Greg Scanlan (bib #209) and Jim Fu (#92) represented Team Peloton-Specialized in the epic landscape of Gunnison, Colorado, at the Original Growler on Sunday, May 30, 2010.
Jim Fu (L) and Greg Scanlan at the near-freezing chilly start of the 2010 Original Growler. Photo: Junko Kazukawa
This was both riders’ first time to compete in this archetypal mountain bikers’ event which features a highly challenging “no beginners, please!” course consisting of 2×32 mile laps of technical terrain and 8000′ of climbing between 7700′-9000′ of elevation, a race organized and designed by the venerable Dave Wiens.
Overcoming mechanical issues early in the race which has been called “one of the three hardest 1-day MTB events in the USA” by past winner and podium seed Travis Brown, Greg charged on to finish with a time of 7:19:48. For Jim, who finished with a time of 8:27:42, it was a day that was as decidedly anomalous as it was experience-laden. For both, it was a tremendously worthwhile day with a return by the Team certain in this outstanding race’s future runnings.
Jim (center) mixing it up on Kill Hill's ~15% grade to greet and sort riders right at race start. Jari Kirkland (plate #131) finished 3rd Women's. Photo: PreRace.com
Greg rode his team-issue Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon Disc outfitted with SRAM XX; Jim was on his titanium hardtail build ahead of his transitioning to his new Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29.
Greg pulling G's in the Growler landscape. Photo: Devon Balet/MountainFlyer
See MountainFlyer.com and PreRace.com for more race coverage and photos.
Video below is by Rob O’Dea Photography