Weaving through a tight series of turns near the Cortez Recreation Center, Fort Lewis Cycling team member Alex Martinek raced toward a short, steep hill covered in deep sand.
Upon reaching the incline, Martinek stood on his pedals and attempted to climb before flipping backward. Clearly used to such crashes, the cyclocross racer regained his composure, climbed the hill and finished the race.
In addition to Martinek, 70 other cyclists from throughout the Four Corners descended on Parque de Vida on Dec. 6 to compete in the fifth round of the Durango Performance Center 4 Corners Cyclocross Series. Two more races will take place before the completion of the series.
“(The series) keeps the focus on cycling, being outdoors and exercising,” said Keith Evans, a mechanic at Kokopelli Bike and Board. “It’s good for the community and it provides a different use of the park. It brings in a lot of people from outside of town.”
Keegan Swenson, who is sponsored by Cannondale Bicycles, finished first in the Men’s A Division. Troy Wells, who won the national U23 cyclocross title in 2005 finished second. Nationally known mountain biker Ned Overend finished sixth.
“We had world champions racing at this weekend’s event,” said Evans. “It’s one of the strongest fields in the country and for Cortez to attract these sort of athletes is amazing for a small community.”
Sarah Strum won the Women’s Open Division, Tim Reinbold won the Men’s B division, Jens Neilsen finished first in the Men’s 35+ division and Steve Colford won the Men’s 50-plus division.
Top local finishers included Mancos native Courtney Ott, who finished fifth in the Women’s Open division and Kokopelli team member Ashley Carelock, who finished sixth in the women’s open division.
(Cyclocross) is fun because you’re in mud and conditions are funky all of the time,” said Ott. “It’s just basically riding on a glorified road bike in the mud and running up hills and over obstacles and things.”
Several riders said that they enjoyed the Cortez area and the extensive park system that the city offers.
“I think it was a very successful event,” Evans said. “The course was really good and it was one of the more challenging courses in (the series).”
Next up in the series will be a race at Fort Lewis College on Dec. 13. The series will conclude with an event in Pagosa Springs on Dec. 20.
