Van Hoose Takes 5K Title

May 11, 2009 on 12:56 pm | In Mountain Biking | 14 Comments

CASTLE ROCK – Three Rivers Cycling stud Mike Van Hoose took the lead on the third leg and ground out a victory at the Growlers Gulch 5,000 on Saturday, May 9th, winning by a full eight minutes.

Van Hoose covered the 28-mile course, which included 5,000 feet of elevation gain, in 3:41. Al Hansen was second in 3:49, edging two-time champion Lance Brigman who finished in 3:50. The trio led a group of five riders that shattered the four-hour barrier. Eric Loney rang up a 3:56 and Richard Haight had a 3:59.

Cage Aaron put the hammer down right out of the gate and grabbed the early lead. When he cramped on Leg 2, Van Hoose, Hansen, Brigman, Loney and Haight blew by. Hansen held the lead until he was slowed by cramps on the climb up the Lament on Leg 3. Van Hoose seized the lead and pulled away on the final leg.

Rides of the Day
The course was tougher this year, with approximately three miles of gravel swapped out for challenging single-track climbing and descending. Despite that, several riders matched or improved their times. Kudos to winner Mike Van Hoose, whose 2009 time of 3:41 was only three seconds off his 2008 pace.

Melanie Norris, who finished in 5:28 last year, hit 5:12 this time around. Paul Norris also had a phenomenal ride, hanging with the leaders early and finishing seventh in 4:15. Ditto for Todd Edwards, who had bonked at Growlers during an earlier practice run; Edwards finished in 4:14, good for the sixth spot.

General Stuff
Rob Larsen, Susan Martin, J. LeMonds, and D. LeMonds are the only riders to have completed all four GG5Ks . . . Thanks to Al Hansen for bringing five gallons of Vortex IPA from Fort George Brewery. Fort George has signed on as a sponsor of this year’s Tour de Gulch, so expect great beer, raffle items and other swag . . . Big thanks to Sam Loney and Tanya Breedlove for serving as support staff for this year’s ride. They were drinking Blitz-Weinhard, but we love ‘em anyway . . . Finishers earned the first wheel in the quest for the coveted Fist of Five on the 2009 Growlers Gulch ride circuit . . . Ridership was up from 14 in 2008 to 25 this year . . . Approximately 75 percent of riders suffered cramping, despite perfect temperatures in the upper 60s . . . Al Hansen, Eric Loney, Cage Aaron, Todd Edwards, Chris Brannen, Ken Pearson, Ryan McMaster, Bob Juntenen, Dennis Veatch, Jeff Muldoon, Denise Livingston, Aaron Althaeuser, Vaughn Martin, Randy Toney, and Dara Muldoon all were riding in their first Growlers Gulch 5,000.

Team Results
The Three Rivers Cycling Team had a great day, taking three of the top five spots – Van Hoose (1st), Brigman (3rd) and Haight (5th). Ryan McMaster was 14th and Denise Livingston was 18th.

Team PIMP, an offshoot of Portland’s PUMP club, also had five riders in the mix – Cage Aaron (6th), Chris Brannen (9th), Susan Martin (10th), Dennis Veatch (16th), and Aaron Althaeuser (19th).

Results

1. Mike Van Hoose (3:41)
2. Al Hansen (3:49)
3. Lance Brigman (3:50)
4. Eric Loney (3:56)
5. Richard Haight (3:59) 
6. Cage Aaron (4:06)
7. Todd Edwards (4:14)
8. Paul Norris (4:15)
9. Chris Bannen (4:16)
10. Susan Martin (4:17)
11. Rob Larsen (4:26)
12. Ken Pearson (4:30)
13. J. LeMonds (4:33)
14. Ryan McMaster (4:34)
15. Bob Juntenen (4:35)
16. Dennis Veatch (4:35)
17. Andy Crump (4:49)
18. Denise Livingston (4:52)
19. Aaron Althaueser (4:53)
20. Randy Toney (4:47)
21. D. LeMonds (4:58)
22. Melanie Norris (5:19)
23. Jeff Muldoon (5:50)
24. Dara Muldoon (6:07)

****Pacific Northwest biking legend Vaughn Martin, 71, completed legs 1, 3 and 4 in 4:45***