Ridgeline Rampage

An update from Todd Baker:



First, congrats to Toni and Drew Geer for their 2nd and 5th place finishes in an epic race in Fruita...Nice job!!!

Cinco de Mayo welcomed an unbelievable turnout at the Ridgeline Rampage race in Castle Rock.  The 2nd race of the Rocky Mountain Endurance Series offered a full-marathon (60 miles), 1/2-marathon (30 miles) and XC race (20 miles).  The full marathon pros started the day at 8:00 a.m. and involved another age-based interval start for the remaining racers.  Brady Kappius jumped on the podium in 3rd place overall...congrats!  The 50-59 age-group winner belongs to our very own Mark Gouge!  Mark beat his 2nd place competition by over 11 minutes...Wow!  John Bliss also placed Team Kappius in the 6th place position in the 50-59 age group...Congrats John!  Scott Pavlakovic turned some fast laps to place 14th in the 30-39 age group.  Due to racers like me who were scared to do the full-marathon the week before Mesa-Verde (or other races), the 40-49, single-speed, and women groups were void of any Team Kappius riders (from what I could see).  For the record, Gouge's time was 4:51:23, Bliss's was 5:17:05, and Pavlakovic's was 5:01:41.....Nice job, guys!!!

The half-marathon race began at 1:00 p.m. with the same interval start.  I was told the temperature was in the low 80's, but, nerves, tons of racers to pass, and a short 10-mile course, made it feel much warmer.  This is a good time to thank my business partner and fellow Team Kappius rider, Kelly McGrew, for surprising me with the gift of a WHITE Kappius jersey the night before the race!  If you don't have one, they are a must in the heat...Thank you, Kelly!    I had the privilege of meeting Team Kappius racer, Justin Green, after the race...he is a total gentleman and fast racer who finished 5th in the 50-59 age group with a time of 2:30:33.  The 40-49 age group was packed with 51 finishers.  I was one of 6 who finished within 2 minutes of one another, which placed me 13th with a time of 2:25:55.  It was not a stellar performance, but, a fun day on the bike with a great goup of friends and supporters...This is such a FUN sport!!!

I am guessing this race will "max out" with racers on the short 10-mile course in the future.  It was crowded.

Good luck to those racing this weekend in Mesa-Verde!




For more results and information about the race, please visit http://www.warriorscycling.com/races/ridgeline-rampage/.