Thomas Borch, Bill Frielingsdorf, Jim Fu, and Greg Scanlan had their day under the Breckenridge sun at the 4th of July Firecracker 50/USAC Marathon National Championships.
This anything-can-happen race is as fast and competitive as it is fun and unpredictable with its epic course that is quintessentially mountain biking: high elevation, wooded singletrack, exposed fire roads, rutted downhills, rocky climbs, rushing ice-water crossings, and even enough pavement to remind the MTB’er why you love the dirt.
The Firecracker 50 course is a 2 x 25 mile route
Thomas Borch, former European pro, had a great day in spite of vexing mechanicals while racing this American championship event with a 1st place finishing time of 4:56:35.57 in the Cat 2 Men 35-39 division.
Thomas Borch approaching the start/finish area of the 2010 Firecracker 50
Bill Frielingsdorf (Cat 1 Men 35-39 19th Place 4:54:09.97) recalls, “I had a great time racing in Breckenridge! The weather was just about perfect. Maybe a little windy, but this kept things from getting too hot, which is good for a race that is very difficult in terms of staying hydrated. The Firecracker is a fantastic event for a lot of reasons. The atmosphere at the start is energizing. Being cheered on by all the people who are in Breckenridge for the 4th of July parade is a pretty special feeling. The racecourse itself includes grueling climbs, fast descents, and spectacular views. The aid stations and volunteers are numerous, and among the best you will find at any mountain bike event. I rode my 2010 S-Works Epic and wore my S-Works MTB shoes. In 2005 I rode the Firecracker on one of the original S-Works Epics. I wasn’t as fast this year, but I cannot blame the bike! Everything worked perfectly.” Bill is now looking ahead to racing the Laramie Enduro.
Bill Frielingsdorf leading the way to Iowa Mill at the Firecracker 50
Jim Fu (Cat 2 Men 35-39 7th Place 5:24:24.64) recaps, “This was the anniversary of my first year racing, so the race itself holds great sentiment to me, especially for all of the people that I met there last year and the great things that have been happening since. I had three goals: to improve on my time last year; to clean the French Gulch climb both times; and to ride a good technical race with no mechanicals or crashes. While I did shave 8 minutes from my time and finished 9 places ahead of last year, rear tire flats plagued me beginning from the descent of Sally Barber on the first lap and cost me about 15 minutes, but otherwise my Stumpy 29er was solid. Cleaning French Gulch the first time was really motivating, but the second time with the left turn at the hillcrest already in sight I let myself get blocked by walkers. Ouch! No crashes or cramps, however, and improving 4 places on my second lap is consistent with my observation that I pass many riders late in the race and end up with too many matches to burn at the finish. Lots more to learn, especially on optimizing pacing and nutrition. I’d like to take space to thank Peloton Cycles, Specialized Bicycle Components, American Classic, Ergon, Crank Brothers, Ritchey Logic, and, of course, my teammates, my family, my coach Yuki Saito, and all of my friends for their generosity and encouragement.” The Laramie Enduro is next on tap for Jim.
The 2010 Firecracker 50 marked the first anniversary of racing for team newcomer Jim Fu
Greg Scanlan (Cat 1 Men 40-49 20th Place 4:52:06.32) reports, “Coming into this race I was quite concerned that my effort from the Crested Butte Fat Tire 40 was going to affect me. The first lap went off as planned: heart rate and effort never hit redline. Never had to get off the bike. Lap 1 was the fastest I have turned by 8 minutes! Felt really confident coming through the feed zone heading back up. Lap two didn’t go as hoped. Seemed to lose the power in the legs and just couldn’t make consistent tempo. Had to fight through cramping all the way up French Gulch, and could do nothing about the riders that I was in front of wheeling by me! First lap 6th, second lap went backwards to 19th! I was hoping for better results, but I did beat my last year’s time by over 3 minutes. Next year, I need to come into this race with better recovered legs and go deeper into the Pain Cave on lap 2!” Greg will next race the Vic’s Espresso State Championships Crit in Longmont.
Greg Scanlan on a confident start to Lap 2 of the Firecracker 50
Greg and Bill finished together, and Bill provides the following addendum: “Greg rode a wheelie across the finish line, but I don’t think his wheelie skills are the equal of his crushing speed in criteriums and on the mountain bike. He lost control and crashed into the barriers. His stunt was an enormous crowd pleaser and he received a huge cheer from all of the spectators gathered at the finish in Carter Park.”
At the Firecracker 50, anything can happen!