Recent News

08 Squawker Road Flyer:

We have a new Road Race this year that starts on the main street of Bayfield - 20 east of Durango on HWY160. It is quite a departure from our standard Road Race as it is quite flat, but the wind always blows. The TTT course changes a little in that it is not an out and back format. It starts in the same place and goes all the way to the north end of the Animas valley and ends with a 2K climb. As for the criterium, you may know we have had a boat load of snow down here this year and there are 8 ft. piles on every corner. For a backup we are looking into a HCTT - The Cliffs - 3.5miles, 1500 ft. with up to 12% grades.

08 Squawker Road Flyer

TTT Map

Crit Map

Road Race Map

FLC Cycling Falls to Lees McRae College at Cyclocross Nationals:

The rivalry between the number one and two collegiate cycling programs grows more intense with each national championship. This weekend at the national cyclocross championships in Kansas City, the cycling powerhouse Lees McRae College took their revenge after a sound thumping by FLC at MTB nationals in October. The conditions were extremely challenging as a massive ice storm followed by a snow storm left the course with frozen ruts that were very difficult to maneuver.

The women were the first to compete in the icy conditions at 9am on Sunday morning and it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Kacey Manderfield of Lees McRae wasted no time in establishing a lead that proved insurmountable. Sabina Krashaaur and Emma Millar of FLC used superb bike-handling skills over the treacherous icy crud to finish 5th and 7th respectively. Stephanie Swan and Hillary Smallwood struggled with the tricky surfaces to round out FLC’s scoring at 27th and 36th respectively. FLC could only manage 4th in the women’s team omnium with an ever-strengthening CSU program narrowly edging them for 2nd and Lindsay Wilson edging in for 3rd. Lees McRae dominated the women’s race with 1st, 8th, 14th, and 16th place finishes, showing the depth of their women’s program. The absence of FLC’s injured Teal Stetson-Lee had a profound effect on the outcome of the women’s race, as she would have surely contended for the win.

The men’s race was a thriller with Joey Thompson taking it out fast from the gun to establish a 20 second lead over defending champion Jamie Driscoll (UVM). Unfortunately, a double flat late in the race forced Joey to scrap back to finish second. Lees McRae’s men were a force to be reckoned with , finishing 3rd, 6th, and 7th, and 15th, with FLC’s strongman Ben Sonntag finishing in the mix in 8th. Adam Snyder battled with frozen brakes and lingering health issues coming in 16th. Freshman Greg Carpenter showed great promise coming from a last row start to finish 19th. Due to Lee’s McRae putting three riders in the top ten, the men’s team omnium was their domain this year, showing that they have added some strength to their roster since FLC’s men ruled over them in 2006.

New this year for the FLC team was that the majority of the riders were on top-of the line Trek X0 cyclocross bicycles. The bikes preformed flawlessly and gave many of the team members, especially the women’s team, an opportunity to race cyclocross. Having the bikes definitely gave FLC an edge over the other schools and the team is looking forward to a continued relationship with Trek in the rest of the cycling disciplines for years to come.

Lees McRae has been aggressive in building infrastructure with their varsity cycling program, recruiting strong young riders, and luring big talent in with full-ride scholarships. It is paying off as they gain strength every year. Ranked number one in the US Collegiate Rankings in 2006, they earned the coveted first call-up in all the 2007 national championships.

FLC had a great year in 2007, earning 3rd place on the road, 3rd at track, first at mtb, and now 2nd at cyclocross. This consistency has brought FLC into the first place ranking for the 2007 season, which means that FLC will be the first team called up in all 2008 nationals. It is apparent that FLC will have to watch their backs as other programs are gearing up. Road season is coming up and the elusive road national championship is the goal. Go Skyhawks!

Other Durango Finishers:

Todd Wells - 3rd - Elite Men, Troy Wells - 5th Elite Men, Ned Overend - 1st - 50-54 Men, Walt Axthelm - 1st - 70+ Men, Travis Brown - 2nd - 35-39 Men and Singlespeed, Grant Barry - 2nd - 30-34 Men, Sarah Tescher - 15th - Elite Women (started dead last, 91st), Jon Bailey - 10th - Singlespeed, Martha Iverson - 6th - 55-59 Women.

