Tag Archives: #trailsendtaproom

Race Report, Top Stories

COS Racing Displays Solid Performance at the Superville Omnium in Boulder, CO

BOULDER, CO – COS Racing showcased their competitive spirit and determination at the Superville Omnium, held amidst the smoky beauty of Boulder, Colorado, from 19th to 21st May 2023. The team’s riders delivered solid performances across multiple events, securing notable finishes and highlighting their capabilities in a highly talented field.

The Superville Omnium, a three-day Bicycle Colorado extravaganza in the Boulder area towns of Superior and Louisville – hence ‘Superville’ – is known for its challenging courses and competition. It incorporates several previously separate events, including the Superior Time Trial, Superior Morgul Road Race, and the Louisville Crit.

COS Racing rider, Lindsey Baumann, made her impressive 2023 debut, securing a remarkable 5th place overall finish despite only racing two of the series’ three events.  Baumann’s outstanding performance in the Omnium showcased her talent and determination as she navigated the demanding course with skill and precision. In the competitive Men’s 50+ Category 4 Omnium, George York and J. Erik Hartel finished 16th and 18th overall against almost 60 riders that competed over three days. Their consistent efforts in a challenging field illustrated their ability to compete against top riders and maintain a strong presence throughout the event.

In the individual events, George York and J. Erik Hartel secured solid finishes. York claimed 10th place, while Hartel closely followed in 12th place, highlighting their proficiency in this challenging discipline. In the Women’s Cat 4 time trial, Lindsey Baumann’s abilities were on full display as she raced to an impressive 2nd place finish.  

The Louisville Criterium witnessed greater COS Racing representation, with riders taking on a technical one-mile course that featured a high-speed tight corner at the end of a fast descent. In the crash-free Master’s race, J. Erik Hartel and George York secured 7th and 12th places in a combined field of 23 riders.  After the race, Hartel noted that despite coming into the final corner optimally positioned near the front, he and Gorge York were swamped by a franticly chasing rear of the peloton.  The ensuing scrum and emergency braking in the final corner meant that Hartel and York had to drag race up the finishing ascent through a mass of fading riders.  Though both recovered many positions lost, neither was pleased with the outcome.

Also in the criterium, Laith Abbas finished an impressive 16th from a large and talented field of over 40, including national-caliber Junior riders. Abbas’ performance in this crash-marred event against such intense competition reflects his determination and potential for future success. Ryan Arthur, returning from injury, displayed his resilience and commitment in the Men’s Category 5 criterium, securing a commendable 19th-place finish.

Finally, in the Superior Morgul Road Race, COS Racing’s riders continued to excel. The Mogul Road Race is a challenging out-and-back route with multiple challenging climbs.  Lauren McMurtry and Lindsey Baumann delivered strong performances, finishing 5th and 7th in the four-lap Women’s Category 4 race, with McMurtry finishing strongly from a three-rider chase group. In the Men’s Category 4 race, George York and J. Erik Hartel crossed the line in 8th and 9th place, respectively, from a highly competitive field of over 32 riders. Although racing strongly throughout, both missed the winning breakaway after an unexpected attack on Lap 3 split the field on the big climb while both were trapped on the inside.  Despite vigorous attempts to bridge to the breakaway, Hartel and York eventually found themselves in no man’s land buffeted by heavy crosswinds; they settled for a team time trial to the finish.

Laith Abbas achieved his best weekend result with an 11th-place finish in the Men’s Category 4 race, while Ryan Arthur continued his comeback efforts, finishing 14th in the Men’s Category 5 race.

COS Racing’s presence and commendable finishes at the Superville Omnium exemplify their reputation as a competitive team. The performances of Lindsey Baumann, George York, J. Erik Hartel, Laith Abbas, Lauren McMurtry, and Ryan Arthur, in various disciplines, highlight their individual strengths and their collective potential.

Race, Team Event, Top Stories

COS Racing Eyes Upcoming Mad Gravel Race

ELBERT COUNTY, CO – This Memorial Day weekend, COS Racing will be headed to Elbert County and the Peaceful Valley Scout Camp to compete in three days of off-road racing at the 2023 Mad Gravel event present by Rattler Racing. This event will consist of a gravel circuit race, gravel road race, an XC MTB event, and a trail run.

In addition to historically being one of the home races for COS Racing, this event is particularly significant because Mad Gravel has incorporated the HEMI gravel race into its program.  The HEMI was previously a separate gravel event held in Kansas in remembrance of Craig Henwood – the son of COS Racing team members Kristine and Steve Johnson – who was killed in a gravel race in 2019.

