February 28th, 2012 11:07am
Writing about a 24 Hour race is hard, It’s a lot like writing a report on drying paint...Its not like there is the one big pass or the monster climb. There is just the steady application of pedaling, and pedaling, and pedaling, rinse and repeat and maybe throw in some drinking and Tom foolery. Some do it solo, others with as many co-workers as they can fit on a team. Everyone making their own story.
Thats why this years story of the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo won’t be filled with much play by play reporting, but a much more interesting photo essay of the riders, doing their thing in the beautiful weather that mother nature bestowed upon us during the 13th running of what is turning out to be the grandfather of 24 Hour races.
With so many categories to race in from solo to multiple team configurations there is a class for everyone . We tried to photograph everyone out there, but know we missed a bunch of people. There are thousands of pictures of riders/racers on www.clutch-photo.smugmug.com so be sure to check them out if you want one.
The top finishers in each class are listed below the story.
Kona Team rider Spencer Paxson mounts his trusty steed leading out the field by a solid 45 seconds. Never hurts to have a former 800 meter runner on the lead out.
The start of the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo is like the running of the bulls.
More running of the bulls to get out on the course.
First out of the gate gets first into the tent - Kona's Spencer Paxson is already ridiculously strong riding 8 of the 4 man team laps.
Team Epic Endurance P/B The Gear Movement - May not have lead the first lap, but they led on the most important one - the last and took the Open 4 man title. Their winter training paid off.
Can you say Cross at the Old Pueblo - airing it out here is Mykyta Yurtyn - Nice
Riders got to eat right? How about a hand crafted melon popsicle? Bicycle Initiative at its finest.
Flasgstaff Massage made the journey down to offer racers massage, rollers, a warm fire and they stayed up all night for the riders. Props to them.
.jpg)
After cresting the climb - riders meander through the cactus before hitting the ridiculously fun downhill run.
Two riders start the descent into the late afternoon sun.
Like 6 minute abs - Taking big wheels to the next level on this hand made ride - 36" of riding pleasure.
Solo Male winner Cory Wallace pulling down 18 big ones for Kona
It's all just a blur that pokes you in the eye if your not paying attention.
Fully rigid, single speed and loving it. The descent is this fun and fast - a nice payoff for the previous effort just expended.
I like to call this one 'Hoops"
OH NO!... A Vege burger invades 50lbs of tri-tip, must be a single speeder, just kidding, but a camper for sure - no motor home driver here..
Speechless. This is the 24 Hours logo played out in front of riders lucky enough to ride the sunset lap. This is the signal for the craziness to begin...
Captain Crunch showed after docking his boat and chowing a couple bowls of cereal.
Support tents line the course (running to the right of the pop-up) - this one gets a shameless plug for TuffyProducts.com for being so damned organized.
Tents are a-glow as is the trail leading back into town. At the top riders stream in the black night air.
Sunday morning at the exchange tent - riders are weary but willing to go out with the sun up.
Rider support is key at these races. Here are two enjoying the morning sun against the La Salle Mountain backdrop and watching racers go out for another lap.
Its what makes the Old Pueblo so much fun to ride...sweet sweet single track as fast as you can pedal.
At the 11 mile mark you are mentally on the home stretch with a bit more awesome single track before hitting the climb.
Dropping in on the rock, you know you're home and the crowd starts to assemble to cheer on team mates and family.
There are no podium shots here because while well earned, are quite frankly boring. If you earned one, we would like to congratulate you on an outstanding achievement. To all the participants, congratulations for being a part of the celebration of life. You are all winners.
Place Team Number Team Name Total Laps
Results - 2 Person Single Speed
1 606 Single Minded 22
2 439 Zia/Gem 21
3 486 Kikipelli Racing 20
Results - 4 Person Men Open
1 467 Epic Endurance P/B The Gear Movement 23
2 558 Kona Factory Team 22
3 426 Rocinante/LiquidSpace 22
Results - 4 Person Women Open
1 607 Stan’s No Tube Elite 20
2 491 Single Speed Sweetness 19
3 581 Good Mojo 18
Results - 5 Person Co-Ed 0-149 combined age
1 560 El Grupo Cinco 20
2 561 El Grupo Quatro 19
3 488 3 Drinkers and a Rider 18
Results - 5 Person Co-Ed 150-199 combined age
1 619 Light & Motion 22
2 468 Epic Endurance P/B The Gear Movement 21
3 457 Chainring Circus 21
Results - 5 Person Co-Ed 200+ Combined age
1 608 Weapons of Ass Destruction 22
2 474 2 Wheels, 4Jones &1 Set of Headlites 20
3 464 Geomangear 20
Results for Corporate
1 732 Area 51 22
2 737 Hosie Cows / Team Cirrus 22
3 713 Team Colleen 21
Results for Duo-Female
1 326 Team Spatula 13
2 216 Team Logan/Cure SMA 11
3 319 Boulders on Broadway Vixens 10
Results for Duo Co-ed
1 333 King and Queen of Pain 19
2 225 2:00 AM Demons 19
3 330 Noxid Knar R.R. 17
Results for Duo-Male
1 299 El Grupo Duo 22
2 268 Pivot Cycles 21
3 295 Team Athlete Octane 21
Results for Solo – Single Speed Female
1 39 Melissa Liebling 15
2 19 Lauren Frisk 15
3 38 Delena Hanson 12
Results For Solo - Single Speed Male
1 144 Michael Melley 18
2 7 Neil Becwar 17
3 166 Shawn Gregory 17
Results for Solo Male
1 191 Cory Wallace 18
2 177 Cyril Jay-Rayon 18
3 178 Curt Wilhelm 17
Location: News >> 24 Hours of Old Pueblo Photo essay and more
© 2025 Bicycle World TV
