Sandia Peak Challenge and Snowmass

The mountain bikers of Team F.I.Taos were out in full force on July 12th, competing in both Sandia, NM and Snowmass, CO. The Sandia Peak Challenge course was basically 8 miles of climbing followed by 8 miles of gradual descending. Beginners and Sports did one lap while Experts and Pros did two.

Haley Rach was the youngest finisher out there and won the Beginner Women's 18 and under division with her usual gutsy riding style. Cat Legere had a great race to take 1st in the Beginner Women's 19+ group. Though she really had no competition, she rode hard and had fun anyway. Bob Franklin won his race for about 30 seconds until he discovered that there were two other "old guys" (his words, not mine) in front of him at the finish! He took 3rd place and is riding stronger and faster every race. Caleb Maher, Bailey Corry, and Boden Franklin were all in the Beginner Junior Men's 18 and under group. Boden had bad luck with a flat tire he was not able to change (I think he now has a quick release skewer). Caleb punched it and took the win with Bailey finishing strong in 2nd place. Next time, I think Caleb will double check the air pressure in his front tire and not race with 70+ psi in there. Tim Gallegos, a new team member from Albuquerque, showed us his best and took 1st in the Beginner Men's 30-39 division! Greg Rach and Jacob Gonzales both raced the Sport 30-39 race and finished in 5th and 6th place, respectively. Sean Cassily finished 10th in the Expert 30-39 field. The Team loved the course but there could have been more organization (like finish times). Susie's ankle provided some colorful entertainment for the whole team during the BBQ (and is healing quite well, thank you).

While most of us were in NM, young up-n-comer, Scott Warren needed more competition and raced a Mountain States Cup event in Snowmass, CO. It sounded like it was ridiculously hot and dusty for Blast the Mass. Scott pulled off a 7th place finish in the Expert 19-29 race, in spite of running out of water early in his last lap (ooops).

EVERYONE SHOULD PLAN ON RACING OUR LOCAL KICKIN' RACE: FRAZER MOUNTAIN MADNESS ON JULY 26-27!!!!!!