use on the chunky course.

The final conference race is in Durango next weekend and then the team's A riders will have a weekend off before loading up and heading to Angel Fire for Nationals.

WSC Mountain Bike Team hosts home race

Hosting a race in Gunnison in October is always risky business.  Fortunately for collegiate racers from around the state, Nature gave her blessings to the event and graced the four race (XC, ST, DH, and Air DH) event with sunny skies and mild temperatures.

Western State riders threw down in all the events throughout the weekend.  Highlights include the Women's B ST and XC where Angela Vitulli and Alexis Kelley lead the charge placing 2nd and 3rd in the ST and 3rd and 4th in the XC.  Madi Samblanet and Jenn Swift represented in the Women's A adding to the team's conference point tally.  Outstanding performances also came from Owen Tulip and Graham Ruhmann in the Men's B races with Tulip posting two 2nd place finishes, proving he's going to be a solid Omnium contender at Nationals later this month.  Brae Patten recovered from an ill-timed flat in the Men's A XC to finish a solid Top-10.

After racing on the newly opened flow track behind the WCS Campus on Saturday afternoon, gravity racers took to the Notch and Collarbone Alley on Sunday morning for more racing.  Colin Pickett put in the performance of the day with an impressive 2nd place and Tulip continued his string of fast races with a 6th in the Men's A.  The Men's B's saw total WSC domination with Cody Zelko, Travis Robl, and Spencer Plum sweeping the podium.

All the races were met with rave reviews from all with people telling organizer Ben Jackson to be sure to hold the race again next year because it was hands-down the best one on the RMCCC circuit.

Full results can be found here.

Racing continues in Grand Junction this weekend.

Hartman Rocks Trail Work

From Gunnison Trails:

Trail Work on Joshos Trail Thursday October 6th at 4pm

Gunnison Trails will be working on Joshos trail at Hartman Rocks beginning at 4pm this Thursday October 6th. We'll be shoring up and cleaning out drainage features and generally buffing out and winterizing this trail. Meet at the Joshos trailhead adjacent to Rattlesnake. 

Look for the silver Suburban or tan Explorer. Wear appropriate clothing for trail work including sturdy shoes, gloves and eye protection. Long sleeves and pants are recommended. Also bring water and additional clothing appropriate for the weather that day.

 

 

If you arrive late, sign in on the clipboard, grab a tool and head down Joshos trail and find us. We'll probably work until the cows come home or dark, whichever comes first. 

Crested Butte Classic

It was just above freezing on Saturday morning when a large group of riders gathered unofficially at the 4-Way Stop in Crested Butte to set off on the unofficial race called the Crested Butte Classic.  Covering three of the 'Classic' rides in the Butte, the Classic is an annual tradition for many.

This year, race organizer Dave Ochs changed the race up by changing the order of the loops completed.  First came Kebler Pass and the Dyke Trail, followed by the infamous Slate d'Huez/403/401 linkup, and then finishing on Strand and Deer Creek.  Between each loop, racers returned to the Brick Oven to check in and attempt to resist the temptation to call it a day and start indulging in beer and pizza early.

The unmarked, high-altitude course caters to locals and the locals did not disappoint.  Brian Smith of Alpine Ortho took the win against teammate Ethan Passant on the men's side and Bren, who has been mountain biking for only a year, took the win on the women's side.

Finishers and fans alike enjoyed fine beverages and food at the Brick Oven all afternoon and evening while watching racers roll in well after dark.  At the peak of aspen season, this is an event that serves up a hearty dose of beautiful riding both for those there to 'race' and those just there to finish.

Trail Work Day this Sunday

From Gunnison Trails:

CBMBA's Next Work day is Sunday October 2 on Doctors Park Trail. Meet at the bottom of the trail at the Northbank Campground at 9 am, ready to work with gloves, sturdy shoes, water and a snack. End of summer party for all volunteers at the Brick Oven afterward at 4 p.m. Beverages and pizza provided by the Brick Oven. Raffle, too.

Vapor Trail 125

New course record for Jonathan Davis under a full moon at VT 125 breaking the 14 hour mark. Strong rides by folks in Gunni valley. Aaron Huckstep finished 2nd, Dan Loftus 4th and Jarral Ryter took 8th. Eszter was the first female finisher with a new course record on her SS.

For a full write up go to Mountain Flyer.

Course overview:

The Vapor Trail showcases some of the best singletrack in the Ark Valley, Gunnison Valley, and Monarch Crest. Some notable sections are Colorado Trail to Chalk Cliffs, Canyon Creek, the famed Monarch Crest and the delightful Rainbow Trail.

Personally, it was an incredible ride with a full moon. I topped out Granite Peak well up in the race just shy of 13k. This was spectacular. There was clouds engulfing the summit while illuminated by the full moon. The cloud frosted the tundra grasses with its moisture as I could see lights approaching from below. Canyon Creek was a blast in the dark, though I did crash pretty hard once. These endurance events I have to remind myself to not "shred" for the mind is not in it's clearest state. I met Dave Wiens who was cookin pancakes and sausage at the snow blind campground. After this, I detonated pretty good with half the ride left to do. I ended up finishing with Eszter which helped the spirits to have my companion when I was physically and mentally beat to a pulp. This our third time around the Vapor, and hopefully someday I will be in good enough shape to really enjoy the Crest when I get to it.

Overall it's an incredible ride. Finishing is an accomplishment in itself. It's a really good family there in Absolute Bikes, Salida, they've got it right.

Cheers,

Chris

CTR: Playing Catch Up

Okay, so I've been completely neglecting this blog.  Guilty as charged.  But I have a good reason!  I swear it!  It's called the Colorado Trail race, 470 miles of unsupported racing on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango.  Lots of high altitude trail, lots of rocks, lots of suffering - perfect for residents of the Gunnison Valley.  Seven brave souls from the valley undertook the venture - Jarral Ryter, Becky Sears, Ethan Passant, Jefe B., Chris Miller, me (Eszter) and another from CeeBee who's name I'm completely forgetting right now.

It was an epic adventure written up in several places, so instead of re-writing the stories here, I'll direct you to our own words.

Jarral - Finished 4th in 5 days and 5 hours.
Chris - Finished in 5 days 18 hours
Eszter - Finished just behind Jarral in 5 days 5.5 hours

It was an epic adventure for all those who even started.  There really is no race quite like it.