Mountain Biking

Olympic Mountain Biker, Todd Wells, Takes Altitude Training to New Heights

Submitted by Amy Thompson on

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The Denver Post recently featured a fascinating article about Olympic mountain biker Todd Wells of Durango, including some of his interesting training techniques.

If Olympic mountain biker Todd Wells had his way, he would train even higher than Durango is. Unfortunately for him, the trails are really lousy around Mount Everest.

Housewife on a Pink Bike: How Beer and a Creek Crossing got me through 15 Miles.

Submitted by Cheri Felix on

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I know you are probably wondering about my training regimen. How do I prepare for a 15 mile race at altitude? Well, it starts with me having a beer the night before in the Winterpark Village. The bartender asked what I was up to. I told him I was there for the Epic Singletrack race. With surprise on his face he said, “Wow. Cool.” I couldn’t tell if that was a “Wow. She’s so young and hot and she mountain bikes too?” or a “Wow. She’s older than my mom. She could break something.” Either way, I took it as a compliment. Someone else asked me if I had looked at the course ahead of time or read about it. Nah I said. This is going to be the like the three times I gave birth. No reading about it, no classes. Just show up and hope it all works out.

Somewhere between the start line and 20 feet up the trail I thought, "Why do I do this?” And then maybe around mile three I thought, “That’s it. This is my last race.” That happens sometimes. Negative Nelly shows up. I know you can’t believe that happens to this Pollyanna. But it’s true and rather than give you a bunch of bull crap about how every minute was amazing and beautiful and glorious, I will cut to the chase. It wasn’t. Some parts were really tough. And it wasn’t until about mile five or maybe it was the first creek crossing; I pulled my head out of my ass. Going through the creek with all my might was what Oprah calls my AHA moment.

It’s Not About the Bike. It’s About the Epic Singletrack Race: How a Housewife Plans to Survive 15 Miles of Racing.

Submitted by Cheri Felix on

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I have this thing. I sometimes complain. But one thing I won’t complain about is a long bike ride. Some of my best days on the bike have been 15+ mile days (hey, that’s a lot for mountain bikers). But it’s one thing to be on a ride with your best girl pals in the desert. It’s a whole other enchilada racing for 15 miles and at altitude to boot. And as the days creep closer to the Epic Singletrack race, I can’t help but think, “What was I thinking when I agreed to do this?”


Author, Cheri Felix rides Fruita
Cheri will be taking on race #2 at the Epic Singletrack race series this upcoming Saturday in Winter Park.

40 minutes, 8 miles and 20 minute short track races. This is it. This is my race experience. If I was creating a match dot com profile for mountain bike racing, it would read pretty poorly. All I might garner are guys who like girls on the margins. The peripheral girl. Not quite a virgin but definitely not experienced. That’s me. The girl who is much like the old Sesame Street skit where there is one thing that’s not like the other.

It’s not that I don’t belong on a mountain bike or even in a race. It’s that I never quite seem like I’m in the right place. It’s like I’m in middle school all over again and I can’t seem to find my group. I’m not super cool. I’m not techy. I don’t wear a kit. My bike is older. Gasp, it’s NOT a 29er. And my bike is pink. I know what you’re thinking. “Really? Pink?” When I bought it, my husband said, “This bike is all pink. Are you able to commit to that for the long term?” I guess I was.

Beti Bike Bash from the Inside

Submitted by Cheri Felix on

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Photo Credit: Jendz Photography

My Beti Bike Bash: Race, Don’t Podium, Repeat. Why I Love to Race Even Though I Never Win.

My friends are amazed I race. It’s not that I race expert or that I always win. It’s that I don’t win. And I’m no expert. I’ve never won or been on the podium. Except once. Last year I placed first in my category at a race held at the Valmont Bike Park. O.K. So I was the only woman in my category. Oh well. It’s still the podium I guess. I think people think you have to win or at least come close to winning to want to race. That’s sort of like only trying things (like marriage, having kids, a new job,) if you think you’ll be good at it or be the best. Wow. Our country would go to hell in a hand basket if everyone operated that way.

Winter Park Hill Climb

Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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Learn more about Winter Park Mountain Bike Series

COURSE DESCRIPTION
A 5.2 mile non-technical hill climb with a 2,062 foot elevation gain. The course starts at the base of the Winter Park Resort and climbs to the top of Mary Jane Ski Area following the mountain service road. At the finish at Lunch Rock you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the Continental Divide and Fraser Valley.

DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR PRE-RIDERS:
Strava Segment

Start is at the base of the mountain road, just past the Sorensen Park sign on the north end of the base area.

* Follow the road up and past Tunnel Hill.
* Right after Tunnel Hill the climb gets a bit steeper, turn right at the intersection about 100 yards after Tunnel Hill.
* You'll pass four switchbacks, with the last one being out on a ski trail. About 100 yards after the fourth switchback, turn left at the intersection.
* This section eases up and is fast to 5 Points. Continue straight and the climb will get tougher again. Eventually you'll come out at the base of the High Lonesome chairlift, turn left here staying on the main road.

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