Kona Super Grassroots rider Caruso Shanafelt raced the Alpine Bank La Strada La Plata over the weekend as part of the 51st Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, CO. In a stacked field of Colrado rippers, Carusro would lead ad the first three splits but eventually finish off the podium in 8th place. Check out his full report below.
“The Alpine Bank La Strada La Plata Is the Gravel race edition of the 51st Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, CO. featuring 100 miles of rolling farmland and mountains of La Plata County Colorado.
We immediately surged up and out of town via Horse Gulch Road, an 850ft climb on a rocky double-track service road, to make the early selection of about 10-12. The route then took us onto the beautiful rolling gravel roads in the farmland SE of town. I played to my strengths as a larger rider and kept the speed high for the first 50 miles. I threw a few concerted attacks and stuck my nose in the wind a lot to string the group out. Eventually, it whittled us down to 7 and we had cruised at almost 22mph for the first 50 miles.
We then followed a road into the foothills of the San Juan mountains. The next 50 would include the bulk of the 7000ft of climbing throughout the course. I managed to stick with the group until the second major climb and kept chasing as attacks flew up and over the next few passes. I stopped at an aid station at mile 80 to fill up on water and Solo’d my way back down into Durango to secure 8th.
I planned to use this race as practice for fueling and tactics for higher profile races on the schedule, and I am happy with how my mind and body perform. Content with my result, especially with the highly concentrated pool of talent here in Durango. I’m thankful to be back racing and am excited to be competing in both MTB and Gravel events soon at the Epic Bike Fest in Wisconsin!” – Caruso Shanafelt
