Race Recap: Topeka Kansas Mountain Bike Event

Hello, fellow biking enthusiasts! I’m Kurt from the Hutch Composite Mountain Bike Team, based in Hutchinson, Kansas. We’re coming off a thrilling weekend at the Topeka race, filled with memorable moments, team spirit, and lots of biking excitement.

This particular race venue in Topeka is one of my favorites, with its challenging descents and steep climbs that test our skills. Despite a smaller team turnout due to graduation events, we still celebrated notable victories with two podium finishes and several collectible Steve Tilford shirts. Our camper van, originally an FBI SWAT truck, served us well once again as both transportation and living quarters, enhancing our adventure.

The League asked Haydon and me to camp on site and serve as a type of presence. DONE! That saved us driving to Lake Perry and back – and got us these cool shirts.

The course itself offered all the elements we mountain bikers love: rocky obstacles, switchbacks, and those nerve-wracking S-curves, with tight quarters in the trees. It was a pleasure to set up the course and even more satisfying to race it with my teammates and son, Haydon. Despite a minor medical hiccup with one of our coaches (all’s well now), everyone from parents to teammates stepped up, underscoring the robust community spirit of mountain biking.

Riding in Topeka brought a significant highlight for young riders like Kellen and Ava, who showcased surprising confidence and skill. Special congrats to Colin for landing a podium finish once again! The mix of youth and high school races filled Sunday with energy, where Haydon impressively secured a fourth-place finish and maintained third in the series standings.

What’s truly heartening is witnessing the growth of each rider and experiencing the camaraderie of our team. From the course set-up to cheering at the finish line, each moment was valuable. With only one more event left in the season, I look forward to more thrilling rides. Until next week, ride safe and keep pedaling!