A Detour to Boulder--mileage to date 819

While on my way back to Breckenridge for a few days I decided to detour to Boulder to participate in the Colorado University Short Track MTB Series (http://cushorttrack.blogspot.com/). The races are less than 30 minutes in length and basically a crit on an MTB.

The Short Track Course--about .9 mile ciruit

Prior to arriving I contacted a former DC triathlon and training pal Adrianne Kroepsch (AK). She is now a soon to finish grad student at CU and a member of the CU Cycling Team. AK planned to race as well so we linked-up for some chit chat to catch-up on what we have been up to for the last few years and then hopped on the course for some warm-up laps

My sole reasoning for doing this race was because it is different and seemed like a lot of fun. The altitude in Boulder is about 5k so I expected it to be a bit easier than Steamboat but my expectations were low regarding how well I would do. I entered the Men's B race and about 25 of us were off at about 6:20pm for our race of 25 minutes. I was spit out the back pretty quick and had to redline to just keep the other guys in view. 

My heart rate was screaming, nothing new here, and I was having a lot of fun on the course and to quote AK "you are like a kid on your bike on this course" when cruising around the trees and up and over the dips and berms.

Like other races in the Rockies the leaders lapped me at about the 15 min mark but today I felt better than at Steamboat and was able to catch two riders so I was not DFL!! Anyway, when I had one lap to go I was able to hold off the last guy I passed and finished in 3rd from the bottom. Humbling yes but an improvement from last week.

Adrianne on the grid

I watched AK in the Women's A race and she faced some real tough competition against sponsored riders and many that are not full-time grad students. Needless to say AK had a pretty good race but she ended up off the podium as well. AK admitted that maybe she should not show up for this kind of race on tired legs?? For my DC and NOVA pals that know AK she is running a lot and prepping for this.......http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/index.htm

AK pushing the big ring

Post Race smiles but no podium for us!

After the race I mingled a bit and talked with one guy that had raced in one of our Potomac Velo club races....small world.............and I ran in to another former east coaster that raced for Route 1 Velo in Maryland. Like many things the cycling community is very small :)

JOCMO: Not finishing last and riding well!

Boulder in the background as I am leaving town

Front Range and valley leaving Boulder