The clouds have parted and the sun appears it will shine on this year’s 45th annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, which kicks off Friday with beer, live music and a bike parade to Buckley Park.
Thousands of bikers from across the country are expected to take part in the Memorial Day weekend activities, including Saturday’s popular 50-mile ride from Durango to Silverton that pits man against machine, i.e., the historical Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, for which the event takes its name.
The trip takes riders over two mountain passes – Coal Bank and Molas, for a total of assent of 6,700 feet.
Races continue Sunday with kids rides, cruiser crits and mountain bike competitions throughout downtown Durango, including mountain bikers who pedal through Steamworks Brewing Co., 801 East Second Ave.
“We’re looking really good,” said Gaige Sippy, race director. “We have a fairly favorable weather forecast. You always have to keep in mind we’re going over two mountain passes in May. ... So, it’s hard to get it perfect, but I think we have favorable conditions – considerably warmer than last year.”
Saturday: The 50-mile ride from Durango to Silverton offers plenty of great viewing spots, including the start line at College Drive and Camino del Rio, where thousands of riders will gather for the Citizens Tour; and the finish line in Silverton, with announcers and sprints to the finish.
“I think that’s probably the best viewing spot from a scenery (perspective) and taking it all in – the festival atmosphere at the end,” Sippy said.
Other exciting view spots along the course include:
Shalona Hill: “It’s the first steep hill leaving town, so that tends to be a good congregation spot for viewing,” Sippy said.South of Needles Store: The last hill before Needles Country Store offers a big climb. “That is where a lot of riders put in a solid effort trying to get a little gap going into that downhill into Needles and get to Coal Bank with less of a group with them.”Race officials discourage large crowds on the mountain passes, between Silverton and Durango. “We don’t want cars moving around in there, so we kind of discourage people from being in that section of the road,” Sippy said.Sunday: A race-filled day will be concentrated in the downtown area starting at 8:30 a.m. with the kids’ race until 4 p.m., with the popular Cruiser Crit.
Starting about 2 p.m., mountain bikers will navigate single-track trails, downtown roads and ride through Steamworks Brewing Co.
“That’s a great spectacle on its own, and it draws a huge crowd,” Sippy said.
Monday: See racers compete individually in a 13.7-mile time trial on East Animas Road (County Road 250), starting just north of Durango city limits and near the top of Shalona Hill.
You may not understand the fashion sense of the Spandex-clad cyclists descending this weekend in Durango, but at least you can understand some of their lingo with this simple glossary of terms:
Peloton: The main pack of riders who stick together to reduce wind resistance and therefore save energy.
Criterium: Also called a crit, is a short, multi-lap course typically consisting of a few city blocks. It tends to be a good spectator event because it allows spectators to see riders up close on multiple passes as they jockey for position.
Circuit race: Similar to a criterium, but longer in duration with fewer laps. Sunday’s circuit race will take riders up around the college and back downtown.
Cruiser crit: In Durango, riders dress up in costume and pedal goofy bikes in a parade-style event. It takes place at 4 p.m. Sunday near Ninth Street and Main Avenue.
Bonking: Riders who hit a wall, meaning they run out of energy.
For Saturday’s race from Durango to Silverton, portable toilets will be distributed about every seven miles from the start to the finish, Sippy said.
On Sunday, portable toilets will be spread throughout downtown, including Ninth Street and Main Avenue, near Steamworks, near El Rancho, and near the Bank of the San Juans.
Spectators can save their voices but still cheer on the riders this weekend by ringing cowbell, which will be given away Friday night at Buckley Park at the Fort Lewis College tent and downtown Sunday.
“We’ll give them out until we run out,” Sippy said.
It wouldn’t be a celebration of cycling without beer. Face Plant, which is a collaboration brew by Ska Brewing Co. and Steamworks Brewing Co. in recognition of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, will be tapped for the kick-off party from 3 to 8 p.m. in Buckley Park. It is also the location for riders to pick up packets. There will be bands and vendors.
“Provided Mother Nature gives us a decent round of weather, it could be a fun evening in Buckley Park on Friday night,” Sippy said.
