Mt Alpha End of Year Party (ugly sweater theme)

Looking back at Cylco Cross Season

Some of us Mt Alpha girls decided to extend the racing season with Cyclo-Cross.   

Jr Alpha racer - 12 yr old Ellie Bardsley racing

Jr Mt Alpha - Clara taking first place

It was pretty fun , pretty painful. The difference is the lack of rest. With mountain biking, you get rewarded with a fun and fast downhill to recover from a long uphill or pinchy steep climb. But with Cross, it is mostly a flat race for 45 minutes  How hard can you go without blowing up or being totally anaerobic?  http://www.montanacyclocross.com/

Mama Jen racing - Fat tires vs Skinnys

Sarah, Kristine, Clara, Riley, Mama Jen and Ellie - Cyclo Cross Race at Equestrian Park

Mt Alpha at Rolling Thunder

MT Alpha Represent!

Mama Jen taking money from childen -  Thanks for the photo David Howland 

The Rolling Thunder Race in Missoula has become an epic event with flash-mob dances, huge crowds and plenty of carnage on the course. 

The Course is really gnarly. Besides the usual barriers to jump over, the organizers incorporate some serious technical elements into the design. There are a long series of "whoops", super tight turns, steep drops and uphills, and heavy thick sand to negotiate with skinny cross tires. Some girls opt for a mountain bike with fat tires for this course, but the risk is losing speed on the flat sections. Whatever bike chosen, the race is still a blast. Crowds are nuts at Rolling Thunder, there are hundreds of people yelling, blowing horns, ringing cow bells and putting out money for riders to slow down and grab. I love it.

The women's field had a huge turn out this year with riders from many other states. I heard there was over 40 women! Elite riders to Cat 4 battled it out under the lights and gave a good show. We had many Alpha girls rocking the dirt - for some girls it was there first race! I was personally so proud of these girls because Rolling Thunder is so intense and super hard. Way to go ladies! 

http://www.montanacyclocross.com/

Mt Alpha Tent

Cat 1 women's race; Emily Kip 

Cat 3 women's race; Kristine Akland 

Cat 4 women's race; Jen Bardsley, Katie Rogotzke, Brianna Lui, Reily LuJan

Mama Jen, Kristine and Jamie

Emily Kip
awesome spectators cheering!

3 Mt Alphas - Katie, Brianna and Mama Jen

Mama Jen on the whoops

After the race

YEAH RILEY!

MT Alpha's end of the year celebration/ Sponsor Appreciation Party

Are you an MT Alpha sponsor? 

Are you a friend of MT Alpha? 

Do you want to be either of those things? 

If so, come to our Sponsorship Appreciation Party!

THIS Friday, November 2nd at 6pm.

At the Bardsley's House (1032 Sherwood St, Missoula, Montana 59802) 

Beer (from Draught Works) food and juice will be served.

Wear an ugly sweater. 

And let us know if you have any question!  

Team