The Old New Mexican

On Memorial Day weekend, I lined up at the start of the Original Growler in Gunnison, Colorado—a 35-mile mountain bike race known for loose singletrack, rocky slab descents, and a festive small-town vibe. With over 300 riders in the 32-mile (plus neutral rollout) race, my goal was simple: break three hours, and maybe, if things went well, take the top spot in my age group.

After a roughly 4-mile neutral rollout on pavement, I managed to work my way up toward the front group of about 50 riders. When we hit the dirt, the race started in earnest with a 2.5-minute lung-searing climb aptly named “Kill Hill.” I dug in and held my position as it transitioned into a more gradual uphill. By the time we hit the first singletrack around mile 7, I was sitting in roughly 40th place overall and feeling solid.

The next few miles were a blur of dusty tires and tactical jockeying. Our group stretched out single-file on twisty descents and punchy climbs. On the second fire road section, I surged to pass a few riders—only to hear the telltale click of something foreign in my drivetrain. A stick had wedged itself into my derailleur. I pulled over, dislodged it, and got my chain back on, but not before about ten riders flew by. So it went all day: pass on the climbs, get caught or passed on the descents, and repeat. I rode much of the race near the same rotating group of about 20 riders.

The Growler course has its share of spice. Some of the rock slab sections are set on cliff edges, offering both challenge and a reminder to stay focused. Luckily, most of this terrain is familiar to me from riding in New Mexico. Still, it demanded respect and attention, especially when you’re chasing a sub-three-hour finish.

My setup was dialed for the most part—except for one key lesson learned during the pre-ride. After sliding out and crashing on some loose “kitty litter” turns with a Maxxis Aspen front tire, I swapped in a Maxxis Ikon for better grip. That change made a big difference on race day. I rode my Trek Supercaliber and carried two bottles, each loaded with 75g of carbs, plus some chews and bars. I fell short on hydration and nutrition, skipping a refill stop and under-consumed overall. I didn’t feel a huge fade, but I suspect I slowed in the last hour.

The weather was perfect: 48 degrees at the start, climbing to the mid-80s by the finish. And the final miles? Pure fun—fast flow, big berms, and a few jumps that felt like dessert after three hours of gritty work.

In the end, I crossed the line in 2:59:57—just three seconds under my goal. I finished 46th overall and first in my age group. The podium was a nice touch, but what really mattered was executing the plan and proving to myself that the fitness is there heading into the summer XC race season.

My buddy Doug, who got me into the Growler, finished a few minutes behind me, and we’re already scheming a rematch at the Road Apple Rally in October. Gunnison knows how to throw a race—and a post-race party.

Next time, I’ll carry a third bottle or get a feed. And maybe bring a stopwatch that shows seconds.