Power of Four Mountain Bike Race 2011

Last Sunday I participated in the Inaugural Power of Four Mountain Bike Race from Snowmass Base Village to the top of Aspen Mountain via Elk Camp, Gov’t Trail, Highlands, Congo, and Midnight Mine, about 11,000 feet of climbing. It was awesome. It was a real mountain bike race with epic single track, challenging climbs and some fun technical sections. I loved it. The last loop around Aspen Mtn. on my mountain bike just about killed me. I cramped so badly at the hike a bike section I timbered into the bushes. I had a nice wipeout on Gov’t; it was hard to see with the early morning shadows. I filmed most of the ride with my GoPro. My buddy Joel also helped me capture some race footage. Stay tuned for a Power of 4 Video at www.youtube.com/chrisklugaspen. I finished in fifth place in four hours forty-three minutes, about half the time it took me to complete the Power of Four SkiMo Race last March. I think the winter version was the hardest race I’ve done, for me harder than Leadville 100 or the Elk Mtn. Grand Traverse.

It has been a fun summer of training and racing on my bikes. I learned a lot and really enjoyed it. I love the local Aspen Cycling Club weekly races. Hopefully I can do a few more before the end of the season. Leadville was awesome. I really wanted to break eight hours this year, but cramped badly the last hour and struggled to the finish in 8:13. I’ll be back next year to get the job done! I’m excited to break out my hiking shoes and climb some 14’ers in September. Jazz Aspen/Snowmass Festival this weekend. Hope to see ya there. Thanks for checking in! ? Have a fun holiday weekend! CK