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Durango cyclist edges Eagle rider in battle of former Fort Lewis College teammates at Bighorn Gravel
By Ryan Sederquist Follow
rsederquist@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily
· June 20, 2026
· 5 min read
Sam Brown and Henry Nelson know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Nelson can climb. Brown can descend. Nelson is from Kansas and lives in Durango. Brown — born and raised in Eagle County — knows the Bighorn Gravel course like the back of his hand. On Wednesday, the former Fort Lewis College ...
Key takeaway “We worked together for a little while,” said Nelson, who wound up with the win, making amends for a failed first trip to the event back in 2023.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The Bighorn Gravel Ram's Horn Escape title may have been decided in Gypsum, but the real test was Aspen 's neighboring mountain terrain, which cyclists like Henry Nelson and Sam Brown know well. Nelson's win and Brown's second-place finish demonstrate the high level of competition in the region, where cyclists must contend with steep climbs and high elevation. The Ram's Horn Escape course, with its 10,000 feet of climbing, is a formidable challenge that requires a deep understanding of the local landscape and its unique demands. For local cyclists, events like this one are a chance to showcase their skills and knowledge of the terrain, and to test themselves against the best in the region. The fact that Brown, an Eagle County native, was familiar with the course and still came up short against Nelson's climbing prowess, highlights the importance of strategy and adaptability in these events.
About this story
Original reporting by Vail Daily . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Vail Daily . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: Vail Daily ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sam Brown and Henry Nelson know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Nelson can climb. Brown can descend. Nelson is from Kansas and lives in Durango. Brown — born and raised in Eagle County — knows the Bighorn Gravel course like the back of his hand. On Wednesday, the former Fort Lewis College ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by Vail Daily and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Sederquist Follow
rsederquist@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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