Getting Stung at the 2011 Steamboat Stinger

Race report by Shawn Lortie

(July 24, 2011) STEAMBOAT, Colo.-Approximately 350 racers toed the line at the inaugural Honey Stinger, Steamboat Stinger 50 mile mountain bike race to test out the new course that began in town at Howelson Hill and sent riders out on a challenging loop full of classic singletrack and loads of climbing. Mother nature delivered a perfect Rocky Mountain day with warm temps and sunny skies for the riders as they set out for a day of suffering through meadows of wildflowers, quaking aspen groves, and fields of sage.

Solo riders would tackle two 25-mile laps, while the duo team riders would each ride one lap. Each lap consisted of about 4000 ft. of climbing, which began immediately off the start line with a stout grind up the face of Howelson hill ski area. In the Men’s Open race, Bryan Alders (Epic Endurance) grabbed the hole shot off the dirt service road onto the singletrack as the rest of the top riders filed in behind him. A huge line of riders stretched out behind as the brutal climb made short work of sorting the pack into its natural order.

By the time the leaders dropped into the aid station on the backside of the course, Alders was still in the lead, but Alex Grant (Cannondale), and Kalan Beisel (Pro Cycling) were close behind. After a short two-mile spin up the dirt road, it was back into the singletrack for a long steady climb back up and over Emerald Mountain to the start/finish line. At the end of the first lap, Peter Kalmes (Honey Stinger) had moved into the lead with Beisel and Grant right on his wheel up the ski hill climb.

On the climb out from the backside on the second lap, Grant had put two minutes on a chasing Alders, and was able to grow the gap to about 9 minutes by the time the Cannondale rider crossed the line to take the win with a time of 4:13:55. Meanwhile, Alders and Beisel battled to the very end, with Alders eventually taking second by a mere 15 seconds over Beisel. A charging Daniel Matheny (Honey Stinger) came in for a forth place finish with Peter Kalmes, paying for his time off the front, coming in 5^th.

Beisel had this to say about the race; “The course was rad! It was the perfect blend of gear grinding climbs and ripping descents. The vibe and the event as a whole was great. You can always tell the promoters who care about their venue, and most importantly their racers.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the classes, as praise for the course and the event as a whole flowed from racers of all abilites.

In the Women’s Open class, Katie Compton put her stamp of authority on the race from the gun. Sporting her new Robobank kit, Compton rode steady from the start, putting time on a chasing Kelly Boniface (Moots) and the ever-young Tammy Jacques (Erickson). By the end of two laps, Compton took the win with a time of 4:50:00, the only lady to finish under 5 hours. Boniface took second with Jacques only 5 minutes behind. 

Another epic battle was waged in the single speed class as Dax Massey (Honey Stinger), riding a rigid bike, fought it out with Jesse Swift (Bike Parts.com) the entire race. The two went back and forth throughout the day as they stomped the pedals up the climbs and flowed through the descents. By the end of the race, the cord connecting the two was so strong, that they finished together in a show of sportsmanship and camaraderie, both finishing with impressive times of 4:50:44.  

At the finish, Honey Stinger pulled out all the stops with a Bluegrass band, food, and refreshing beverages for all in attendance. With a spectacular venue, an epic course with 90% singletrack, wildflowers galore, and views to kill for, there is no doubt that this race will become a classic on the MTB Endurance circuit!

For full results see: Online Race Results