Mountain Biking Discussions - Pikes Peak Sports2024-03-28T20:46:25Zhttp://pikespeaksports.us/group/mountainbiking/forum?groupUrl=mountainbiking&feed=yes&xn_auth=noPikes Peak Region's top riders will battle for big cash in US Cup Pro Seriestag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-26:5021591:Topic:5700572014-06-26T18:50:30.033ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<div class="row-fluid" id="storyText"><p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656431418?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656431418?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> Some of the most skilled mountain bikers in the world will descend upon Colorado Springs on Saturday, June 28, to compete in the final race of the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group. Racing will take place at Pulpit Rock Open Space and will feature cross-country mountain bike…</span></p>
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<div id="storyText" class="row-fluid"><p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656431418?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656431418?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a>Some of the most skilled mountain bikers in the world will descend upon Colorado Springs on Saturday, June 28, to compete in the final race of the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group. Racing will take place at Pulpit Rock Open Space and will feature cross-country mountain bike races for elite men and elite women. The weekend will also feature Colorado State Championship races on both Saturday and Sunday.</span></p>
<p>New in 2014, the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series Presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group is a collection of four events featuring some of the top cross-country mountain bike races in the country. In addition to the UCI-mandated $31,000 prize purse, both USA Cycling and Sho-Air Cycling Group are contributing a combined $50,000 in prize money for the top 15 overall, with equal pay going to men and women. The total $81,000 prize purse makes the US Cup the highest paying cross-country race series in the world.</p>
<p>Colorado Springs-area pros Russell Finsterwald, Kalan Beisel, Fernando Riveros Paez, Cam Chambers and Katie Compton will ride to defend their home turf against an extremely talented field.</p>
<p>The Czech Republic's Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) and Canadian Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing) are atop their respective standings heading into Colorado Springs. Previous races in the US Cup Pro Series were held in March in Texas and California. See the complete US Cup Pro Series schedule.</p>
<p>Nash, the winner of the first two races in the series, leads the women's standings with 107 points, but Canadian Catherine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) trails Nash by only 13 points with her total of 94. Fellow Canadian Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing) holds on to third place with 82 points and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) is in fourth place with 70 points. The top five of the elite women is rounded out by Evelyn Dong (Salt Lake City, Utah/Backcountry.com) with 61 points on the season.</p>
<p>The top four of the US Cup Pro Series men's standings after three of four races are Kabush with 94 points, Olympian Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing) with 79, Max Plaxton (CAN/Cannondale Factory Team) with 69, and Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (ESP/Trek Factory Racing) with 57. 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marco Aurelio Fontana (ITA/Cannondale Factory Racing) and Manuel Fumic (GER/Cannondale Factory Racing) are tied for fifth place with 53 points apiece.</p>
<p>Complete US Cup Pro Series standings.</p>
<p>Racing begins at 8 a.m. both days with the pro women toeing the line at noon on June 28 and the pro men starting at 2:30 p.m. the same day. Admission is free and the spectator-friendly course is located on the north side of Colorado Springs across the street from the University Village Shopping Center, boasting an array of shops and restaurants.</p>
<p>USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group Standings after 3 of 4 races:</p>
<p>Men<br/>1. Geoff Kabush (CAN/Scott-3Rox Racing) — 94<br/>2. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing) — 79<br/>3. Max Plaxton (CAN/Cannondale Factory Team) — 69<br/>4. Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (ESP/Trek Factory Racing) — 57<br/>5. Marco Aurelio Fontana (ITA/Cannondale Factory Racing) — 53<br/>5. Manuel Fumic (GER/Cannondale Factory Racing) — 53</p>
<p>Women<br/>1. Katerina Nash (CZE/Luna Pro Team) — 107<br/>2. Catherine Pendrel (CAN/Luna Pro Team) — 94<br/>3. Emily Batty (CAN/Trek Factory Racing) — 82<br/>4. Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) — 70<br/>5. Evelyn Dong (Salt Lake City, Utah/Backcountry.com) — 61</p>
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<hr/><div id="prev_next_page" class="clearfix"><div class="span7">Schedule</div>
