Taking advantage of beautiful fall weather, cyclists of varying skill levels arrived in Dolores on Nov. 8 to compete in a cyclocross race.
Sponsored by the Durango Performance Center and several other organizations, the race was the first in a seven-race series that includes stops in Aztec, Durango, Cortez and Pagosa Springs.
Fifty-six cyclists signed up for the race in Dolores, which was held on a course that took riders through and around Joe Rowell Park.
“The course tested riders’ hand-eye coordination,” said Nicholas Jones, who owns Lizardhead Cyclery in Dolores. “It was a good course, but I wish I could have (placed) better.”
Competing in the Men’s B Division, Jones placed 20th overall.
Other local riders competing in the competing included Kokpelli Bike Club member Ashley Carelock, who placed sixth in the Open Women’s Division, which was won by Sarah Sturm. Mancos High School graduate and Fort Lewis College alum Courtney Ott placed 11th in the Women’s Open Division.
Keegan Swenson placed first in the Men’s A Division and Tyler Jones captured top honors in the Men’s B Division. Kokopelli Bike Club member Paul Adams took 14th in the Men’s B Division.
“There were some fast guys out there and the course this year was a little harder than last year,” said Adams. “It had a lot of thick grass sections that were really challenging.”
Next on the Durango Performance Center Cycloross Race Series schedule will be a race in Aztec on Nov. 15. The series will host a race in Cortez on Dec. 6. Cycling fans throughout the area are encouraged to attend.
“Cyclocross is a fun thing to watch and its an easy thing to watch because the course isn’t terribly long,” said Adams. “People can find one spot and spectate. It’s always a good time.”