High school mountain biking returns to the Pikes Peak region on October 16th at the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch North East of Colorado Springs.  This will be race three of the 2011 season.

JV Rider Kyle Bloesser of Colorado Springs working to close the gap

The Colorado High School Cycling League kicked of its second season on September 18th with Chalk Creek Challenge in Nathrop, followed by the second race, the Snow Mountain Ranch Stampede in Granby on October 2nd.   This season the size of the field has doubled with well over 200 racers from schools across the state and neighboring Wyoming rolling up to the start line. The League races accommodate riders of all abilities and team ranks include everyone from first time racers to National Champion caliber junior riders from the road, cross, and mountain bike disciplines. The courses are set up to take in into account the wide variety of abilities and still provide a challenging racing experience. What a course may lack in technical challenge it will makes up for by requiring the racers to ride at the red line for the duration of their race.

Brady Smith from Cheyenne Mountain High School rounded out the D2 Sophomore podium

To keep field sizes small enough to provide a quality racing experience, teams are split in two divisions based on the number of riders on the team. Division 1 (D1) is composed of teams with 12 or more riders. Teams with 11 or fewer make up Division 2 (D2)  Riders who are not affiliated with a high school team race as Independents grouped in with the Division 1 teams.

Colorado Springs and Woodland Park are represented by a handful of independent riders and a larger composite team based out of Cheyenne Mountain High School. Independent rider Kyle Bloesser holds third place overall in the boy’s D1 JV category. Riding for the Cheyenne Mountain Cycling Club, Brady Smith sits in fifth overall in the D2 Sophomore group, and Trevor von Boeck has second in the D2 Freshmen category.  Riding as Independents and splitting time between cross country duties at Woodland Park High School, Freshmen brothers Neal and Brett Oppedal and Senior Joe Hopfe have had strong showings in their races as well.

 

Area businesses have been quick to get involved. Team and independent riders are receiving support from the likes of Team Telecycle, Pro Cycling, Bike Stop, Bike Pro-Mobile, and Peak Region Cyclist.
 Trevor von Boeck from Cheyenne Mountain leading out the D2 Freshman

Across all categories in both D1 and D2, there is tight competition for the top spots and in many cases riders are tied for points. Watching the action in race two, fans and team mates were treated to some exciting performances. In her debut in the Varsity girl’s ranks, Freshman Ksenia Lepikhina (Farview HS) came across the line over two minutes ahead of the second place Dominique Fenichell (Boulder HS). Christian Kloser (Vail Valley Composite) led out the Varsity Boy’s race with Salida High’s Garrett Lundburg close on his wheel. Lundburg dropped a chain and fell off the pace for a lap allowing Kloser to cross the line first.  Then there was the Boulder High train of Garrett Gerchar, Michael Dessau and Grant Ellwood in the D1 JV race. They rode the first two laps on each other’s wheels and put in a blistering third lap in an effort to create some separation from Maxx Chance of Fairview.  At the finish Garret held off Michael to take the win and the Boulder High riders claimed the top three spots on the podium.


Boulder High riders Garrett Gerchar, Michael Dessau, Maxx Chance (Fairview), and Grant Ellwood rode wheel to wheel through out the DI JV race.

As a counter point to the racing at the front, how about seeing this? Friends and families bringing the cowbell, cheers, and encouraging words for every rider passing by.  Entire teams gathering to cheer on their team mates.  Competitors shaking hands and fist bumping the finish. From the Colorado League leadership down to the coaches, competitors, and support this is a movement that is striving to provide a positive athletic opportunity for student athletes. You owe it to yourself to come out and watch a race.

For details on the October 16th Peaceful Valley Invitational and Ridgeline Rally State Championship later in the month visit the Colorado High School Cycling Events page at http://www.coloradomtb.org/events/races/.  For more information on the League, including volunteer opportunities start at http://www.coloradomtb.org/