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<p>Friday, June 27th<br/>2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Registration and Packet Pick-up <br/>2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Cross Country Course open for pre-riding <br/>5:30 pm Pro Rider meeting at USA Cycling <br/> <br/>Saturday, June 28th<br/>7:00 am – 4:00 pm Registration and Packet Pick-up <br/> 7:00 am – 8:00 am Cross Country Course open for pre-riding <br/>8:00 am Jr Cross Country Race (see Start List for Categories) <br/>9:00 am Final Pro Women packet Pick-up <br/>9:30 am Jr Cat 2/3 Cross Country Race <br/>(see Start List for Categories) <br/>11:00 am – 11:30 am Course open for Pro training <br/>11:45 am Pro Women Staging <br/>12:00 pm Pro Women Cross Country Race <br/>12:30 pm Final Pro Men packet Pick-up <br/>2:00 pm Pro Women Podium <br/>2:15 pm Pro Men Staging <br/>2:30 pm Pro Men Cross Country Race <br/>4:30 pm Pro Men Podium <br/> <br/>Sunday, June 29th<br/>7:00 am – 1:00 pm Registration and Packet Pick-up <br/>8:00 am Cat 2/3 Men Cross Country Race <br/>10:30 am Cat 1 / Single Speed / Cat 1 Jr / Cat 2 / Cat 3 Women Race <br/>1:00 pm Cat 1 / Single Speed / Cat 1 Jr Men Race <br/>3:30 pm Short Track Course open for training <br/>4:00 pm Pro Women STXC <br/>4:45 pm Pro Men STXC</p> Ascent Cycling Series No. 1 Cat 2/3 resultstag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-07:5021591:Topic:5634492014-06-07T00:21:12.341ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><span>Women Cat 2</span><br></br><span>1. 163 Andrea Bruder</span><br></br><span>2. 167 Sarah Walter</span><br></br><span>3. 170 Julie McCafferty</span><br></br><span>4. 164 Leah Zeringue</span><br></br><span>5. 168 Missy Ross</span><br></br><span>6. 161 Heidi Gurov</span><br></br><span>7. 162 Emily Palmer</span><br></br><span>8. 165 Diane Gillian</span><br></br><span>9. 169 Laurien Moes</span><br></br><span>DNF 171 Vivian McDuffie</span><br></br><br></br><span>Men Cat 2 30-39</span><br></br><span>1. 118 Andy Dukes</span><br></br><span>2. 112…</span></p>
<p><span>Women Cat 2</span><br/><span>1. 163 Andrea Bruder</span><br/><span>2. 167 Sarah Walter</span><br/><span>3. 170 Julie McCafferty</span><br/><span>4. 164 Leah Zeringue</span><br/><span>5. 168 Missy Ross</span><br/><span>6. 161 Heidi Gurov</span><br/><span>7. 162 Emily Palmer</span><br/><span>8. 165 Diane Gillian</span><br/><span>9. 169 Laurien Moes</span><br/><span>DNF 171 Vivian McDuffie</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 2 30-39</span><br/><span>1. 118 Andy Dukes</span><br/><span>2. 112 Nathan McCrary</span><br/><span>3. 117 Michael Lee</span><br/><span>4. 116 Justin Grow</span><br/><span>5. 115 Craig O'Boyle</span><br/><span>6. 113 Ryan Miller</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 3 30-39</span><br/><span>1. 180 Alfredo Vatela</span><br/><span>2. 177 Mark Kyle</span><br/><span>3. 179 Jason Burbuch</span><br/><span>4. 178 Collin Rosenbaum</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 2 50+</span><br/><span>1. 146 Andrew Wacker</span><br/><span>2. 143 Patrick Taylor</span><br/><span>3. 145 Tom Vinson</span><br/><span>4. 142 Kevin Daugherty</span><br/><span>5. 147 Trent Hovengg</span><br/><span>DNF 144 Shawn Finley</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 3 50+</span><br/><span>1. 287 Cory Chance</span><br/><span>2. 288 Craig Brooks</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 2 40-49</span><br/><span>1. 138 Scott Eckstrom</span><br/><span>2. 131 Rich Panozzo</span><br/><span>3. 141 Ken Ulrich</span><br/><span>4. 133 Edward Show</span><br/><span>5. 132 Tim Dorpinghaus</span><br/><span>6. 134 Alan Marks</span><br/><span>7. 137 Lane Sherman</span><br/><span>8. 135 Eric Lawrence</span><br/><span>9. 136 William Houth</span><br/><span>DNF 139 David Huddleston</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 3 40-49</span><br/><span>1. 279 Lester Busche</span><br/><span>2. 275 Kelby Pepper</span><br/><span>3. 276 Robert Atkins</span><br/><span>4. 277 John Salvat</span><br/><span>5. 271 Marty Krehow</span><br/><span>6. 272 Matthew Hall</span><br/><span>7. 278 Kent Nelsestuen</span><br/><span>8. 273 Don Leclerc</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 2 19-29</span><br/><span>1. 104 Connor Houtchens</span><br/><span>2. 101 Ian Horgan</span><br/><span>3. 114 Mike Bohlen</span><br/><span>4. 102 Andy Bennett</span><br/><span>5. 103 Matt Hondorf</span><br/><br/><span>Men Cat 3 19-29</span><br/><span>1. 262 Garrett Benell</span><br/><span>2. 259 Hunter Hoover</span><br/><span>3. 261 Connor McBride</span><br/><span>4. 260 David WIlson</span><br/><br/><span>Women Single Speed</span><br/><span>1. 151 Leigh Bowe</span><br/><span>2. 150 Amelia Taylor</span><br/><br/><span>Clydesdale</span><br/><span>1. 156 Rob Lucas</span></p> Colorado Springs will host finale in new Sho-Air Cycling pro mountain bike seriestag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-12-20:5021591:Topic:5261842013-12-20T16:30:38.164ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420789?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420789?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sho-air-cycling-group-announces-new-world-class-mountain-bike-race-series" target="_blank">From Cycling News</a></p>
<p class="strapline"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Sho-Air Cycling Group announced on Friday a new, world-class cross country mountain bike series in partnership with USA Cycling. The four-race series, which will be…</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420789?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656420789?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sho-air-cycling-group-announces-new-world-class-mountain-bike-race-series" target="_blank">From Cycling News</a></p>
<p class="strapline"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Sho-Air Cycling Group announced on Friday a new, world-class cross country mountain bike series in partnership with USA Cycling. The four-race series, which will be known as the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group, is the result of a $500,000+ multi-year agreement.</span></p>
<p><span>n 2014, the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series will include three established races and one new race, including the Mellow Johnny's Classic in Texas; Bonelli Park in California; Fontana in California; and a final round to be created in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All four events will be sanctioned by the UCI as Category HC or Category 1 events.</span></p>
