Mike Rust, one of the early pioneers of mountain biking in Colorado has been missing since 2009, when he apparently went after intruders to his Saguache County home. He was never seen again. In January, human remains were found near his home in Saguache County, between Highways 17 and 285. Last month, Mountain Bike Rider reported that Human Remains Found in Colorado Believed to Belong to Missing Mountain Bike Hall of Famer. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now investigating the cold case. The remains were collected in an attempt to positively identify them, however the family, according to a Denver Post interview has no doubts that the remains are those of Mike Rust. Along with the human remains, a unique bicycle-sprocket belt buckle, was also discovered. Mike’s brother, Karl explains “We believe the remains of our brother have been found. The belt buckle was very unique. I’ve never seen another one like it.”
Rust was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, previously located in Crested Butte, in 1991. He was near and dear to the local mountain biking community.
For a more intimate look at the life and disappearance of Mike Rust, read The Lost Father of Mountain Biking published in a recent article by Bicycling.
