Springs' Clark maintains lead in Ascent Cycling Series
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- Created on Thursday, 09 June 2011 05:11
- Written by Nathan
By EMILY BAYCI, THE GAZETTE
J.J. Clark commanded the mountain biking competition at Bear Creek Regional Park on Wednesday evening in the third leg of the Sand Creek Sports Ascent Cycling Series.
“Today was fun, I felt pretty good out there, a lot better than last week,” Clark said.
This secures the Colorado Springs resident’s position in the lead of the series for the pro-men division.
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In the women’s division, Tracy Thelen took first, beating last week’s winner, Stephanie Ward, by about 3 minutes.
The course was 1.99 miles, about 51 feet shorter than the week before, but with more climbing.
“The courses are getting rougher, it’s just so dry out there, we could use some moisture,” Clark said.
It was a record-breaking day for the series, with over 130 racers, topping the previous record on a Wednesday race — 125 riders in 1996. The final leg of the series is June 19 at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Amidst the high numbers, intense professional races, deer on the course and high winds, there were groups of families not watching the races, but competing in them. The families are a result of the 14-and-under boys’ and girls’ divisions, both new this year.
“We didn’t know how it would work, but it ended up going greatly,” race director Andy Bohlmann said.
He said the races are open to “anyone who will come” and encourages families to become involved.
One such family is the McCrary family from Colorado Springs.
Nathan McCrary, on team Aquaphor, has been around bikes his whole life, assisting and racing with Sand Creek Sports since its conception. He was second in the 30-39 division. McCrary encourages his whole family to become involved with racing — and several did.
“It makes me feel good seeing young people out there being active and competing,” McCrary said.
His daughter, 11-year-old Olivia McCrary, competed in her second straight race for the Front Range Cycling Club, taking third for 14-and-under girls.
His nephew, Spencer McCrary, raced for the first time Wednesday.
Wife Trinette McCrary hasn’t entered in any races yet, but that’s not saying it will never happen, she said.
And their youngest daughter hopes to begin racing next year.
“It’s a great feeling racing, especially when you’re done and you feel calm and at easy,” Nathan McCrary said. “I like being able to share that.”
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