<p><span>The finale in Colorado Springs is set for Saturday, June 14. Organizers are not settled on a location, but USA Cycling has a history of choosing Palmer Park and Cheyenne Mountain State Park for their blend of flowing and technical singletrack. New locations in the Colorado Sprigs area are also being considered.</span></p>
<p><span>Area cyclists should plan to make a weekend of it, as Andy Bohlmann of the long-running Sand Creek Series has applied to host the Colorado State Championships on Sunday, June 15, at the same location. Bohlmann will also play a key roll in helping organize and produce the Pro Cup Series Race.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The jointly owned USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series intends to run its four events in the same locations and on the same dates each year for the next three to five years. USA Cycling and the Sho-Air Cycling Group will both contribute cash and management to produce the series, including a generous prize purse for the overall winners. Series participation is open to riders from around the globe, and the series will crown overall male and female winners.</span></p>
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<p><strong>2014 USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group</strong><br/><span>March 1-2: Round 1 - Mellow Johnny's Class, Dripping Springs, Texas (C1)</span><br/><span>March 15-16: Round 2 - Bonelli Park, San Dimas, California (HC)</span><br/><span>March 23-24: Round 3 - Fontana, California (C1)</span><br/><span>June 14: Round 4 - Colorado Springs, Colorado (C1)</span></p>
<p><span>Read the whole story here ... <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sho-air-cycling-group-announces-new-world-class-mountain-bike-race-series">http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sho-air-cycling-group-announces-new-world-class-mountain-bike-race-series</a></span></p> Cyclist Alicia Jakomait shares story of getting lost, knocking herself unconscious, night in the woodstag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-10-02:5021591:Topic:5022402013-10-02T21:50:23.656ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><em><span><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419286?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419286?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> Editor's note: Special thanks to Alicia for permission to reprint her story. She hopes that telling it will help others avoid a similar experience. This account first appeared on her Facebook page.</span></span></em></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">It was a beautiful day on Sunday around 1 p.m. when I found myself…</span></span></p>
<p><em><span><span class="text_exposed_show"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419286?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419286?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>Editor's note: Special thanks to Alicia for permission to reprint her story. She hopes that telling it will help others avoid a similar experience. This account first appeared on her Facebook page.</span></span></em></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">It was a beautiful day on Sunday around 1 p.m. when I found myself uncertain of where I would ride due to both storm damage and accumulated fatigue.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">I've been fortunate to ride on new trails often this summer and I felt confident that I would successfully link the Emerald Pipeline trail back to the road which I planned to ride down to get home (South of Old Stage/Gold Camp).</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">This area was unexpectedly difficult to navigate as it was in a steep valley with faint/lightly used trails and downed trees and various rivers flowing down from all the storm damage.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">As night fell in the valley I passed by the ever important reservoir where I had planned to re-join Old Stage Road. I became lost when hiking the bike through some meadows and marshland areas, and I mistook the marsh as being the reservoir. I walked around that area a great deal looking for the main road without success and in that process lost track of where I came from, so backtracking was no longer possible. It was in the marshy areas where I lost the faintly worn-in trails and was not sure how I got to what direction was what.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">Once I realized I had lost the trail, I scrambled up steep, rocky terrain to reach high points. Armed with a headlamp, a very light jacket, a map, bike tools and about 400 calories, I began bushwhacking in what I thought was the right direction as the terrain became increasingly steep and rocky.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">It must have been between 8 or 9 p.m. (sun) when I somehow fell off a boulder, knocked myself out and woke up face down on the ground. I don’t remember falling just waking up, and the head injury impaired my sense of direction greatly.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">I felt the confusing effects of a concussion as I could no longer make any sense of the map as I continued to hike the bike off the marked trails in circles all night. Determined to get home, I kept moving on Sunday night to about 3 a.m. to a high point so I could see and survey the area in the morning and to save my energy for getting to the right place the next day as I decided to wait till dawn so I could keep the city to my east and make sure to go north and keep going north to join Old Stage Road. I found a good tree, used my map to wrap up my legs, pine needles and branches to try to be warm until dawn.