Front Range 50 / Battle the Bear

The Colorado weather was perfect for about one day - just in time for the Front Range 50 race. The early morning start was brisk but the sky was clear & there was no wind. Justin's / Titus fielded 12 riders in the 50 miles event & had another 4 starts for Battle the Bear, run over the same course later in the day.

Both races are run over a 10 mile loop at Bear Creek Park in Morrison. The course is fast, smooth, twisty with three steep punchy climbs. Much of the course is single track making passing at full speed an exciting proposition.

The Justin's gals had outstanding results with Toni Geer winning the 50+ field, Karen Hogan 2nd in the 40+ followed by Coreen Wright in 3rd & Michelle Bliss in 14th. Michelle lost a rear derailleur on lap 4 of 5. Most would have called it a day but she ran in the last 2 miles, fixed her bike & headed out for the last lap - chapeau!

Mike Hogan was 8th in the 40-49 crew followed by Jim Reuter (14th), Thomas Dooley (18th), Jamie Kilkoyn (22nd) & Hank Harris (48th). Gary Thacker let home our 50+ team in 4th with Drew Geer in 6th & John Bliss in 9th.

The organizers used a wave start this year with the older riders starting at the back followed by the women in last. The problem is that these groups are certainly not the slower riders and anyone starting at the back had to pass literally hundreds of riders over the 50 mile race. On the fast single track this was at least quite exciting.

The Battle the Bear uses the same course with a lower lap count & therefore higher speeds. Sherri Boltz not only won the 40+  women's field, she was the top women amateur over-all. Keith Sanders dropped by from Winter Park for his first mountain bike ride of the year winning the 50+ division. Jack Boltz was 6th & Dave Wright was 13th in the 40+ field.

13 starts
3 wins
5 podium places

Next up: Mountain States Cup - Chalk Creek