Colorado CX State Championships Day 1

Report and Photos by Shawn Lortie

(December 17, 2011) CASTLE ROCK, Colo.-Day number one at this years Colorado State Championships challenged racers with classic cyclocross conditions on a course that demanded both power and skills. Short days and long nights have kept the snowpack on the ground for weeks, leaving the course at Ryholite Park a perfect mix of ice, snow, and mud as the weekends races got under way. 

The course was an excellent mix of power sections with plenty of tighter technical riding and a fair amount of climbing each lap. With course conditions being the way they were, smooth riding and avoiding contact with the ground paid off as many riders watched their competition ride away after a swim or two in the mud.  Although a large flyover was built on course, it proved a bit difficult and dangerous under the icy morning conditions, but as the day warmed up and small steps were added to the steep pitch, racers had a new obstacle to negotiate.

Everybody showed up with their “A” game ready, as 1.5x points were being awarded for the final race of the Colorado Cross Cup, and State Championship jerseys were up for grabs. Day one of racing saw the SW 4’s go off in the early morning with course conditions still mostly frozen. As the SM 55+ went off things were softening up quickly, and at 11:30 when the SM 45+ hit the course it was plenty muddy.

During a short mid-day break in the racing, the promoters put on a couple of extra challenging events including the frozen turkey pull in which riders pulled a turkey in a milkcrate around a TT course. In the relay, three member teams took turns slamming a milkshake and then riding a lap on the course on a fat tired snow bike. 

Racing resumed in the afternoon with the SM 3’s, the Singlespeed, and the SM 35+ classes pounding the course late into the afternoon. Dreams came true and hopes were dashed, as riders battled each other, and the course in their final races of the Colorado CX season.  

Thanks to Mother Nature for providing enough moisture to keep the majority of the season exciting with more than a few classic battles in the mud and snow, and thanks to all the race promoters who did their best to put on great events for us all to participate in!

Full results at:  ACA Results