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">At 7 a.m. when the sun was up I was unable to see any landmarks or roads and decided to try to go north to the road, but found myself in very unfriendly class 2-3 terrain with downed trees and debris all over. I believe that going around so many obstacles contributed to remaining lost.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">The battery in my phone was getting less and less so I turned off my phone several times and probably tried to call 911 about 50 times without success.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">Hiking through the forested area with the rocks everywhere was very difficult and slow going. I’d catch my bike or my legs on big sticks or the branches would get tension then release and whack me over and over again. As Monday afternoon approached I was trying to find the reservoir and much to my despair, I ended up in the same place as the night before.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">I could see a rock formation I knew was close to Old Stage/Gold Camp and decided to use this visual tool to go north to the road. I carefully studied the map and the mountains and elevation and would pull up the limited Strava GPS map view to see I kept going in circles again. My phone battery died shortly after my last effort to point myself in the right direction.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">The sun kept moving West and I began to doubt if I was really going north as it seemed like I should have run into the road after going that way for several hours. I began to yell “help” every so often hoping maybe a horse or hiker would hear me, and it was a good thing because that is how I was found.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">It was around 6 p.m. when I heard someone yell my name, and I yelled back. Apparently someone heard me yell “help”. I felt both very happy that I was no longer “lost” yet very embarrassed for being so lost and unable to get myself out of the jam I was in. My leg was getting very swollen, the concussion headache seemed impacted by the lack of nutrition, mild hypothermia, nausea, and soreness, my body was slowing down so I was extremely happy to have the assistance.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">The two men who found me told me that I was .5 mile from the road I was trying to get to and that my husband was looking for me all night and found my tire tracks and was able give a better idea of where I was, which was between Emerald Valley and Old Stage road in a valley. Jesse was amazingly accurate that I would keep moving towards the road, and it’s wonderful that he knew me well enough to help pinpoint my location. I feel so very fortunate.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">The amazing Search and Rescue people were prepared with warm clothes and a sleeping bag and because of how swollen my tib/fib was and the concussion a bunch more people came and they wheeled me out of the trail to an ambulance and to Penrose Hospital. I almost had to stay the night to have my kidneys flushed, luckily after a bag of fluid in the ambulance and two more at the hospital, my labs improved and I was able to go home with a new appreciation and zest for living and enjoying life.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">That is perhaps the most positive aspect of this unwanted adventure, is a fresh perspective about what matters and what does not matter. I also learned a lot of lessons about making solid plans, sharing those locations with someone and not just going for random rides. I thought about the potential of crashing and being really hurt and it took only one night cold with no clothes to stay warm to learn that it is really unsafe to go out alone and not tell anyone where I am going. I also learned that it’s worth it to carry a few tools with me as things can always happen.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span class="text_exposed_show">It was not a good experience, however, I feel like a better person from drawing positive learning experiences from this ordeal. I never wish to be lost with no supplies again and needing the assistance of a rescue crew. It was very irresponsible of me and I deeply regret having made the poor choice to adventure alone without telling anyone where I was going. Fortunately, the rescue crew was incredibly helpful and professional and got me out of the woods. I can’t thank everyone enough for their efforts to help me avoid another night out there. I feel very grateful to all people who took time to look for me. Thanks again to everyone, I promise to never do this again!<br/> --Alicia H. Jakomait, 10/1/13</span></span></p> Ride and dine to support high school cyclingtag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-08-27:5021591:Topic:4916402013-08-27T14:35:11.073ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419743?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419743?profile=original" width="300"></img></a> Newly formed partners, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA), along with Olympian, Alison Dunlop, invite you to ride and dine at the <a href="http://csbj.com/2013/06/17/anticipation-for-ivywild-lures-early-crowds/">Ivywild School in Colorado Springs, Colo</a>.…</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419743?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419743?profile=original" width="300"/></a>Newly formed partners, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA), along with Olympian, Alison Dunlop, invite you to ride and dine at the <a href="http://csbj.com/2013/06/17/anticipation-for-ivywild-lures-early-crowds/">Ivywild School in Colorado Springs, Colo</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419801?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419801?profile=original" width="90"/></a>Ivywild School is a 100-year-old former schoolhouse that has been redeveloped into restaurants and a brewery, as well as the Old School Bakery and a coffee shop. Participants choose an approximately 45- or 35-mile road ride.</p>
