Team F.I.Taos Kicked It at the Chile Challenge

17 Team F.I.Taos racers, ages 8-64, in Angel Fire on Sunday May 24. A tough climb and an exciting descent just made TFT members say, "WEEEEEEEEEEE!". The day included crashes by most racers (some more than others), mud, sweat, sun, cowbells ringing, photos, passing, being passed, almost passing out, and that great feeling you get when you finish! Lots of podium spots were taken by our team!!

Lewis Gaffney won the Junior Sport race , Donna Dallas won the Sport 40+ race in her first mountain bike race ever, Forest Rach finished the beginner course (8 years old and with only a few gears), Greg Rach showed how it's done in the men's sport division, Jake Gonzales improved on the climbs and let it rip on the descents, Bob Franklin was the 64 year old guy racing the 20 year old beginner guys and he beat a few of them handily, AC Franklin had a surprise start time and missed a warm up but still easily won the Sport Junior group (and then went out for another lap and said, "That felt better!"), Haley Rach and Carolina McGarity finished one second apart, Caleb Maher said he crashed a lot but took 3rd in Junior Beginner with Duke Jackson hot on his heels (loving his new bike), Bailey Corry said he got tired so he stopped for awhile (still finished great), Boden Franklin rode and chatted with Bailey for part of the race, Victoria Henry was on course longer than anyone and finished with a smile in the Sport race, Carlos learned just how far 14 miles can feel some days (but he finished and did a great job), Sean (aka "Chubs") really really liked the descending and had his most spectacular crash in a long time.

Junior Beginner Men 14 and under
Caleb Maher 3rd

Duke Jackson 4th

Bailey Corry 5th

Boden Franklin 6th

Forest Rach 7th


Junior Beginner Men 15-18
Robbie deBurlo 5th


Junior Beginner and Sport Women
A.C. Franklin 1st

Haley Rach 3rd

Carolina McGarity 4th


Beginner Men 19+
Bob Franklin 7th


Sport Women 19-29
Victoria Henry 9th


Sport Women 40+
Donna Dallas 1st

Donna was so speedy our photographer
did not even know she was there.

Junior Sport Men 14-19
Lewis Gaffney 1st


Sport Men 35-39
Greg Rach 4th

Jacob Gonzales 9th


Sport Men 40+
Carlos McGarity 16th


Expert Men 35-39
Sean Cassily 14th

Practice TT Hill Climb a Success!

Seven riders came out on Monday May 19 for the test run of the TSV Hill Climb. It was a perfect collection of Team members including ages 10-64, men and women, mountain and road bikes! The fastest rider of the evening was 14 year old Isaiah who had ridden the Santa Fe Century the previous day...we'll be keeping an eye on him! Haley Rach (age 10) is the youngest person I know who has ridden that climb and she did it on a mountain bike, went fast, and had a super strong finish. Our other junior who rode was Leyton Cassidy. She rode very strong and is looking forward to getting clipless pedals!

Some riders used the practice wisely to sort out equipment issues.

Thanks for coming out and we are really excited about the first "real" hill climb (complete with prizes and unofficial results) on June 4th at 6pm.

Haley Rach (10)

Greg Rach

Dan Cassidy

Leyton Cassidy (13)

Bob Franklin

Isaiah Tyree (14)

Brendan Curran

Team Family Mountain Bike Rides

Our Wednesday Night Family Mountain Bike Rides will be held most Wednesdays throughout the summer. Some will be replaced with TSV Hill Climb and Short Track events (which families are encouraged to attend). The first Family ride will be on June 11 at 6:00PM (une 4 is a Hill Climb night). We will post meeting places a few days before each ride. The more the merrier!!!!

Upcoming Events!

Hey Everyone! Things are going GREAT so far this season. We have a bunch of riders of ALL ages and ALL abilities who are getting out and having fun. New riders can join anytime by going to www.fitaos.org/team.php We've already had Team F.I.Taos folks race in the Tour of the Gila, La Tierra Torture, and Tour of Socorro. We've also been visible at some other events including the TFT Spring Training and BBQ, Santa Fe Century, and the practice TSV Hill Climb! The Chile Challenge is coming right up so get registered!

These are a few events that we should try to have a strong TEAM showing...get those jerseys on and ride.

May 24-25 Chile Challenge (mountain bike racing) Angel Fire, NM

June 1 Taos Cycle Club/Team F.I.Taos Event (road/mountain) Wild Rivers Recreation Area

June 4 Team F.I.Taos TSV Evening Hill Climb Time Trial (road/mountain) 6:00PM

June 7 Tour de Taos (all ages and abilities, fun ride through town to raise bicycle awareness)

June 14 TP to TA Road Race (US 64)

June 21-22 Wildflower Rush (mountain bike race) Crested Butte, CO

June 25 Team F.I.Taos TSV Short Track PRACTICE (mountain) 6:00PM