Cyclists Conquer Swan River Rampage Mountain Bike Race
On June 25, 2025, the Summit Mountain Challenge race series made a comeback to Breckenridge’s Tiger Road for the first time in three years, hosting the Swan River Rampage. The event, organized from the Good Times Adventures parking lot, drew numerous athletes of all ages eager to compete in a series of exhilarating mountain bike races.
As ominous rain clouds loomed overhead, riders prepared for the long-distance challenge of the 13.1-mile course. In the men’s pro/open category, New Zealand’s Caleb Bottcher quickly established dominance. Representing Yeti Cycles, Enve Composites, Goodyear, and Shimano, Bottcher sped through the course, finishing in an impressive 56 minutes. He was trailed by Ryan Graber from Canon City (59:05) and Nathaniel Vacura of Arvada (59:17). Notably, Breckenridge’s own Taylor Shelden finished fourth overall with a time of 59:21.
Women’s Pro/Open Race
The women’s pro/open race was led by local standout Aila Harmala, racing for The Cycle Effect. Finishning the race in a time of 1:26:24, Harmala was unchallenged in her division, securing the title with her exceptional performance.
Expert Men’s Categories
In the expert men 16- to 39-year-olds division, Dillon’s Jackson Barker led the pack, clocking in at 1:01:58. He was followed by fellow Dillon resident Tony Tull at 1:05:53, and Michael Hand in third place at 1:06:53. In the 40- to 49-year-olds race, Joseph Glass from Manitou Springs triumphed with a time of 1:01:58, while Kevin Dixon and Shawn Meredith from Breckenridge took second and third, finishing at 1:05:01 and 1:05:19 respectively.
Women’s Sport Division
Breckenridge athletes dominated the women’s sport 16-plus race. Michelle Tennant claimed first place (1:34:32), followed by Brittany Krieger (1:38:50) and Courtney Shelden (1:40:36). Julianna Hughes rounded out the top four with a time of 1:41:23. In a solitary effort, Christena Ward from Dillon won the open women’s 45-plus race with a time of 1:27:05.
Single Speed & Junior Races
The expert/single speed races saw Maria Leech win the women’s category (1:18:21) while Dan Durland took home the men’s title (1:21:09). The men’s 60-plus division was clinched by Russell Asleson from Colorado Springs (1:19:26).
Next, the spotlight shifted to junior-level competitions, starting with the kids racing on a 4.8-mile course. In the junior boys 11- to 12-year-olds, Gabe Loomis from Breckenridge took first place in 22:59, followed closely by Miles Drumwright (24:41) and Oliver Gervais (24:44). The junior girls 11- to 12-year-olds champion was Nellie Greenwood, who finished her race in 29:45, racing alone in her age division.
Competitive Spirit in Junior Categories
In the junior boys 9- to 10-year-olds race, Henry Drumwright won with a time of 27:43, while Zebulon Stamp (30:59) and Carson Ebert (34:03) secured second and third places. The girls’ division was fierce, with Iris Ryan emerging victoriously at 31:28. Madelyn Letson and Laurel Sullivan finished second and third (34:06, 34:09). Meanwhile, Ezra Stamp won the junior boys 8-and-under race in a time of 35:96.
Junior Boys 13-15 and Girls Race
In another competitive race, Elliot Drumwright claimed victory in the junior boys 13- to 15-year-olds division, completing the course in 45:53, followed closely by teammates from Team Summit. The junior girls race was particularly thrilling, culminating in a close finish where Finnley Stanek of Leadville narrowly edged out Breckenridge’s Lucy Greenwood for first place.
Looking Ahead
With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the Summit Mountain Challenge race series will take a short break. The next event on the calendar, the annual Firecracker 50, will be hosted by Race Breck on July 4, followed by the resumption of the series with the Aspen Attack race.
| Category | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Pro/Open | Caleb Bottcher | 56:00 |
| Women’s Pro/Open | Aila Harmala | 1:26:24 |
| Junior Boys 11-12 | Gabe Loomis | 22:59 |
| Junior Girls 11-12 | Nellie Greenwood | 29:45 |
