Wild Flower Rush - Crested Butte, CO

The Dale's Pale Ale / Spot Brand team headed west to the wonderful world of the western slope. We stopped in Gunnison for the final race of the spring round of the Growler Race Series. We teamed up with Pie Zans pizza in Gunnison to throw the end of spring series party, cheers to Pie Zans for the free New York Style pizza.

From there we headed to Crested Butte for stop #4 of the Mountain States Cup Series. The lower elevation CB singletrack & race courses were bone dry & dusty, odd considering snow melt had the rivers rippin'. The team didn't have as much success as some of the events in the past but Jen Gersbach's string of consistent results again anchored the team with a 4th place finish in the Pro Women's cross country. After the racing the good time vibe continued as we hosted the 2nd clunker crit of the MSC 2008 season. Cheers to those that were able to ride hard & keep that Dale's Pale Ale down. The crit ran alongside a raffle that gave away nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise. In the midst of the crit & raffle we also completed the vibe with a game of beer fueled Corn Hole. 2 lucky SOBs walked away with the winner take all $140 grand prize after an intense shoot out against the mafia racing crew, thanks for the cocktail brotha! Keep an eye out for the 21 and older Clunker Crit & the Corn Hole Shootout at the MSC races to come. The Corn Hole Shoot Out kept the good times rolling.

The town of Crested Butte was inundated with cycling for the entire Fat Tire Bike Week. Ride the Rockies had been in town through Friday morning & as they were rolling out the MSC participants were rolling in. In addition to the racing there was the Bridges of the Butte 24-Hour Townie Tour that went from 3:00 p.m. Saturday through 3:00 p.m. Sunday. This super fun event benefits the Adaptive Sports Center’s adaptive ski program in Argentina which takes place each fall. Thanks to the Brick Oven Pizzeria for hookin a brother up with a mullet wig & a townie to join in, not to mention keeping me full of brew.

The Mountain States Cup crew really did a lot of work to ensure the snow didn't slow down the event at all, cheers. Rumor has it that there will be a Dual Slalom course next year at this event...mmmm.

While shedding a tear I bid farewell to the beautiful town that nearly stole my heart. Thanks to everyone for making this a special weekend in one of Colorado's truly magical places. We did get out for one last ride before we left...but that's for a different day.

be well,