<p>This culinary ride starts with espressos and pastries at the restaurant before pedaling the course at a leisurely pace and is followed by a fabulous buffet style feast. Leaving from The Ivywild School and winding through scenic Colorado Springs neighborhoods, the ride will explore a mixture of familiar wide and narrow roads on the southwest side of town, some flat and some climbing, eventually heading out to the eastern part of town, mostly flat and fast, and eventually returning westward to a well-deserved feast in the historic Ivywild School gym.</p>
<p>The event is limited to 60 guests and offered at $35 for Booster Club Members, $45 for non-Members (prices include lunch). Proceeds go to the NICA Booster Fund providing student-athlete scholarships, team grants and coach stipends to increase access to the high school mountain biking.</p>
<p>NICA is very pleased to be working with TrueSport®, USADA’s initiative to provide educational opportunities and implement programs for the NICA community that aim to help students develop as athletes while fostering a culture of clean competition and integrity in cycling.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>Saturday, August 31st •</strong> <strong>Colorado Springs, Colo.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>8 a.m. - Pastries and Coffee<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>9 a.m. - Roll-Out<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>1 p.m. - Lunch<br/></strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong><a href="http://grancorsaivywild.eventbrite.com" target="_blank">Register Here</a></strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center">Check back here soon for a course map.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>Directions: Ivywild School, <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1604+S.+Cascade+Avenue+Colorado+Springs,+Colorado&hnear=1604+S+Cascade+Ave,+Colorado+Springs,+El+Paso,+Colorado+80905&gl=us&t=m&z=16" target="_blank">1604 S. Cascade Avenue Colorado Springs, Colorado</a></strong></p> There is plenty to brag about at the Thelen householdtag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-08-01:5021591:Topic:4838282013-08-01T03:43:10.236ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419997?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419997?profile=original" width="240"></img></a> <strong>By Neal Reid<br></br> PikesPeakSports.us</strong></p>
<p>Apparently, the couple that races together wins together.</p>
<p>Nick and Tracy Thelen turned in impressive performances in the Ascent Cycling Series finale at Bear Creek Park Wednesday evening to earn series victories in their respective classes. Nick finished second in the finale to hold onto the single-speed…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419997?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656419997?profile=original" width="240"/></a><strong>By Neal Reid<br/> PikesPeakSports.us</strong></p>
<p>Apparently, the couple that races together wins together.</p>
<p>Nick and Tracy Thelen turned in impressive performances in the Ascent Cycling Series finale at Bear Creek Park Wednesday evening to earn series victories in their respective classes. Nick finished second in the finale to hold onto the single-speed men’s class title, while Tracy won the finale to easily take home the women’s professional/Category 1 championship.</p>
<p><strong>Photos: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-final-gallery-1?xgi=&test-locale=&exposeKeys=&xg_pw=&xgsi=&id=5021591%3AAlbum%3A484119&groupId=&groupUrl=&commentPage=&xg_disable_customizations=&page=4" target="_blank">Gallery 1</a>, <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-final-gallery-2-1" target="_blank">Gallery 2</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-no-5-results" target="_blank">Wednesday race results here!</a></strong></p>
<p>The five-race series, which began June 5, concluded at the park’s 2.5-mile course, with more than 100 riders competing in nearly 20 classes. The two-month series also included races at Palmer Park and Cheyenne Mountain State Park.</p>
<p>Tracy, who began competing in 2008, finished well clear of Kelly Neville in the series standings and was all smiles after the race.</p>
<p>“Today, I think I raced pretty smart,” said Tracy, who works as a physical therapist for the elderly. “Overall, for the series, I liked the way Andy (Bohlmann) did it with the three different venues. It was a good mix.”</p>
<p>For Nick, the experience of competing in the series was a pleasant one, especially with the standings staying tight thanks to solid performances by second-place finisher Ian Broughton and Travis Ekenberg.</p>
<p>“I didn’t ride very smart today, and I tend to go out really, really hard trying to gain fitness,” said Nick, a mechanical engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “(The standings) have been close all season, and we had a good race the whole series. It keeps it interesting and keeps it honest.”</p>
<p>The Thelens, who have been married for six years and ride for Pro Cycling, also swept their classes last year in the Rocky Mountain Endurance Series, and Nick said each year their anniversary consists of a trip to the 24 Hours in the Sage race in Gunnison.</p>
