The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Opens season in Nathrop
Three young bike riders from Crested Butte lined up with 144 high school riders from across the state to race in the Colorado High School Cycling League’s inaugural mountain bike race. Chalk Creek near Nathrop was the host to the first of four races over September and October.
Josh Gallen, Tristan Kraatz and Michael Ryan competed in the sophomore and freshman races, each completing two laps of a very sandy and cactus-inundated course. While this was Ryan’s and Kraatz’s first mountain bike race, each performed up to the expectations of the Crested Butte coaches, finishing in the middle of the freshman pack and eager to jump into the next race.
Gallen, the only sophomore, had a bit more under his belt going into the race. He has been riding for a longer time and has raced before, including one race the week before Chalk Creek. But race experience didn’t stop Gallen from making the podium. He placed second after battling back and forth with winner Isaac Stackonis for 10 of the 12 miles of the race.
All three riders rode smart races, holding a good pace for each lap and finishing in good positions with positive attitudes.
It’s not too late to throw a leg over a bike and join the team. For more information contact head coach Torrey Carroll at (970) 349-0356.