Rattler Racing is also partnering with team sponsor and coach Daniel Matheny of Matheny Endurance to provide coaching services in preparation for this event.

We are anticipating significant COS Racing participation in this event and encourage the off-road cycling community to join us for an exciting three days of racing.

Sponsorship, Top Stories

Sponsor Spotlight: Elevation Wheel Company

Owned and operated by Chris Murray, Elevation Wheel Company has been a staunch supporter of COS Racing and the local cycling community for several years.

At least 80% of COS Racing team members ride on hand-built wheels by Elevation. Although Elevations’ specialty is custom wheel building, team members can rely upon them for exceptional service for any bike repair. Chris is known for unique fabrications and solutions using his 3D printer. And he’s a helluva photographer too!

Thank you Chris and Elevation for your continued support for COS Racing and the cycling community!

Team Event, Top Stories

Annual Team Membership Night

COS Racing will host its annual team membership and information night on 29 November 2022 at TrailsEnd Taproom in Colorado Springs. The event will include an overview of the team, sponsor presentations, and kit fitting.

WHO: Current and Prospective Members

WHERE: Trails End Taproom & Eatery, 2925 West Colorado Ave

WHEN: 29 November at 5PM – 7PM

COS-Racing-Membership-FlyerDownload
Team Event, Team Ride, Top Stories

“Live Out Loud Ride” Coming Soon

COS Racing invites all to an upcoming event hosted by COS Racing teammate Gwenn.

On October 16th, Gwenn is hosting a MTB and gravel ride in memory of her late husband Theodore “Turtle” Wilson who passed away in late 2020 while riding in Palmer Park.  Turtle was an avid competitive mountain biker, cyclist, USA Cycling official, and US Air Force Academy graduate.

The “LIVE OUT LOUD Memorial Ride ” will take place at Greenland Open Space. Routes include an easy-paced 10-mile single-track ride (MTB), a moderately-paced 32-mile gravel ride, a 3-mile walk option, and a make-your-own adventure ride of your choosing.

All proceeds will support the TURTLE Effect Foundation (a 501c(3) non-profit) that provides scholarships to talented cyclists in Turtle’s name and supports young people seeking admission to the US Air Force Academy.

COS Racing’s charter is to support bike racing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and elsewhere and this event and Gwenn’s efforts align with those priorities. Please join us on October 16, 2022.

For more on Turtle, see https://turtleeffect.org/about-turtle/

For additional information about The TURTLE Effect Foundation, go to https://turtleeffect.org/

For additional details on the “LIVE OUT LOUD Memorial Ride” and to  register, go to https://www.bikereg.com/liveoutloud2022.

Thanks to our sponsors for making such support possible.

Race Report, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Race Report: FoCo Gravel

FORT COLLINS, 25 July 2022 – Sunday was another fine race day for COS Racing at FoCo Gravel, with at least eleven riders racing on a nicely overcast day in Fort Collins, Colorado. The day’s events resulted in six podiums across two races, including three first places. Overall, COS Racing raced in all three of the day’s events – the 53-, 102-, and an epic 142-mile race. The races featured miles of gravel grinding on various surfaces, including pristine gravel, pavement, challenging doubletrack, and a sloppy CX-style finishing stretch with deep mud and standing water.

The largest and most successful showing for COS Racing took place in the 53-mile race, with eight COS Riders competing in a field of 368 racers. Our highest placed rider, Curtis Singmaster, took 4th place overall in a reduced sprint from the chase group. COS Racing also owned the top step in three of the Masters age-group categories – MM 40+, 50+, and 60+ – and 2nd step in 60+. Age group podium places went to Aaron Sudduth (1st MM 40+), J. Erik Hartel (1st MM 50+), Kevin Healy (1st MM 60+), and Tracy Sharples (2nd MM 60+).

In the 53-miler, COS Racing controlled the front of the race for much of the first 15 miles; however, by mile 15, three breakaway riders went clear. In the chase that followed, Hartel, Singmaster, and Sudduth found themselves in a strong chase group of eleven riders. In a surprising move for his first race of the season, Sudduth quietly rode off the front of this group on a fast descent with about 23 miles to go, opening a gap of over two minutes at one point while Hartel and Singmaster played a subtle defense in the chase group. 