<p>Being able to share a sport helps keep the husband-and-wife tandem close.</p>
<p>“It’s a lot more fun to be able to go out and ride with him, and racing is the secondary part,” said Tracy, who won three of the series’ five races. “To be able to withdraw, go into the mountains and say, ‘Let’s go explore that trail’ is more of the benefit for us.”</p>
<p>Having the same passion can also, however, test a couple’s patience.</p>
<p>“It’s good and bad,” said Nick, who won two series races. “Sometimes, being around each other all the time, you need some alone time every once in a while. But we make that happen and get along pretty well.”</p>
<p>J.J. Clark won the men’s professional/Category 1 class, with Cameron Chambers – who was out of action with several broken vertebrae suffered in a nasty fall earlier in the summer – finishing second. Not being able to compete against the highly decorated Chambers was a bit of a downer for Clark.</p>
<p>“It’s a little bittersweet because it’s kind of a bummer that Cameron couldn’t race,” said Clark, who also rides for Pro Cycling. “But, it’s always nice to win the local stuff. To mix it up, I ran the single-speed tonight, so that added a little bit of a challenge.</p>
<p>“I picked kind of a bad gear, but it was still a fun race.”</p>
<p>Tracy, who had wrapped up her series title before Wednesday’s finale, said she set a specific goal for herself before the race.</p>
<p>“My goal was to not get lapped by J.J., but I did not meet that goal,” Tracy said. “He caught me on my last lap.”</p> After 17 years, rider returns to Sand Creek Sports mountain bike racingtag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-07-09:5021591:Topic:4724562013-07-09T20:27:19.129ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656424844?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656424844?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> His legs don't have the same firepower they once possessed, but his heart still loves to race.<br></br> In 1996, Patrick Taylor was ripping up the old Sand Creek Series Hell on a Hillside mountain bike race in Manitou Springs. Things were going well ... and then they weren't.<br></br> Taylor discovered that his Camelbak had malfunctioned and his water was gone. It was a hot, sunny…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656424844?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656424844?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>His legs don't have the same firepower they once possessed, but his heart still loves to race.<br/> In 1996, Patrick Taylor was ripping up the old Sand Creek Series Hell on a Hillside mountain bike race in Manitou Springs. Things were going well ... and then they weren't.<br/> Taylor discovered that his Camelbak had malfunctioned and his water was gone. It was a hot, sunny day. And the sun quickly became a blast furnace.<br/> "I got heat stroke," Taylor said. "I was shivering. It felt like I was freezing. I went to the doctor and they said I'd gone into shock."</p>
<p>That kind of experience makes a rider think twice about stomping the pedals on hot days. Taylor said the effects lingered. He had trouble with hard efforts in the heat. He thought his mountain bike racing days were finished.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/page/2013-sand-creek-sports-bike-races" target="_blank">See all of the Ascent Cycling Series coverage here</a><br/> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/profiles/blogs/heat?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">Read more about staying hydrated in hot weather</a></p>
<p>But it's hard to deny what you love. And last month, Taylor, a machinist who makes bike parts for SRM (famous for it's cycling power meters), raced for the first time in 17 years in the Ascent Cycling Series event at Bear Creek Park.</p>
<p>"I couldn't stay away," said Taylor, now 54. "My boss (Doug Goodwin) used to be a Canadian pro, and he encouraged me to get back out there and race again."<br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656429691?profile=original"><img width="230" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656429691?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="230"/></a></p>
<p>Taylor is a perfect fit at the Wednesday night races. The series is open to anyone with a bike and a desire to have fun. It's common to see beginners and national champions laughing and having fun together ... all in the name of shredding the trails.</p>
<p>The next race is set for Wednesday at Palmer Park. The starting line is across from the dog park, about 1/2 mile from the Maizeland entrance. The juniors and Category 3 women riders start at 4 p.m.</p>
<p>"Andy (Bohlmann) puts on a good race," Taylor said. "He does a good job of making things fun. It's low stress. Just show up, get on the starting line."</p>
<p>With his long ponytail flying from beneath his helmet, and sharp Cafe Velo race kit, Taylor is living his dream on some of the best singletrack in the west.</p>
<p>"I was looking for a BMC bike, and I walked into Cafe Velo to buy one," Taylor said. "Before I knew it I was part of the club team."</p>
<p></p> Notes from mountain bike camp: Learning to race and beat the Europeanstag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-06-16:5021591:Topic:4575922013-06-16T04:00:15.055ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425671?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425671?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a> In football, there is a system in place for developing players. Their first snaps often come in elementary school, followed by rough-and-tumble games in junior high and high school.</p>
<p>The best athletes move on to play in college, and a few hit the big time, a pro contract in the National Football League.</p>
