Blue skies, yellow aspens greet CB Classic

“Stellar day, stellar turnout, stellar everything”

Close to 70 bike enthusiasts joined in on the seventh annual CB Classic “fun” ride on Saturday, September 25, leaving the Four-way Stop at 6:30 a.m. destined for 100 miles on pedal-turning fun.
In the end, Golden, Colo. resident and 2010 Growler champion and Trek/Bontrager/Ay-Up Lighting rider Kelly Magelky took the men’s title in a time of eight hours, 13 minutes and Crested Butte Community School Spanish teacher and Brick Oven/Crested Butte Builders athlete Heather McDowell won the women’s title in a time of 10 hours, 57 minutes.
The CB Classic brings the bike season to a triumphant close for some riders and gives them the opportunity to ride Strand, Deer Creek, Lower Loop, Slate D’Huez, 403, 401, Wagon Trail and the Dyke all in one day under the watchful eye of several friends and the clock.
On the men’s side of things, a gaggle of local iron-legged, human lungs lined up for another shot at the title but no one could hang with Magelky.
Magelky first rode the CB Classic three years ago with no knowledge of the course, and a couple of missed turns forced him out of the race after two loops.
Last year, he went into the final loop with the lead but had to wait for Team Alpine Orthopaedics rider Jeff Irwin so he wouldn’t get lost again. In the end, the two opted to cross the finish together for a tie.
This year, Magelky admits he was on a mission as he prepares for the 24-hour national championships—the 24 Hours of Moab—in two weeks.
“I was gunning for the win,” says Magelky. “I’m gearing up for Moab.”  
It was during the first loop that he made his move and never looked back.
“I felt really good and I thought I better take advantage of that,” says Magelky. “Pretty much everything went to plan.”
Magelky did feel a pinch on the Dyke Trail but a quick feed got him to the other side of Kebler.
“I got off my bike for a few seconds and ate some licorice and Fig Newtons,” says Magelky.
As he turned back up Kebler, Magelky recharged one last time at a neutral aid station, complete with bacon and Coca-Cola.
“That was rocket fuel for me,” says Magelky.
The win further propels Magelky into Moab feeling strong.
“You get some confidence because if you’re able to hang with the locals in Crested Butte, it’s a good sign,” says Magelky.
Gunnison rider Brian Smith took second place and Brick Oven/Crested Butte Builders rider and 24 Hours in the Sage solo champion Dan Loftus broke onto the podium this year, coming in third.
McDowell tested the waters of the CB Classic for the first time last year and came in fourth.
This year, McDowell spent the first 40 miles unaware of where she was in the standings.
“At mile 40 Krista Powers told me and Sydney Fuller we were in second place,” says McDowell. “That was news to me.”
McDowell kept plugging along until the final climb out of Horse Ranch Park when she caught sight of the leader, Becky Sears, and reeled her in.
“I think I had done a good job of conserving energy all day so I could give it all I had and go,” says McDowell.
By the time she reached the top of Kebler Pass, McDowell was in the lead and held it to the finish line, finishing a full hour faster than her time last year.
“It was easier because I knew what to expect and I knew a good pace for myself,” says McDowell.
Sears came in two minutes later in second place and Fuller took third.
“Stellar day, stellar turnout, stellar everything,” says ride organizer Dave Ochs. “Volunteers were out there big-time and the Avery Brewing Company and the Brick Oven kicked down huge.”