Team EPC by WRC Represents at Xterra Indian Peaks

Sunday was the 3rd edition of the Indian Peaks Xterra at the Eldora Ski area above Boulder, CO. Just about the entire EPC Xterra squad was making a nice impression with eleven racers out on course. Having rained the night before for several hours the air was crisp, the water even crisper and the course was muddy, if not fully submerged, in spots. The clouds broke before the race start and the temperatures were ideal for racing.

The course starts with a 1km swim in Barker Res. The brisk winds made for a choppy return to shore. The stronger swimmers prevailed as the weaker ones floundered a bit. Once back to shore racers were faced with a 3/4 mile uphill run to transition. Shoes are a must as it's quite rocky in spots. If you weren't feeling it already, you felt the 9000 foot elevation when springing to your feet and running hard for 5 min on after swimming in cold water. The 14-mile bike course was a two loop mix of rocky singletrack and jeep roads with smaller power climbs and fun descents. A strong biker with a knack for more technical riding had the advantage when negotiating the many mud pits and slippery roots and rocks along the course. The run was held on similar roads/trails as the bike before entering a really tight up-n-down wooded section along the lake. Over the 7 km runners faced relentless rolling hills, some super steep downhills, a splash through a flooded grassy meadow, more mud before finishing on the cool grass in front of the ski lodge.

EPC occupied much of the front of the race. The blue n black kits were very noticeable as it seemed liked every other racer going by was EPC. Cody Waite led the way by reaching second place early on the bike before biffing it over a slippery root and sticking his front wheel into a mud hole. Subsequently damaging his bike and costing him over 5 minutes over the remaining bike leg, falling to a 5th place finish. "Hairy" Jason Michalak, also struggling a bit, coming off two big weeks of training and no taper, coming in 6th place (2nd AG). Ed Oliver killed his 40-44 AG winning with ease and finishing 7th overall. Mike Miller and Jason Hilgers came 5th and 6th in their 30-34 age-group. Chris Alcorn, Chris Juels, and Nils Holten all came in great age-group finishes in their 35-39, 45-49 and 55-59 age-groups. Sandi Garcia was the lone female EPC representative but she represented well with a 2nd place AG finish in 40-44. Well done Sandi! Marcus Brady and Bruce Wacker both fell victim to the rough and muddy bike course with mechanical that left them unable to finish.

After the race, stories were shared, awards were collected, and food was enjoyed while lounging on the grass listening to the band play Dead and Neil Young covers. A great day of racing and even better for good times with good friends. EPC continues to grow with the help of sponsors Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Pearl Izumi and Rudy Project. Look for us in the coming weeks at Xterra BOLT, Xterra Lory, Xterra Canada, Xterra USA and Worlds!