The sun was sliding behind the mountains when the first racers lined up at the starting line. Their smiles were slightly hidden by the illumination of their headlamps. Spectators in Sorrels and nordic gear sprinkled the course with kids and cameras to check out this Fat Bike event, Ullr Bike presented by Borealis Fat Bikes. Jeff Westcott, Race Co-Director and Owner of Maverick Sports Promotions said it best as he was about to start the race, “This will change the face of bike racing in Breckenridge forever.”
The ambiance of the event was heightened by the darkness, the headlamps and the wide snow-white groomed course. Doing anything in the dark adds an element of thrill and fun anxiety to the situation. Imagine a group of pre-teens playing Hide & Seek in the dark for the first time, well, fast forward a few years and throw in a bike, snow and headlamps … and there you go.
Fat Bike racing isn’t new, but it’s new to Breckenridge. When the opportunity to be part of the zany Ullr Fest activities presented itself, Chris Cawley, Race Co-Director of Maverick Sports Promotion and 2015 Ullr Fest King, started exploring and found a reservoir of enthusiasm. Borealis Fat Bikes, Breck Bike Guides, Oskar Blues Brewery, Boo Bicycles, GoBreck and The Gold Run Nordic Center happily jumped onboard to be part of the event. Breckenridge fat bike riders lit up with excitement and buzz about the event took off.
The inaugural Ullr Bike presented by Borealis Fat Bikes race saw more than 60 racers dressed and ready in multi layers, hats, helmets, gloves and skinny fat bike boots. The temperatures dipped to a chilly 23 degrees at sunset and there were some occasional strong wind gusts, but Jeff Cospolich, Breckenridge racer, said “I was hot, I think I over dressed.” So that racer in shorts wasn’t so crazy after all.
The after party was packed with racers and spectators. Warm soup and bread from Soupz On and snow-cold Oskar Blues beer was enjoyed by the zealous mass. Congratulations to all the riders for being part of history! The podium saw Brad Bingham & Hannah Williams of Steamboat, Greg Valace of Lakewood, Kris Carlsted, Sydney Fox and Nick Truitt and Jamie Brede of Breckenridge. See all the results at Mavsports.com
Enjoy the Climb!