After the race, Curtis Singmaster noted, “at one point, I rotated to the front and slowly brought the speed [of the chase group] from 22mph to 17mph, and no one noticed or came around. This opened a huge gap.”   

FoCo 53 COS Racing Results

Despite these efforts, the chase group caught Sudduth with about five miles remaining after he cramped. In the ensuing run to the line, the chase group shattered, but Singmaster led the survivors across the line and secured fourth place overall. Sudduth and Hartel followed separately shortly after that, while Andre Blythe, who was in the second chase group on the gravel, came across the line two minutes later. In the day’s closest finish, Masters Racers Kevin Healy and Tracy Sharples fought through the mud of the finishing stretch side-by-side, but Healy took the day with a bike throw. This was good enough to earn them 1st and 2nd place in the Masters 60+ category.

In the 102 miler, Dave Neis and Chris Milthaler competed for COS Racing. This race featured a detour northward towards the Wyoming border and a bonus out-and-back climb towards the Front Range.   In an event with over 210 riders, Neis took tenth overall and 1st in MM 40+, while Milthaler, mainly known for mountain biking, impressively finished in 31st place overall and fifth in his age group. Both riders averaged almost 20mph on a course that featured slow gravel in areas and nearly 5000ft of climbing. Dave and Chris also earned the coveted “FoCo bolo-tie” in recognition.

Lastly, in the day’s capstone event, the 145-mile “Triple Dog Dare You” race, Sipha Simelane finished in just under nine hours to take 21st place overall and 8th in age-group, also earning the FoCo Fondo bolo tie. This race took riders all over Northern Colorado and into the Rockies. This brutal event included a 27-mile, 2200ft climb to the 100-mile mark.

FoCo 102 & 143 Results – COS Racing
FoCo 143 Route

Additional teammates who raced included Cindi Brothers* (53mi, 103rd GC/6th AG) and George York (53mi, 33rs GC/8th AG) .

Congratulations to everyone on a great day of racing in Northern Colorado, and thanks to our sponsors for making this possible.

  • *Cindi’s results are still being re-tabulated as of the publication of this report.

Full results can be found at: LINK

Complete event Info can ve found at: LINK

Race Report, Top Stories

COS Racing Podiums at Three-Day Mad Gravel Event

PEACEFUL VALLEY SCOUT CAMP, CO – COS Racing partook in this year’s Mad Gravel race with at least 28 starts across three days of challenging racing.

On Day 1 of the epic three-day Mad Gravel event, COS Racing made a highly respectable showing in the circuit race with one first place, two seconds, and one third, as well as other top-10 finishes.  The circuit race took place on a peaceful 7-mile circuit through the McNeil Scout Camp at Peaceful Valley near Elbert, CO.  The route featured several long gravel climbs mixed with challenging single- and double-track segments.  In particular, the circuit course featured a fast, sinuous gravel road descent and over two miles of blazingly fast non-technical singletrack.

COS Racing Sweeps Mens B Podium in the Circuit Race

Notable finishes occurred in the Men’s “B” Race (21mi), where COS Racing swept the podium, and the Women’s “C” race, in which Cindi Brothers took second overall.  In the 3 lap Men’s “B” Race, Cameron Zamot took first, followed by Michael Brothers and Vlad Dragomirov.  Zamot won despite dropping his chain on at least three occasions.  Overall, COS Racing’s men took five of the top-7 places in the B Race.

Sunday’s Day 2 featured three distances on the gravel roads of windy Elbert County – 123mi (Ultra), 78mi (Marathon), and 42mi (Sprint).  Starting and finishing at around 7000 feet above sea level at the scout camp, each course featured challenging sandy conditions, blazingly fast gravel descents, multiple long climbs in and out of the rural Bijou Basin, and a predictably challenging wind ripping across the prairie.

In the Marathon race, COS Racing took three top-3 podium positions within a field of 125 racers.  Zamot continued his streak of victories with a first-place finish in the Mens 19-29 age group results and 13th overall.  Andrew Chamberlin likewise took the top step in Mens 30-39 with a notable 19th place overall.  Dave Neis rounded out to top-threes with a third place in the highly competitive Mens 40-49 category despite finishing 8th overall.

JB Lafon finishes 6th in Marathon race

In the day’s largest event, thirteen COS Racers took to the start line of the Sprint race, including four members of our women’s race team.  LeeAnn Perea, Emily Reynolds, and Wendy Stalnaker finished 2nd , 3rd , and 4th respectively in the Womens 40-49 category, while Cindi Brothers continued her successful run of second places in Womens 50-59.  All COS Racing women finished in the top-10 of a very competitive women’s field of over 35 racers. 