FLC Cycling/Durango to Cyclocross Nationals:

In a season the started immediately after Collegiate MTB Nationals, which FLC won, Cyclocross has been what it’s all about for the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team. There have been weekend training races, Squawker Cross, the DWC Coffee Cup CX Series and Wednesday Lunch training rides. All these helped the FLC Cycling coaching staff determine the team they will take to Cyclocross Nationals in Kansas City, KS starting Dec. 14 and finishing with the Collegiate and Elite races on Dec. 16.

The team leaves Thursday morning for the 15 hour drive to eastern Kansas and if you have seen recent weather reports the area has been hit hard with ice storms all week. The recent weather in Durango has worked well for FLC Cycling and the local cyclocross racers headed to Nationals. “The weather since Thanksgiving has been great training for the FLC team and locals because the snowy, wet and muddy conditions are something that area CXers rarely see”. Special thanks from the team and local racers has to go out the grounds department at FLC for allowing the training rides and races to take place on the grass and muddy surfaces around campus. Thanks also need to go out to Durango Parks and Rec. for allowing the racers to have some early-season training rides at Folsom Park and to the sponsors of the local Coffee Cup CX Series.

CX has had an unprecedented season in Durango with 15-20 local racers, in addition to the FLC Team of 14, traveling to KC. Well known racers Todd Wells, Matt Shriver, Ned Overend, Travis Brown, and Sarah Tescher headline the crew from Durango that includes the Rocky Mtn Chocolate Factory Team, Health Fx, and many veteran category racers (some with a great chance of placing well). DWC racer Steve Lamont has been kind enough to haul most of the local racers’ bikes and equipment out to KC with his truck and trailer.

The Fort Lewis Team is again looking strong this season with many returning racers and some fresh faces in their attempt to take the team title back from arch rival Lees- McRae College. One of the big advantages the team has is that Trek Bicycles has come on board and helped set up the team with top of the line bikes to race on. These are bikes that are specifically built for CX with carbon forks tubular wheels and weigh 19 lbs. On the men’s side, last year’s podium finisher Joey Thompson has an excellent chance to repeat and even win. He is accompanied by returning Adam Snyder, Chad Wells and Jesse Dekrey, all of who have a chance to finish in the top 15 and even top 5. Add in many time MTB and Road Team member Noah Singer, new phenom Ben Sonntag (see the latest issue of Velonews), and freshman Greg Carpenter and Whitney Jones and FLC Cycling has a chance to truly dominate the racing action. The women’s side suffered a set back a few weeks ago when FLC’s top woman Teal Stetson-Lee came down with a nasty infection as a result of a crash at MTB Nationals. Returning CX team members Sabina Kraushaar and Stephanie Swan are sure to step up and finish well. Freshman Emma Millar could surprise many with her bike handling in the sure to be sloppy conditions. Freshman Allie Johnson, ex-FLC soccer player Hilary Smallwood, and MTB convert Terrina Tafoya round out the team that will be going head to head with collegiate CX racers from all over the country. A few of these women would have never gotten a chance to race CX if it were not for the Trek Bicycle sponsorship.

None of this would have been possible the FLC Cycling Team without local supporters: Durango Cyclery, Durango Coca Cola, Bread, Nature’s Oasis, Morehart Chevrolet/Subaru and lest not forget Fort Lewis College.

More information on the Kansas City Cyclocross Nationals can be found at http://www.kccrossnationals.com/.

Latest results, reports and pictures the Durango local and FLC racers can be found at: http://www.cyclingnews.com/ and http://velonews.com/.

A great time was had by all at the 07 version of the Squawker Cross - the weather was perfect and the course was fast. Locals dominated the ACA and UCI events. Local MAN Todd Wells (GT) outpaced Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) in the Elite Men and Amy Dombrowski (Velo-Bella-Kona)held a race long 10 second advantage over Melissa Thomas (Maxxis) for the win. Local winners include: Scott Shishum (Dgo Cyclery) - SM4, Kenny When (Scott) - SM 35+(4), Rich Bagienski (DWC) - SM55+, Stephanie Swan (FLC) - SW3, Teal Stetson-Lee (FLC) - SW4, Martha Iverson (DWC) - SW 35+, Whitney Jones (FLC) - SM3, and Gaige Sippy (DWC) - SM 35+(3).

