We are already a few days in to the Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival and I couldn’t be happier. Town is full of cyclists, both beginner and pro that are here for the weeks events. There are almost more bikes than cars here now, and town is starting to look a bit like a expo rather than a town! We already raced the Super Duper D, which ran from the top of Baldy starting at the Mayday Chair and ending in front of Apples Bar and Grill at the base of Baldy. Over 3,000 feet of descending and riding my home trails helped a bit too. I took home a nice little bag of goodies and a little prize money to sweeten the pot too!
Locals claimed the two tops spots in the Super D which helps further stake the claim that the Ketchum/Sun Valley area is a hot bed of cycling talent. Scott Robinson, a good friend of mine also claimed the top spot in the podium with authority. The Whit Henry Memorial Galena Grinder also took place this weekend and is a classic race for the valley. It’s been going on forever and has some grueling climbs. When races start at 7,500 feet in elevation you know they are going to be rough!
I spend tons of time cross country skiing the trails up here in the winter, so this is kind of like my back yard, which helps calm the pre-race nerves a bit. As much as I love racing all around the world, having all your close friends and the support of the community all there for you is unexplainable.
This is only the start of the racing this week in Sun Valley, with USAC Nationals up next. My goal is to survive the Fat Tire Crit in town and to retain my single speed title! The weather and trails are in primo condition right now, so its a great time to visit and ride.
