The Bailey Hundo

JHK and Sonya Looney take top honors at Inaugural Bailey Hundo.

Race report and images by Shawn Lortie Photography

(June 19th, 2010) Bailey CO.—What began as an idea to hold a small underground race on the trails in the Bailey and Buffalo Creek area quickly grew into a full fledged 100 miler sponsored by four Colorado State Senators, Colorado Mountain Bike Association, and the Platte Canyon Chamber of Commerce. With proceeds of the race going to Trips for Kids Denver/Boulder, and the Colorado High School Cycling League, the word quickly got out that this was going to be a great race with some deserving beneficiaries.

By the time race day rolled around, names like Travis Brown, Dave Weins, JHK, Sonya Looney, and Ezster Horanyi pulled up to the line ready race. The course began in downtown Bailey and headed south towards the Colorado trail and the South Platte trail system. About 6 miles of rolling dirt road allowed the pack to sort itself out quickly. A group of about 15 riders, including JHK, Weins, Max Tam, Brian Alders, and Travis Brown, had pulled away by the time they reached the single track. Eight Miles of single track later at aid station #1, JHK had put a couple minute gap on a chasing Weins.

The trails in the area are generally hardpack with an abundance of loose ball bearing like material on top that made for some exciting cornering. The terrain tends toward fast rolling climbs and super fun descents that wind their way through granite rock gardens and small aspen stands amongst the native pine.

As the hours went by and the racers made there way up and down the various single track trails, hoots and hollers could be heard coming from the woods, and smiles were ear to ear. By about mile 45, JHK had built his gap of about 15 minutes on Weins and Brian Alders, who were now riding together.

A little over 50 miles into the race, the course underwent a dramatic change in character. Gone was the sweet single track of the first half of the race, now it was a brutal climb up Stoney Pass road back to Bailey. Traveling through a huge burn zone from a fire in 1996, the racers faced relentless sun, dust from passing cars, and at times a stiff headwind as they climbed the steep dirt road for nearly 20 miles.

When it was all over, JHK finished the 100 miles in 6 hours and 36 minutes, with Weins bringing back time in the end to finish only 12 minutes behind Jeremy. Twenty three year old Brian Alders came in a couple of minutes behind Weins, giving us a glimpse of what he has in mind for the future.

Sonya Looney Left the women’s field behind fairly early in the race and never looked back. Brenda Moczygemba and Mellissa Trainer finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Looney’s time put her in 28th place overall for the day, very impressive! Ezster Horanyi won the women’s single speed on a rigid 29 inch bike.

At the BBQ and awards ceremony after the race, the consensus among the riders was that the race was extremely fun and the event was run very well. Senator Romer, who completed the first 50 miles of single track before going over the bars on a steep descent and pulling out of the race, was excited about the future of the event. “We want to increase the number of racers in the future, but we also would like to keep it a smaller race that is catered toward the elite endurance racers.” With the way the event went off this year, there should be no problem attracting the best in the country to race in next year’s event.

For complete results, please visit The Bailey Hundo

For additional photos, please visit Shawn Lortie Photography

JHK, Weins, and Horanyi get ready to rumble. Check Ezster's Sponge Bob Jersey.	Dave Weins chasing JHK early in the race	Jason Stubbe holding off a couple of racers as he negotiates the bridge.
Sonya Looney seeking shelter from the hot sun.	JHK fifteen minutes off the front and enjoying the view.	Riders roll through the burn area about half way through the race.
Suffering up the Stoney Pass climb in the heat of the day.	Steep!!!	JHK and Weins with Senator Romer after the race.
Senator Brophy stapeling his number to the finishers board. Brophy was the only Senator to finish the entire race, not an easy task!