Another big thanks needs to go out to all of the sponsors/supporters: Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Animas Orthopedic Associates, Durango Cyclery, Rivergate Sports Medicine, Durango Coca-Cola, Morehart Chevrolet, Trek Bicycles, Joe Burtoni - Wells Group, Bruce Andrea - Performance Cardiology, all of the prize sponsors, Bread for all the free food and the unused EMT Nathan McGrath.

Everything is coming together for the UCI C2 cyclocross race on November 11th.with an updated flyer and technical guide (see below). It should be the best spectator cycling event in Durango since the NORBA Nationals. Also take note that there will be no LATE FEES for you procrastinators thinking of "day-of" registration. Online registration closes at 12pm on Wednesday November 8th - http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1490825 . Please email hagen_d@fortlewis.edu with any questions.

The 2nd annual Squawker Cross will be the same great race as last year, but will have UCI C2 status which means the many of the top CXers from the nation will be attending in search of the coveted points - it's like a "NORBA National" of cyclocross. Top Elite Men confirmed at the event are Todd Wells, Troy Wells, Matt Shriver, Adam Snyder, Joey Thompson, Ned Overend, Team Clif Bar and more sure to come. It is also a UCI race for Elite Women, U23 Men, and Junior Men. For all other categories it will be an ACA race.

The course meanders all over the Fort Lewis College campus on a great mix of grass, pavement, barriers, off-camber and a run up in the outdoor amphitheater. Over half the course including the technical sections are visible from near the start finish - perfect for spectators. Back again this year is the beer garden next to the barriers, announcer Dave Towle and new will be the local favorite Zia Tauqueria trailer providing the best burritos around. Registration at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1490825 . Keep checking this site for last minute details.

For complete info see the flyer below and be sure to check out the poster. Don't fear the hawk, feed the hawk!

The annual Fort Lewis College Squawker MTB Classic will be back again this year on Sept. 22-23. The Cross Country will revert back to starting on Horse Gulch Road, the Short Track will be on campus as usual and making their returns are our Downhill and Dual races for the gravity riders. We will be also co-hosting the Colorado State Middle/High School Championships contesting the same Short Track and Cross Country courses as the collegiate racers. Keep an eye on this web site for race updates.

We are greatly anticipating the return of students and the influx of new club members. Our first meeting will be held Tuesday, August 28th at 8pm in Noble Hall 130. There will be a lot to cover, including: Club Overview, requirements and expectations, planning for the upcoming MTB season and Track Nationals (Sept. 15-17), plus ride/seminar/community service schedules and much more. If you are at all interested in becoming a member of the club, this is the meeting to attend.

Hopefully very soon we will have all of the Club Sports/Cycling Club paperwork you will need to fill out on this web site. It will be in a printable format so you can come to the first meeting with paperwork in hand to avoid the rush of getting ready for the first MTB race - click here for the 2007 RMCCC Fall MTB Schedule.

- The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic has donated cash prizes for the Pro Men and Women: 1st-$120, 2nd-$80, 3rd-$50.

- Durango Cyclery has ponied up cash for 150 Brat/Buns, Kraut and Mustard for the Post Race BBQ. We'll also have a large supply of Baked Beans. If you want something else, bring it, we'll have plenty of grill space.

- Expert >39 Men wishing to do the long course can register in the <39 category and we can hash out >39 results post race (no prizes though).

- Quite a few folks are planning on camping at the north trailhead all weekend - all are welcome.

Hermosa Creek trail racing is back after a 19 year hiatus! Come one, come all to race on the high country trail that made Durango famous. There is an extended course for Professionals and younger Expert Men, 2 Singlespeed classes, cool prizes, and a post-race BBQ/Campout for racers and friends/family. Proceeds go to the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team and the Smylie Bike Project. Race day registration only (be there early). Limited to 2500 entrants (just kidding). For more info than is on the flyer and map please contact Dave Hagen at 759-4056 or hagen_d@fortlewis.edu.