<p>But how do strong, young mountain bike racers move up the…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425671?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425671?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>In football, there is a system in place for developing players. Their first snaps often come in elementary school, followed by rough-and-tumble games in junior high and high school.</p>
<p>The best athletes move on to play in college, and a few hit the big time, a pro contract in the National Football League.</p>
<p>But how do strong, young mountain bike racers move up the ranks,?</p>
<p>On Friday, Ryan Kohler, manager of the USA Cycling Rocky Mountain ID Camp, helped 20 teenage cyclist find their way to the next level.</p>
<p>With a light rain splattering their helmets, girl and boy riders aged 14-to-17 hit the trails in Palmer Park. It was the first day of camp, a chance to shake out the legs and get used to the terrain.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/usa-cycling-rocky-mountain-talent-id-camp-palmer-park-ride" target="_blank">VIDEO: Kohler leads his posse in Palmer Park</a></strong></p>
<p>"USA Cycling has a development pathway and this is the first step," Kohler said.</p>
<p>The riders are invited to attend camp after showing good results in programs such as the Alison Dunlap Junior Race Series.</p>
<p>Kohler had a plan for them. U.S. kids need skills training. They're fast, they can climb, but to compete on the world stage, they have to be skillful.</p>
<p>"We'll focus on skill development and try to make them even faster riders," Kohler said. "Cross country, uphill, downhill, race skills, cornering ... name any trail in Palmer Park and it will teach you the skill you need."</p>
<p>The next stop, Europe. USA Cycling will help pay some of the expenses, Kohler said, but the riders and their parents also chip in for travel expenses.</p>
<p>"In Europe, they're going to get the experience of racing against the best in the world," Kohler said. "They're (Europeans) much faster than we are here. Hopefully, our riders can bring that experience home and continue training and racing. If they see good results, then they can move on to Step 3, which is like a European resident program, where they go for a longer time and they race more."</p>
<p>Riders don't have to do this, they can still become a pro and race in the U.S. It's not bad work, if you can get it.</p>
<p>"But this whole progression falls into USA Cycling's mission of getting more Olympic Medals," Kohler said.</p>
<p>The camp continues for six days and includes instruction on training, nutrition, bike repair and maintenance, and bike packing for travel.</p>
<p>But it's really about the riding. On Sunday, all of the cyclist will compete in the KMC Classic beginning at 8 a.m. at Palmer Park. Kohler said the race format is perfect for the skills camp because it resembles European racing with shorter laps that create more competitive, aggressive racing.</p>
<p>"This is great because it's one of the shorter cross country courses that you see," Kohler said. "It's fast, it's technical and they're not out doing a 30-mile lap."</p>
<p>Halley Batten, 15, of Park City, will travel to Europe in two weeks to taste the tougher competition. If she wants to reach her goals, she has to ride against the best in the world.</p>
<p>"The technical and how they race is different," she said. "It's a closer race, a big fight for the finish. And I think there will be more girls to race against. I want to go World Cup races and the Olympics, so this is part of getting there."</p> Camaraderie, tradition, draw mountain bike racers to Ascent Cycling Seriestag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-06-06:5021591:Topic:4528132013-06-06T05:35:54.347ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425118?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425118?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"></img></a> <strong>RESULTS: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-results" target="_blank">Where did you finish?</a></strong><br></br> <strong>PHOTOS: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-gallery-1" target="_blank">Gallery 1</a> **…</strong></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425118?profile=original"><img width="320" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656425118?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="320"/></a><strong>RESULTS: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-results" target="_blank">Where did you finish?</a></strong><br/> <strong>PHOTOS: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-gallery-1" target="_blank">Gallery 1</a> **</strong> <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/albums/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-gallery-2" target="_blank">Gallery 2</a><br/> <strong>VIDEO: <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-start-of-the-cat-2-3-races" target="_blank">Start of the Cat 2/3 race</a> ** <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/ascent-cycling-series-no-1-start-of-the-pro-cat-1-race" target="_blank">Start of the Pro/Cat 1 race</a> ** <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/giant-s-kelli-emmett-talks-about-life-on-the-world-enduro-tour" target="_blank">Interview with Kelli Emmett</a></strong><br/> <br/> <strong>By Monica Smith</strong><br/> <strong>PikesPeakSports.us</strong><br/> Feelings of support and camaraderie have allured athletes of all abilities - whether first-timers or world champion riders - to the Ascent Cycling Series for 23 years. The first race of the 2013 season Wednesday at Bear Creek Terrace upheld that tradition.</p>
