Mountain States Cup - Chilie Challenge

Mike Hogan & Thomas Dooley - glued together clawing up Angel Fire

Round #3 of the 2008 Mountain States Cup survived a snow scare & went off without a hitch at Angel Fire this weekend. Saturday morning brought 30 degree weather & 4 inches of new snow at the top of the course. Fortunately the day was sunny & the XC race was scheduled for Sunday. Saturday's super D was reported to be quite exciting with an iced course. Chipotle-Titus was able to get a great pre-ride in late Saturday after a melt off. Dave Weins is quoted as saying "you climb all the way up the mountain, just to turn around & climb all the way back down". This is an apt description of the course. The climb is steep with lots of technical sections - nice open fireroad mixed with 180 turn single track & very steep rocky climb sections. The downhill was muddy, rough, full of roots & a general kick the whole way down. It was, however, work all the way down.

Karen Hogan leads into lap 2

Sunday was a gorgeous day; racing in shorts & short sleeves - an absolute novelty this year. The ladies of Chipotle came prepared to ride lead by Karen Hogan. Karen won the 40+ women followed by Jane Finsterwald in 3rd & Maria Perez in 8th.

Jane showing a bit of mud as she starts the 2nd climb

Maria Perez rolling through on of the tamer pieces of the course

Our Hogan - Dooley duo repeated last weeks 1-2; just changing order. Mike Hogan ripped up the climb on lap one dropping the entire field. Thomas used his superior descending skills to claw his way back close to Mike. The pair solidified their lead on lap 2 to bring home another Chipotle-Titus 1-2 in the 40+ field. Drew Geer put in a couple of solid climbing laps & some conservative bone saving downhills to finish 10th.

Thomas Dooley was redlined uphill & down

Drew Geer on one of the steeper sections

Most of the team was riding the Kenda Small Bock 8. Despite the look of minimum tread this tire gripped the mud, loose rock & wet roots perfectly! The Titus Carbon X as usual soaked up the rocky descents & was a total treat to race. This course was an equipment workout!



6 starts; 6 top 10
2 wins
4 podium places