The Men’s race showcased a field of approximately 100 male racers.  COS Racing netted five top-3 age-group finishes, including first place in each of the men’s categories 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59.  The day’s best performance came from veteran racer, Vlad Dragomirov, who seized second place in the general classification (GC) while winning the Mens 40-49 race.  In Mens 30-39, debutante racer André Blyth won the Mens 30-39 category in his first race with COS Racing, finishing 16th overall, while Michael Brothers stood on the top step of the Mens 50-59 podium – only slightly behind Dragomirov with a solid 5th place GC finish.  Not to be outdone, club racer Steve Johnson and veteran graveleur Tracy Sharples went 2nd and 3rd in Mens 60+.  Additional Mens 50-59 racers included Ron Budhi (4th), George York (7th), J. Erik Hartel (8th), and Michael Elmer (10th).  All nine COS Racing male race team members finished in the top 30 overall resulting in a commanding overall team performance in a field of 100 racers.  

True to its name, the “Sprint” race started fast.

Three additional COS Racing-affiliated team members competed in this event.  These included Seth Hurley (Criterium Bikes) who placed second in the Mens 29-29 category of the Ultra race, and club team members Kristine Johnson (DNA) and Kris Lemond (SoCo Velo) who won the Sprint 60+ category and took 3rd in Womens 50-59, respectively.

Still to come is today’s cross-country mountain bike race.  COS Racing will be represented by at least Michael Brothers who is going for a hat-trick of podiums at this year’s event.

Mad Gravel is the creation of Rattler Racing.  In only its second year, this event brought out almost 500 racers for three days of gravel and mountain biking challenges at the McNeil Scout Ranch.  New to this year’s iteration was the circuit race and an XC MTB event to be held on Memorial Day.

Details
Race Report, Top Stories

COS Racing 2022 Road Season Officially Underway with a Dozen Podiums at Fountain Cycling Classic

HANOVER, CO – The road season officially started this weekend with solid performances by COS Racing at the 2022 Fountain Cycling Classic. Thirty COS Racing riders took to the start line over two days of competition, resulting in at least a dozen top-three podium finishes.

Most notably, both new-member Ashley Frye (SW4) and veteran Vlad Dragomirov (MM 40+ 3) took the top spots at the time-trial (TT) and the road race – unofficially taking the overall title in their respective categories for the event. Additionally, Seth Hurley (SM3) and new member Boudewijn van Werven (SM5) placed in the top three on both days, ensuring a top-three finish for each in the general classification (GC).

Officially known as “Groove Fountain Festival P/B Criterium Bikes & Sports Corp”, the Fountain Classic is a two-day race consisting of an 11.8 kilometer individual TT and a road race on the challenging “Squirrel Creek-Hanover Loop.” The event also features an overall GC result for each category.

https://www.facebook.com/100008947119935/videos/253146096927838/

COS Racing took eighteen top-five positions, including five first-places, seven thirds, three fourths, and three fifth places in the individual events. For GC, we are likely to have at least four racers on the podium, including Ashley Frye, Vlad Dragomirov, Seth Hurley, and Boudewijn van Werven.

SUMMARY

1st --  Ashley Frye (TT - SW4), Ashley Frye (RR - SW4), Seth Hurley (TT - SM3), Vladislav Dragomirov (TT - MM 40+ 3), Vladislav Dragomirov (RR - MM 40+ 3)

3rd --  Boudewijn van Werven (TT - SM5), Boudewijn van Werven (RR - SM5), Diane Percy (Racing for DNA Cycling) (RR - MW 50+), George York (TT - MM 50+ 4), J. Erik Hartel (RR - MM 50+ 4), Lauren McMurtry (RR - SW4), Seth Hurley (RR - SM3)

4th --  Charlotte Miller (RR - MW60+), J. Erik Hartel (TT - MM 50+ 4), Wen Dolphin (TT - SM5)

5th --  Andrew McAdoo (RR - MM 50+ 4), Glen Larson (RR - MM 60+), Marisa Farro-Mira (RR - MW 50+)

Full results are available at BRAC.

