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Crested Butte Fesitval closing day: A Jason Sumner gallery

By Jason Sumner, Special to VeloNews
Published: Jun. 26, 2005
A member of the CBFD team heads out on another lap at the 24 hour townie tour
A member of the CBFD team heads out on another lap at the 24 hour townie tour

There was quite a contrast on the final day of festivities at the Crested Butte Fat Tire Bike Week on Sunday afternoon. While a mix of amateur and pro downhillers competed in the final event of the fifth annual Wildflower Rush up on the tacky slopes of Mount Crested Butte, a band of 63 riders were contesting the final hours of the first annual Bridges of the Butte 24 Hour Townie Tour.

This was one of three sweat suits that Than Acuff donned during the 24-hour townie tour in which he was the on
This was one of three sweat suits that Than Acuff donned during the 24-hour townie tour in which he was the on

The downhill event was preceded by a Super D race held on a cloudy morning here in the cradle of the Elk Mountains. Rain rolled through on and off, delaying the downhill several times, and delaying final results for both events.

The weather didn’t seem to faze the riders down in town, though. The event, which raised about $2000 for the local adaptive sports center, was the brainchild of local resident John Hopper. He explained that while sitting around trying to come up with a way to raise money for a program the center runs in Argentina, the idea of the 24-hour townie bike race was born. Local enthusiasm quickly snowballed and there was already talk of a repeat in 2006 following this year’s race.

The bikes come in all shapes and sizes here at Crested Butte Fat Tire Week
The bikes come in all shapes and sizes here at Crested Butte Fat Tire Week

As for the winners, being that there were no categories like in traditional 24-hour races, the top team was the Crested Butte Fire Department, which fielded a squad of 16 rides to easily outdistance the other seven teams. The fire department also helped out with feeding the other competitors and built a bonfire to keep people warm overnight. There was rain and sleet reported at 4 a.m.

But most of the post-race accolades went to the event’s lone soloist, Than Acuff, the former sports editor at the Crested Butte paper. Stopping only to change in and out of the three vintage sweat suits that were his hallmark, Acuff survived the night and looked ready to get down to the business of drinking beer at the post race party.

With Mount Crested Butte in the background, a racer heads toward the finish during the Wildflower Rush downhil
With Mount Crested Butte in the background, a racer heads toward the finish during the Wildflower Rush downhil

Acuff’s secret, besides the sweat suits of course?

“Backwoods cigars,” he said, chewing on one as he spoke. “When I was feeling tired I would light one up. When I was thirsty I would suck on the end.”

Bike racks packed with clunkers and cruisers of all shapes and sizes are commonplace in Crested Butte.
Bike racks packed with clunkers and cruisers of all shapes and sizes are commonplace in Crested Butte.

That's not a technique we've seen in any of Joe Friel's training guides.

Check out the gallery below for some of the highlights from both events.

Crested Butte local Than Acuff was the only rider to complete the 24-hour townie race as a soloist. He claimed
Crested Butte local Than Acuff was the only rider to complete the 24-hour townie race as a soloist. He claimed

Photo Gallery