The Lory State Park MTB series, homegrown in Fort Collins, has been running strong and enjoying healthy turnouts of riders from the ranks of local tots to international pros in its inaugural season.
The series is held at Lory State Park beginning on August 3, and runs for each of the following three consecutive weeks. Registration begins at 4:30PM and closes at 5:45PM on each race day; the fee for those over 18 years of age is $10, while those aged 18 and under race for free.
The series is organized by the Ciclismo Cycling Youth Foundation, beneficiary of the race proceeds.
Team rider Lora Heckman has been on hand helping with the race organization.
Mark Zabel has been competing in the races, and describes his run during Week 2 (August 10) as follows:
“Course conditions were perfect and everyone I talked with had a blast. I ate dirt four times on the course, once uphill on Timber!?! That dropped me from third to fifth, but I passed one of the guys again down Kimmons. Then I fell in three different corners on the way back on East Valley trying to catch another guy just in front of me, but only ground more dirt in my bleeding elbow, knee, and hip. Geez, maybe I need to stick to the road. NO WAY, Man! Kimmons was super-cool and The Valley was way fast and furious. Seems to be a little confusion on the results – I apparently did not finish. TWICE. Once as #104 and once as #122. No matter - I did finish, bruised and bloody but ready for more!”
Following the last race of the season on 8/24, Mark reports, “I checked my finish from the race last night, just to make sure I wasn’t DNF’d again. Finished 6th, losing a really cool battle with two other dudes for fourth. We went back and forth the last five miles or so. On the upside, I was “Timber King”, finishing first on the climb, then was passed by five guys on the descent. Such is my mountain biking career!”
Thomas Borch has also been riding and providing his 5 year-old son, Sebastian, a taste of the race circuit.
Thomas Borch (#621) lining up at the start of the Lory Mountain Challenge
Thomas reports, “My son Sebastian and I raced at the Lory State Mountain Challenge August 17th in the Kids under 8 and OPEN/PRO category, respectively. My 5 year old son took 4th on his Specialized Hotrock 16.”
Thomas Borch and son, Sebastian, pre-race at the Lory Mountain Challenge
This '09 Specialized Hot Rock 16" alloy steed was Sebastian Borch's weapon of choice at the Lory Mountain Challenge. Sebastian opted for the heavy modification of going without training wheels which helped him to his outstanding 4th place finish in the Kids Under-8 category.
Thomas continues, “There were 21 starting riders in the pro/open class out of which 14 finished. I had two crashes during the race one of which really hurt since I basically decelerated from 20 mph to 0 MPH in one second, with just 2 miles to go, and made a classic somersault over the handlebar.”
Thomas Borch paying the departure tax after visiting Endo City at the Lory Mountain Challenge.
“After straightening my handlebar out I was able to get back on the bike and finish in 8th place (time: 1:06:37). The race course consist of mostly single-track with several technical sections and great downhills.”
Team Peloton-Specialized next-generation rider, Sebastian Borch, aged 5, son of Thomas Borch, coming in for a 4th place finish. Congratulations, Sebastian! We are so proud of you!
And, although Team Rider John Holcombe has been out on injured reserve (see post), John hasn’t been keeping away from the action. His daughter, Emily, took 3rd, 2nd, and 2nd at the last three races, respectively, in the Kids Under-8 category. We are happy to report that after 3 months of recovery, John is back on the bike!
Emily Holcombe, daughter of John Holcombe, setting the pace to a 2nd place finish in the Kids Under-8 category. Congratulations, Emily! Team Peloton-Specialized has a very hopeful future!
The Specialized Hotrock Girls 20" 6-Speed: The ride of choice of Emily Holcombe, daughter of John Holcombe. Blazing fast like their owners, complete with 50mm-travel suspension fork, cantilever brakes, and 6-speed drivetrain headed by a 36T chainring. Can you handle it?
For event updates and results, see YourGroupRide and eventr.com.
Many thanks to the organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and participants of this excellent race series to which we look forward to many subsequent seasons!