Los Alamos mountain bike team goes the distance at Albuquerque Dirt Fiesta – Los Alamos Reporter
Jim and James Tyldesley at the ABQ Dirt Fiesta after 12 hours of racing. Courtesy photo
Cullen McLean rushes to the transition zone with adult athletes on his heels. Courtesy photo
Esther Grow discusses racing tactics with teammate Adalee Witt during the transition. Courtesy photo
BY PAULA KNEPPER
Coach
Los Alamos MTB Team
Have you ever wanted a hot fresh donut while enjoying a nice day in the mountains on your bike? If you had this desire, it would have been satiated by the Albuquerque (ABQ) Dirt Fiesta promoters, Zia Rides on Saturday. ABQ Dirt Fiesta took place in the Cibola National Forest at the Oak Flats recreational area offered soloist, duos and teams of three to four mountain bikers the opportunity to test their courage and endurance in either 6 or 12 hour alpine racing course.
The 12-mile course, with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, athletes pushing heart-pumping climbs, technical chunky descents, and lots of fast-flowy alpine meadows and was equipped with a donut aid station at the les soloists, halfway P. the duos and the teams with the most laps in the 6 or 12 hour period earned a spot on the podium, as well as serious bragging rights, while enjoying a few donuts along path
Los Alamos High and Middle School Mountain Bike members and team coaches joined forces to participate in this endurance event. The 12 hour duets included Adalee Witt and Esther Grow, James and Jim Tyldesley, and Josh and Mary Grow. 12- The teams of the hour included team McLean Madness (Ian, Cullen and Chris McLean and Paula Knepper), and the Moulton family (Joshua, Jonathan and Travis Moulton). Calvin Cultivate competed in the race for the Biere Root Team ‌ the 6 hour event‌.‌ ‌ ‌
Some 400 competitors welcomed the sunrise at the ABQ Dirt Fiesta with a Le Mans style start on Saturday morning. Le Mans style starts are frequently used in motor racing requiring athletes to run to their vehicle when the flag is dropped. In this case, the cyclists ran from the start line to the smart timing transition zone which was less than a mile, but the cyclists were at a bit of a disadvantage while running while wearing clipping shoes. bike, helmets and hydration systems before they reach their steed confidence‌ ‌for‌ a‌ grueling‌ ‌12-‌ ‌hours‌ on‌ the‌ saddle.‌ ‌
Athletes had to maintain attention and self-awareness navigating the technical terrain and assessing potential risks while balancing the need to refuel and hydrate during this event. epic Los Alamos athletes went the distance finished smoking fast laps, some in less than an hour, and‌ persevering‌ ‌ despite‌ several‌ shows‌ mechanical stop.
Adalee‌ ‌Witt‌ ‌and‌ ‌Esther‌ ‌Grow, ‌ ‌senior‌ ‌and‌ ‌junior‌ ‌Los‌ ‌Alamos‌ ‌High‌ ‌School, ‌ take ‌the‌ ‌3‌rd‌-place on the podium for junior duos who complete 9 laps won by riding over 108 miles in less than 12 hours. Several of the areas including 12 hour junior duo, adult and junior duo, single speed solo, and adult and junior teams were the mixed men and women categories proving our women competitors can lead a team to victory. Adalee and Esther won the podium in an area of ​​all male competitors that is an accomplishment. impressive
McLean‌ ‌Madness‌ won‌ first place‌ on‌the‌ team‌ podium‌ with‌ over‌ 120‌ miles‌ ‌and‌10‌ laps. Ian‌ and‌ ‌Cullen‌ ‌McLean, ‌ a 7‌e leveler‌ to ‌Los‌ ‌Alamos‌ ‌Middle‌ ‌School‌ ‌and‌ ‌a 5‌e Mountain Elementary School grader did not rely on their parents to earn the high point on the podium. Ian and Cullen each charge over 24 miles of chaperone singletrack during the relay. The Moulton family got the 3rd‌‌ place team finish. Joshua Moulton, a senior at Los Alamos High School, not only earned a top spot on the podium, but returned to Los Alamos in time for the homecoming dance after 12 hours of bike racing. ??
James Tyldesley conquered 60 miles in 5 hours 25 minutes. James and Jim Tyldesley completed a jaw drop 10 laps just missing the podium per minute and were followed by Josh Cultivate, a senior LAHS, and Mary Grow, head of the Los Alamos Mountain Bike team coach.
Mary Grow and Adalee Witt ran across the finish line along with a few seconds to spare as the sun set over the Sandia Mountains. The ABQ Dirt Fiesta provided family fun for all ages and tested the courage of our young Los Alamos and cyclists. adults ‌Tourne out‌ ‌Los‌ ‌Alamos‌ ‌Mountain‌ ‌Bike‌ ‌Team‌ ‌members‌ go ‌the‌ ‌distance‌ ‌with‌ ‌ spirit‌ ‌and‌ tenacity‌ ‌learning‌ ‌life‌ ‌lessons‌ ‌and‌ building‌ friendships.‌ friendships.
For those interested, the team currently sells t-shirts as a fundraiser. Please consider supporting the team by purchasing a perfect t-shirt to roll around town or show your community spirit at https: //www.customink.com / fundraising / la-mtn -bike-team-shirts-2906‌ ‌
Los‌ ‌Alamos‌ ‌High‌ ‌and‌ ‌Middle‌ ‌School‌ ‌Mountain‌ ‌Bike‌ team‌ ‌members‌ next to ‌competition‌ in ‌Arizona‌ ‌Nordic‌ ‌Village, ‌ ‌Flagstaff‌ ‌on‌ ‌Sept. 25‌ ‌for‌ the‌ ‌second‌ National‌ ‌Interscolaire‌ ‌Cycling‌ ‌Association‌ ‌course‌ ‌de‌ ‌the‌ ‌saison.‌ ‌ ‌
‌For‌ ‌more‌ information‌ ‌on‌ ‌Zia‌ ‌Rides‌ ‌et‌ ‌ABQ‌ ‌Dirt‌ ‌Fiesta‌ ‌results‌ ‌voir‌ https://ziarides.com/event/albuquerque-dirt-fiesta/‌ ‌
Mary Grow, Head Coach of the Los Alamos Mountain Bike Team, with Esther Grow and Adalee Witt after 12 hours of racing. Courtesy photo
Ian McLean rides his bike through the exchange chute to transition between relay runners on Team McLean Madness. Courtesy photo
Ian, Cullen and Chris McLean and Paula Knepper of Team McLean Madness won the 1st place on the podium with Travis and Jonathan Moulton (not pictured Joshua Moulton) taking the 3rd place for the 12-hour adult and junior team. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos High and Middle School team with coaches celebrating a successful race day. James Tyldesley, Travis Moulton, Jonathan Moulton, Mary Grow, Paula Knepper, Chris McLean, Jim Tyldesley (front row), Cullen McLean, Ian McLean, Esther Grow and Adalee Witt (back row). Butterflies and ladybugs were awarded to the first and third respectively. Courtesy photo
Esther Grow and Adalee Witt on the podium accepting 3rd place for the 12 hour junior duo race. Courtesy photo
Calvin Grow expects his teammate to transition in the 6 hour race. Courtesy photo