Desert RATS Classic

By Eddie Clark  

(May 14, 2011) FRUITA, Colo.—Gemini Adventures definitely got off on the good foot with their first running of the Desert RATS Classic mountain bike race, which in storied Kokopelli fashion lead racers happily across the 107 kilometers of challenging desert terrain.  Held on the arid western slope of Colorado and eastern Utah, the race was contested entirely on the famous Kokopelli Trail.  Racers started under cool blue skies with a brisk 7am start from the main parking area of Rabbit Valley for a fantastic desert adventure, and were rewarded with a pleasant tail wind on the finishing leg of the race.

Short for Race Across The Sand, the Desert RATS Classic had no shortage of wheel sucking sandy sections that put riders at their wits end.  The course also featured mostly smooth double track and rocky primitive 4x4 road with undulating changes in elevation for 53.5 kilometers before riders reached the Cisco aid station in Utah. 

Once at Cisco, racers could delve into their drop bags for their personal recharge stash to get them the remaining 53.5k back to the finish.  Fortunately, the race promoters had a total of five aid stations with one additional water drop to keep racers hydrated and fueled to complete their desert adventure.

To say it was refreshingly well run would be an understatement.  “This was fun, it was a really fast course and well marked” said Sport class racer Jonathan Pulley of Westminster, Colo.  “I just missed 5 hrs by a minute.  I came out here a few weeks back to see what it was like. It’s a lot faster now, but some of those rough sections and sandpits really suck you in and drain you.  It was really well put on.”

Surprisingly, all of the Pro/Open racers and even some of the Sport racers finished in under 5 hours due to the previous weeks rains firming up the notoriously sandy trail.  As an extra reward, everyone who finished in less than 6 hours was given a sub 6 hour award.  Awards were also given 3 places deep in all categories for men and women.

In the Pro/Open race, Michael Schoenly took top honors with a time of 4:18:26 followed by Chad Edwards in second and the Mountain Flyer’s own Technical Editor Jordan Carr in third.  Ken Kreidl took the Men’s Sport race with a time of 4:40:23, and Crystal Miller was the first Women’s Sport finisher at 5:26:27.  Single speed racer Steve Reiter posted an impressive time of 4:33:41 for first place in the Singlespeed race, and Dan and Bevin Orlinsky won the Tandem category with a time of 5:16:18 aboard their custom stealth Fandango 29’er.

Full results here.

More photos here.