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Cruiser Crit cyclists get creative with colorful costumes

In 2016, Memorial Day patriotism tops the charts

A man dressed as America, a bunny rabbit and carrot duo, and a team of four garbed as the seasons took first, second and third place, respectively, in the 2016 Iron Horse Classic “Cruiser Crit” race.

On Sunday, awaiting at the start line was a bizarre array of colorful costumes – a stark contrast from other Iron Horse events, which include highly competitive races among international bicyclists.

Kristy Gronseth, dressed as the fall in the seasonal quadracycle, said the group of friends from Albuquerque come to Durango every year to participate in the “Cruiser Crit.”

In past years, Gronseth said the team took on themes that include the “Full House” TV show, a Fruit of the Loom-inspired ensemble and the “Un-Incredibles” – a play on the Pixar animated film.

“We’re always trying to figure out costumes that deal with fours,” Gronseth said.

Bruce Gronseth, dressed as the sun to convey summer, said it was good to switch gears to the light-hearted race. On Saturday, he beat the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge train by 10 minutes.

“I beat it every year,” he said. “But as I get older, that train gets closer and closer.”

Janet Vertexes, a snowwoman, hit her own personal goal.

“I beat it to the bridge,” she joked.

Katie Boscov and her husband, Dominic, inherited a 40-year-old bunny costume from her aunt who lives in Chicago. Little did she know the musty, old costume would win her second place in Durango’s offbeat event.

“She just gave it to us when we moved to Durango a year-and-a half-ago,” Bosco said. “I’m like 8,000 degrees right now.”

Joe Williams and his “Go Joe Go” costume advocating for Parkinson’s disease awareness was enjoying the warm Sunday afternoon. He was covered in as many cowbells as could possibly fit on one human.

“Yesterday, I completed the race in 5 hours, which is a new world record for Joe Williams,” he joked. “But today is all about celebrating Durango and the community here.”

Erin Williamson and her sons, Cooper and Ethan, along with her partner, Megan Johnson, may not have placed in the top three, but their safari theme was a clear crowd favorite.

Ethan, a hunter on a scooter, chased down his prey: Cooper, a kangaroo also on a scooter, and Erin, a pink flamingo, and Megan, who made cycling look easy while wearing an alligator head.

“I’m just trying to keep it so I can see,” Johnson said before the race. “It seemed way easier at home before I got on this bicycle.”

Yet, the undisputed winner was Sean Meissner, drabbed from head to toe in red, white and blue in honor of Memorial Day weekend. When the crowd was tasked with cheering in a fan favorite, a tip to the country’s veterans was in order.

“It’s Memorial Day weekend so I thought I’d be patriotic,” said Meissner at the start line.

Faced with “The Colbert Show’s” hyperbolic patriotism line of questioning, when asked if America is a great or the greatest country of all time, Meissner responded: “We’re going to have to say greatest. As long as somebody doesn’t get elected.”

Sponsored by Durango Cyclery, the full costume parade’s winner took home a spool with a bouquet of flowers wrapped around it.

“I just had all these things lying around,” Meissner said of the red, white and blue socks, shoes, shorts and other pieces of clothing that won the crowd over.

jromeo@durangoherald.com



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