Ascent Cycling Series marks Sand Creek Sports' 21st year of racing
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- Created on Friday, 13 May 2011 16:19
- Written by Nathan
By Elise Reuter, OutThereColorado.com
On Sunday morning, the Ascent Cycling Series kicks off another season of mountain bike racing at Sand Creek Sports.
Race director Andy Bohlmann is no stranger to the cycling business. He has organized nearly 100 races since starting the series with his wife, Kathleen, in 1993.
The intense involvement in mountain biking began in 1991 when the couple was contacted to put on a special event for the Junior World Championships in Colorado Springs. The following year, they were asked to organize the mountain biking state championships. With additional resources and a wealth of experience, the Bohlmanns took on a greater challenge: a biking series in Colorado Springs.
“There was no series here,” Andy said. “We had the courses, a few sponsors and the riders so we said, ‘Let's do it!’”
Photos from last year's Ascent Cycling Series event at Palmer Park
The initial races were named the Sand Creek Summer Sizzlin’ Series, coined by the Bohlmanns' youngest son Philip.
“It was easy; we did our first race out of the trunk of our Buick,” Andy said. “It was a family project back in the old days. It taught the boys everything -- math, science, people skills and hard work.”
The series has evolved since then, and now Andy and his older son Matthew direct most of the races.
The first race of the series -- slated for 9 a.m. Sunday at Palmer Park -- is expected to have a good turnout, well more than last year’s estimated total of 140.
This year’s Ascent Cycling Series consists of three other races: a dirt trail along the rolling hills of Bear Creek Terrace on both June 1 and June 8, and the final race at Cheyenne Mountain State Park on June 19.
Andy Bohlmann expects several local professional mountain bikers to race along with competitors from all parts of the state.
“These mountain bike races bring in both a lot of first-time bikers and professionals in town. This could be big,” he said.
Sand Creek Sports is hosting a fifth race later this summer: The Sand Creek Sports Colorado Senior Championship Road Race, which is part of the Tour of Colorado cycling series. It will be held Aug. 14 at the Air Force Academy.
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