The fifth annual 12 Hours of Mesa Verde mountain bike race went off without a hitch on Saturday at the Phils World mountain bike trail by the Montezuma County Fairgrounds east of Cortez.
More than 700 racers from around the world flocked to Montezuma County to compete. Racers were scored by the most laps finished in the allotted 12 hours with the fastest time on the 16.4-mile trail that has a 1,900-foot elevation gain. Event proceeds went toward Montezuma County Partners, a nonprofit organization that serves at-risk youths in Montezuma County and the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation.
The more we can help our youth, the better off well all be because theyre the future of our community, 12 Hours of Mesa Verde organizer Dani Gregory said about the partnership with Montezuma County Partners. We had a tremendous volunteer effort this year. We couldnt do this without the community support this year.
The local Kokopelli Bike & Board team represented well, as temperatures reached 81 degrees Fahrenheit by late afternoon. U.S. Cycling professional Shawn Gregory led the way for KB & B in the male singlespeed solo division with a third-place finish in seven laps and 114.80 miles, despite cycling with a bruised back and ribs.
It was tough in the heat, as far as Colorado goes. Last week, I was riding in a blizzard in Dolores, Shawn Gregory said. It was a tough day for me. Everything hurts on me. I felt really good my first two laps. I was in first, until the fifth lap. The jiggling and everything with the bumping at Stinking Springs, it was just kind of killing my kidneys. Im still glad I rode the whole race. I still got on the podium.
Teammate Paul Adams was right behind in fourth place, also at seven laps.
I think I ended up pouring more water on my head than drinking. I was trying to regulate my body temperature, Adams said about racing in the dry, hot conditions. It was an awesome venue; the timing system is fantastic. Just overall, it was a great, really fun event.
T.R. Larson of Montrose took 11th with six laps at 98.40 miles, and Jeff Hemperley of Rico was 24th at five laps and 82 miles.
This ones my favorite, Larson said. Gallup (N.M.) is a good one, too. This is a really good event. Im going to do it every year.
Hemperley feels the warm weather definitely played a role in the race.
The singlespeed solo class, its a tough category. Living in Rico, the cold temperatures Im used to, today was warm for me, he said. Lap four was tough on me. I got that gnashes, sick feeling. It is what it is. You just do the best that you can with the conditions. But great turnout. Awesome competition.
Kevin Thomas of Salida won the male solo singlespeed race at eight laps and 131.20 miles.
I just hanged together today, just worked, Thomas said. I dont compete much. I maybe do only one or two other races a year, but this one, as far as a circuit race, is a good one for sure. A super fun trail. The people here are awesome, super friendly.
The male duo singlespeed team of Terry Gorsuch and Jeff Fox placed fourth for KB & B. Fox broke his bike frame on the first lap and had to finish with a loaner, but he recovered nicely.
He still did good and hung in. Today was a good day, Gorsuch said about racing with Fox. Riding with these (teammates) guys, makes me a better rider. Theyre all fast, so we just go out and try to hang onto each other. It helps us all improve, I think.
Team 9ER with Kirby Bryant won the male duo singlespeed class with nine laps at 147.60 miles.
Other top finishes were Heather Gilbert, female solo singlespeed (six laps, 98.40 miles); Jeffrey Clapp, solo geezer (seven laps, 114.80 miles); Josh Tostado, solo male (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Jill Damman, solo female (seven laps, 114.80 miles); Jon Brown of team Alpin Ortho Duo, male duo (nine laps, 147.60 miles); Laura Anderson of team A.O. Chix, female duo (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Chris Holley of Team Holley, Coed duo (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Kelly McGrew of team Two Old Guys, duo geezer (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Chris Herling of team 3D Racing, Coed three-four person singlespeed (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Brian Fuentes of team Waltworks Fuentes Design, three-four male (nine laps, 147.60 miles); Sara Ballantyne of team Legends Women, three-four female (eight laps, 131.20 miles); Jennifer Gersbach of team WGG, Coed three-four (nine laps, 147. 60 miles); Chuck Bruni of team Arizona CCA, Geezer three-four (nine laps, 147.60); and Stephan Davoust of team Durango Devo Under-19, (nine laps, 147.60 miles).
Overall, I think it was great. Were getting great feedback, Dani Gregory said. We work hard to provide a high-class event with a grass roots field. I think its great for the community as a whole, outside the race itself. Thats one of our goals, is to help the community, too.
United Search and Rescue and Southwest Memorial Hospital provided medical care at the event.
For more information, visit www.12hoursofmesaverde.com.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.