You have to give it up for FLiBye Racing's Steven Thompson who did his part to battle breast cancer in the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure Saturday (July 16) at Pikes Peak International Raceway.. Thompson designed and wore a custom pink race kit. It was a big hit.

Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure photo album

About 160 riders saddled up for the inaugural Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure on Saturday at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

The day began with cool temperatures as riders rolled out onto routes of 72, 44 and 15-miles across the Colorado grasslands east of Fountain.

And though the mid-July sun was in blazing form by 10 a.m., all the cyclists returned in good shape to celebrate with food and cold drinks.

The ride was a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southeastern Colorado, a nonprofit that supports breast cancer patients in El Paso, Teller and Pueblo Counties.

"It was a great route," said David Kriegshauser, who pedaled the 72-mile circuit. "We started at 6 a.m. and there was a breeze out of the north. But the roads were mostly flat."

The longer routes were selected by Gail Allen, founder of the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure and a breast cancer survivor. The cyclists had the opportunity to cruise along quiet blacktop roads with little interference from traffic.

"We had the road to ourselves," Kriegshauser said. "The police did an awesome jog of blocking off the intersections. Only a handful of people were out driving and needed to pass us and everybody was courteous."

All the riders complimented the organizing team, which transformed a warm chunk of PPIR pavement into a hopping village of activity. The riders were also complimentary of the "rejuvenation stations" along the route.

"The rejuvenation stops were awesome," Kreigshauser said. "They were really well stocked."

Ride for the Cure Honorary Chairperson Marge Milne, also a breast cancer survivor, said the event was "terrific" for an inaugural event.

"I'm riding for many people who have breast cancer," Milne said. "For myself, it's been a turning point in my life. My life has gotten much better. I don't recommend breast cancer as a turning point, but if it happens, use it."

Photos: Andrea Stiles (above right), a manager at the Colorado Mountain Brewery, won a new mountain bike, compliments of Criterium Bike Shop.

Riders rolled out early for the 72-mile loop (above left).

Below, Iraq war vet Justin Widhalm, 2001 world mountain bike champion Alison Dunlap, and breast cancer survivor Marge Milne were the event's honorary chairs.