Bruce Runnels, Scott Ellis, and Bill Frielingsdorf represented the Peloton-Specialized Cycling Team at the Bicycle Tour of Colorado which is a 6-7 day tour that takes place every June.
(L-R) Bruce Runnels, Scott Ellis, and Bill Frielingsdorf sporting the team colors as they enter New Mexico on Day 3 of the Bicycle Tour of Colorado
The Tour takes cyclists on a different route each year, but always includes a few challenging passes and showcases Colorado’s spectacular scenery.
This year’s 470+ mile loop started and ended in Gunnison, and included overnight stays in Creede, Alamosa, Chama NM, Pagosa Springs, and Center.
The brochure with route and elevation for the 2010 BTC. (Click image to enlarge in new window).
The shortest day of the tour consisted of 50 miles, while the longest day was 106 miles. Passes included Slumgullion (11,361’), Spring Creek (10,901’), La Manga (10,320’), Cumbres (10,022’), Wolf Creek (10,850’)and North Cochotopa (10,149’).
Backed with title sponsorship by Peloton Cycles, the 3rd annual Rist Canyon Hill Climb on Saturday, June 5, 2010, saw a terrific turnout by a large number of Team Peloton-Specialized riders including Thomas Borch (1:35:21 SM35+), Bill Frielingsdorf (1:35:06 SM35+ 4), Mike Hegdal (1:32:19 SM35+), Jimi Killen (1:32:07 SM35+), Bruce Runnels (1:53:48 SM55+), Greg Scanlan (1:43:08 SM35+ 3), Rudy Schuster (1:40:04 SM35+ 4) Ric Slayden (1:36:03 SM35+), Ron Tjalkens (1:45:30 SM35+), and Mike Williams (1:30:11 SM45+).
Grinnin' before the gruelin': Team Riders (L-R) Ric Slayden, Thomas Borch, Jimi Killen, Ron Tjalkens, Rudy Schuster. Photo: Ron Tjalkens
Teammate Mark Zabel provided race support, and provided the following recap:
“I worked the corner just above Hughes Stadium, which proved to be pretty exciting. Really fast tricky corner as you come down from the first Horsetooth dam, the road turns right to a T-intersection where riders had to make a quick left. Three riders weren’t quick enough and rode right of the road into the little culvert there. Two got back on their bikes to finish the race. One guy tried to ride out of it, but hit another ditch that flipped him pretty spectacularly. He ended up with a broken collarbone and shattered elbow – ouch! But all the Peloton-Specialized guys looked strong coming through that little chicane – I remember seeing Mike Williams, Greg Scanlan, Ric Slayden, Thomas Borch, Ron Tjalkens, Rudy Schuster! Nice job fellas!”
Ric Slayden laying down the watts
Over 400 racers in total turned out to pit each other and themselves against the notorious 26.7 mile route that is one of the hallmarks of northern Front Range cycling which sees grades of nearly 12%.
We congratulate our teammates and other racers, and thank the race organizers, sponsors, and volunteers for continuing this landmark tradition.
Nothing like getting chased by a bear to up the cadence... and heart rate. Photo: Brian Bass
Videos below from 2009 by the Rocky Mountain Collegian and Rob Noble
What more could any marathon/half-marathon/5K/10K athlete want from the picture-perfect morning on which to run the 2010 Colorado Marathon?
How about a unique bicycle escort by the cyclists of Peloton-Specialized?
Ahead of the lead runners followed by the teeming packs coming through the Poudre Canyon and Poudre Trail, team riders Dustin Folger, Kurt Ireland, Nick Davis, Sam Acheson, Bruce Runnels, and Jim Fu helped clear traffic off the race course, motivate the athletes to strong finishes, and clean up after the race was completed.
Congratulations to all of the winners and participants, whether qualifying for the Boston Marathon or entering their first race, and many thanks to the fellow supporters and sponsors of this race series run on America’s Most Scenic Course!
