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Locals 2007

Locals 2007 - a celebration of our favorite personalities.

Steamboat Springs — After pedaling to a starting line 54 times in 2006, Barkley Robinson of Steamboat Springs is more than just a super-fit athlete. He's one of the savviest competitors you could ever go up against.

"I love the strategy that goes into bicycle racing," he said.

Robinson plans to spend much of his free time mountain biking this summer - he won eight of nine races in the Town Challenge Series last summer. What many don't know is that for a decade, Robinson, 33, has traveled the country as a professional road cyclist.

Robinson gave up his spot on the Team Rio Grande cycling group this year and accepted a sponsorship from Giant Bicycles to become a professional mountain biker.

"It was a difficult decision," Robinson said. "I've been road racing for 10 years. I've loved every minute of it, but it has been totally consuming."

Robinson pursues a career in civil engineering with Studer Engineering in Steamboat Springs and is the co-owner of Mountain Cuts barbershop.

Last season, he traveled thousands of miles to compete in races in five states with Team Rio Grande. Most serious road bikers live in a milder climate where they can ride on pavement all winter. Robinson prefers the cross training afforded by Nordic ski racing in Steamboat.

"I like the break from the bike and the Nordic skiing in winter," he said. "It transfers well to cycling, and at the start of the cycling season, I'm mentally fresh."

Additionally, he's proud of his efforts to raise the level of citizen road biking in Routt County.

"It's given me immense satisfaction to organize and coach our weekly group road ride, which I've built from a handful of riders into a strong group of 40 to 50 cyclists per ride," he said.

Robinson is looking forward to a long career on the dirt.

"In cycling," he said, "you just keep getting better as you get older."

- Story and photo by Tom Ross