Outside the top five, COS Racing still had many powerful performances across all categories. COS Racing had unprecedented turn-out in SM3 road race with over seven racers competing, as well as at least six racers in the combined MM 40+/50+ 3 road race. Our SM5 team excelled with several racers ready for an upgrade to Cat 4 soon.  Our women’s team also excelled across multiple divisions.

Congratulations to the following COS Racers. Well done. 

Alex Avakian (SM5), Andrew McAdoo (MM 50+ 4), Ashley Frye (SW4), Boudewijn van Werven (SM5), Charlotte Miller (MW 60+), Curt Butler (SM5), Dan Padgett (SM3), Dave Neis (MM P/1/2/3), David Anderson (MM 60+), Derek Bondy (SM4), Diane Percy (Club Team – racing for DNA Cycling) (SW P/1/2/3), George York (MM 50+ 4), Glen Larson (MM 60+), Hanson Finley (SM3), J. Erik Hartel (MM 50+ 4), John Morgan (SM5), Lauren McMurtry (SW4), Marisa Farro-Miro (SW4), Matt Bell (SM3), Mike Elmer (MM 50+ 4), Mike Rucker (SM5), Miles Juneau (SM3), Monty Bobo (MM 50+ 4), Peter Jackman (SM3), Ron Buhdi (MM 40+ 3), Seth Hurley (SM3), Steven Wade (MM 60+), Tony Nelson (SM5), Tracy Sharples (MM 60+), Vladislav Dragomirov (MM 40+ 3), and Wen Dolphin (SM5).

Thanks also to our fine sponsors.

#pactimo, #elevationwheelcompany, #mathenyendurance, #trailsendtaproom, #kidsonbikescos, #runnersroostcs, #bolleeyewear, #mynthomes, #actionpotentialcos, #rockrimmonvisionsource, #ipautomationcos

Team Event, Top Stories

Annual Team Membership Meeting: 13 December!

The COS Racing Team meeting will take place on 13 December at 6PM at sponsor Trails End’s location in Old Colorado City.

This year’s meeting will be a forum to gather with fellow team members and prospective members, learn about new opportunities and plans for the upcoming race year, and try on this year’s kit from our new kit sponsor Pactimo.

It’s going to be another stellar race season in Colorado, so jump on board for some great experiences. If you are on the fence about bringing your riding and racing to the next level, attend this meeting to meet a great group of like-minded riders and learn about the riding, racing, and coached experiences you can have on this team.

Sincerely,

COS Racing

2021/22 Annual Team Membership Meeting – 13 December!

See our open Facebook page for details.

COS Racing is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organization. We are a bicycle racing team. Our purpose is to foster local, national, and international amateur cycling racer development and competitions. As a team, we help develop road, MTB, track, and gravel bicycle racers through clinics and training. We support racer participation in local, national, and international racing events. We also host our own race annually, the Thunderbird Road race, the state road racing championships for juniors, seniors, and master amateur racers. In addition, we co-support the Front Range Classic, a collegiate race sponsored by the Air Force Academy Cycling Team. Ancillary to our racing endeavors, we volunteer at cycling events and cycling-related activities in our region.

Race Report, Top Stories

COS Racing Masters Excel in Colorado State Team Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS – In this year’s Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) Colorado Road Team Cup, COS Racing achieved some excellent team results – placing 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 9th at the state level in various categories. 

At the top of the pyramid, COS Racing took second place in the state in Masters Men’s Category 4 (40+), just behind Primal – Audi Denver and ahead of nine other teams.  Consistent top-3 finishes by Aaron Sudduth and Andrew McAdoo contributed enormously to these results. Sudduth notably took three wins plus an additional three top-five finishes; McAdoo won the Fountain Omnium, while racers Ray Decker, Brian McCall, and Tony Nelson contributed to these results.

COS Racing took third place in Masters Men’s Category 4 (50+) out of eleven teams in what appeared to be one of Colorado’s hardest-fought competitions.  Four COS Racing Masters racers – Ron Budhi, Michael Elmer, Erik Hartel, and George York – took to the start line over 64 times during the season, amassing three race wins, one sweep of the podium at the Fountain Festival, and a further twelve top-five finishes.  Consistency was also the key, with racers in this category placing in the top-10 47-times.  COS Racing was narrowly beaten out for the top prize by two strong Denver-based teams – RacerX Racing and Palomares. 

In the final two categories, Men’s Category 3 and Masters Men’s 60+, COS Racing placed 6th and 9th, respectively, with solid performances from Matt Bell, Vladimir Dragomirov, and Tracy Sharples.