<p>“This is a great place to support everybody,” said Julie Glenn, a member of the Women’s Mountain Biking Association. “The camaraderie is awesome. It’s really easy access for the spectators, which makes it really fun because you have people pushing you and cheering you on all over.”</p>
<p>While Glenn loves the local support system, she isn’t the only one who embraces it. Front Rangers club coach, Stacy Gery is also grateful for the amount of support at the series, including support from Andy Bohlmann, race director of the Ascent Cycling Series.</p>
<p>“I personally like that it’s a more local event for the kids," Gery said. "And there is a lot of support when you’re at a local event. Also, Andy has been a phenomenal supporter of Front Rangers.”</p>
<p>Sharon Jenkins, mother of Front Rangers club racers Nolan and Nic Jenkins, also shows a deep appreciation for the Sand Creek Sports bike races.</p>
<p>“We love this series,” she said. “We come every year. It’s a great time to catch up with friends, and Andy just puts on such a great race. We love it.</p>
<p>“This is our third year doing this series,” Sharon Jenkins continued. “Two years ago we were at a camp in Boulder and drove all of the way back from Boulder because they wanted to do this race. So, after that we got hooked.”</p>
<p>Many of the racers, including Sharon Jenkins’ son, Nolan Jenkins, consider the series to be a great setup for future races. He can push his conditioning and sharpen his skills in the Ascent Cycling Series while he prepares for the USA Cycling Cross Country Mountain Bike National Championships in Pennsylvania in July. He was the fastest in the 14-and-under category on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“My goal was to try to win and push myself as hard as I could so my training can get even better for Nationals because that’s really my ‘A’ race,” Jenkins said. “We’ve done these races a lot and have had them in our list of races because we really like them.”</p>
<p>Mitchell Goates, a Front Rangers club racer, agrees: “The series is pretty low key,” he said. “They’re local and fun to race...It’s fun just to come out and compete with other competition and see where you’re at.”</p>
<p>Recognizing the diverse abilities, Bohlmann understands that riders mainly compete in the Ascent Cycling Series for the experience and promotes the event that way. It's common to see first-time racers mingling with national champions in Bohlmann's races.</p>
<p>“We’ve got the first-time rider all the way up to the very other end,” said Bohlmann. “That’s what the Ascent Cycling Series is all about: it’s laid back and fun for the riders and family.”</p>
<p>While many credit Bohlmann for the success of the event, Bohmann gives credits to the reliable sponsors, staff and volunteers that have supported the series for years.</p> Sand Creek Sports needs a few good volunteers for June 16 State Championship mountain bike racetag:pikespeaksports.us,2013-05-22:5021591:Topic:4493512013-05-22T23:01:44.042ZTim Bergstenhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/TimBergsten
<p><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656423732?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656423732?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> From Andy Bohlmann<br></br>Race Director, Sand Creek Sports</strong></p>
<p>Sand Creek Sports needs staff for its Sunday, June 16th State Championship Cross Country race at Palmer Park. Staff will compliment existing staff and staff provided by the Pikes Peak Velo and Southern Colorado Velo clubs.</p>
<p>Needed on Saturday, June 15:</p>
<p>Two registration assistants who…</p>
<p><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656423732?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656423732?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>From Andy Bohlmann<br/>Race Director, Sand Creek Sports</strong></p>
<p>Sand Creek Sports needs staff for its Sunday, June 16th State Championship Cross Country race at Palmer Park. Staff will compliment existing staff and staff provided by the Pikes Peak Velo and Southern Colorado Velo clubs.</p>
<p>Needed on Saturday, June 15:</p>
<p>Two registration assistants who will hand out number to pre-registered riders and process entries for new riders at the Council Grounds Picnic area in Palmer Park 3 p.m. to about 5 p.m. (perhaps a little longer.)</p>
<p>Seeded Sunday, June 16th:</p>
<p>1. 7 a.m. to about 3-3:30 p.m. One registration assistant who will assist Chief Registrar near the start and finish area.</p>
<p>2. 7 a.m. to about 5 p.m.: Half day shifts are OK. Three “crossing guards” at entrance to the Council Grounds Picnic Area. Supervisor will be present. Control all rider and spectator course crossing to the start and finish area. Canopy and “gates” provided. Wear race provided orange vest.</p>
<p>3. 7 a.m. to about 5 p.m.: Half day shifts are OK. We need four to six on-course course marshals. Orange vest and radio provided. Course marshals are assigned a location on the race course and control/prevent non-race people, etc., from getting on the course and to ensure course markings remain in place. Supervisor in place. Also, after race is over, pick up course markings in your area.</p>
<p>4. 7:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m.: Need two people. Half day shifts OK. Awards staff to prepare awards for presentation on stage.</p>
<p>All Sunday volunteers need to be fully “equipped” for a day in the woods. We'll provide lunch from Borreillo Brothers Pizza (for full day volunteers), plus water and drinks, but volunteers will still be still “in the woods.”<br/><a href="http://www.sandcreeksports.com/kmc.htm" target="_blank">Race web page here</a>, including Technical Guide with all specific race information. Contact Andy Bohlmann at andy@sandcreeksports.com or 719-651-1677.</p>