As a result of FLC racer Krisitn McGrath's strong showing in the individual omnium, 6th place, at Collegiate Road Nationals she has been chosen to be part of the Ryan Collegiate All-Star Team. The team will race in the upcoming 5 stage Nature Valley Gran Prix, June 20-24, 2007. The team consists of the top 4 Division I and top 4 Division II women in the final individual omnium who aren't on contract with a team already. The ladies will get to wear their respective collegiate colors while racing - a Skyhawk jersey in an NRC race! It is a great opportunity for developing talent to work as a team at one of the biggest stage races in the US. All of FLC Cycling's best wishes go out to Kristin as she prepares and competes.

FLC Cycling Wins Men's and Women's TTT at Collegiate Road Nats! 3rd in Team Omnium-

One of the main focuses of the team headed to Nationals this year was to win the TTTs and the racers pulled it off. Everything came together this year with a special group of athletes and club sponsors stepping up to have them be the most prepared and on the best equipment. As you can see in the pictures the teams were decked out with products from Jamis, Zipp, Louis Garneau and Domino Sportswear.

The overall goal was to win an elusive Team Omnium Championship and with a combination of bad luck and timing ended up a very respectable 3rd place! The Road Races and the Criteriums are such large groups that are packed with talent that it makes it very difficult to have much control over the outcome. Highlights from the Road Race were Yarden Gazit in 5th place, all the men being in the top 26 and Kristin McGrath finishing 14th. Kristin also finished an impressive 2nd in the criterium with a late race attack on a very strong field in pursuit of the solo winner. Bad luck struck when a crash with 2 laps to go took out 2 FLC men and trapped the other two behind in the men's criterium. FLC racers gave everything they had all weekend but the first and second place teams in the omnium did a better job of placing themselves in the fields at the finish. Hats off to Stanford and UC Davis. We are still very proud of the team as a whole to be in the mix right until the end.

Congrats goes out to those selected to represent us at Collegiate Road Nationals in Lawrence, KS May 11-13. The team leaves Wednesday morning at 6am with our Jim Morehart loaner truck pulling the trailer (yes, that's right our truck died in GJ at conference finals). Keep up with results and stories on:

FLC held a good lead going into conference finals at Mesa State and built upon it with dominating performances by the Women. The Road Race was highlighted by an angry rancher who threw a box of tacks on the course that decimated all the teams and took out 6 FLC A men. Kristin McGrath won the A women conference title, Ben Stalker won the B men title and Yarden Gazit just barely got pipped for the A men title. For full Mesa results and Final Conference standings click here.

A special thanks to all of our corporate partners, volunteers and club members who made the race a huge success. FLC racers did an outstanding job also, winning the A TTTs and finishing 1-3 in the Women's A road race and 1-4 in the Men's A road race. For complete results click here.

It has all come together again with the standard TTT, a new crit and the grueling Road Race. USCF and Open categories. Volunteers always accepted.

FLC Cycling has traveled, because that is what we do, for 5 weekends in a row to RMCCC races. UNM had their usual TT and TTT on rolling terrain and a square crit at balloon fiesta park. Metro had a cool TT at Bear Creek Lake State Park and DU had a Crit at Invesco Field. The CU race had a rolling TT from Lyons to Boulder, an out and back Road Circuit Race on a closed section of HWY south of town and their usual egg-shaped crit at the research park. CSU ponied up a TT and Road Race SW of town in horrific conditions and the staple Oval Crit on Sunday. Mines opened with the classic Lookout Mtn. Hillclimb and a new, selective, climby circuit race on campus.

FLC racers had many wins in the month highlighted by our A Women's domination of all races. Check full results of these races as well as the Conference Team Standings before the Mines race on our Results page.

The riders of the Fort Lewis Cycling team are hoping to do more than spin their wheels at their presentations on healthy lifestyle choices to the students of several Four Corners schools. The team, in cooperation with Durango-Farmington Coca-Cola, developed an assembly format for Four Corners area middle and high schools. The presentations will include multimedia elements, stunt riding demonstrations and stage skits to deliver their message while creating a fun and receptive environment. The first program will be at Escalante Middle School on Thursday, April 5, 2000 at 2:30 pm. The assembly will be made available to other schools in the fall of 2007.