Visit Durango recently announced its inaugural Spoketober, a community cycling event that will take place throughout the month of October in Durango and La Plata County.
Spoketober is aimed to be a celebration of Durango’s tight-knit and passionate cycling community, highlighting decades of dedication and sweat equity its residents have committed to make Durango a top cycling destination.
Spoketober is designed to bolster the town’s cycling legacy and will feature a wide variety of inclusive, cycling-centric events for all levels and disciplines, organized by local groups, cycling teams and retailers.
“Spoketober aims to bring together all aspects of Durango’s multifaceted cycling community,” said Rachel Brown, executive director of Visit Durango. “We hope to create a fun month of programming for locals and visitors alike, all amid a time when Durango and La Plata County is flourishing with incredible fall colors.”
Spoketober will include a bike commuting empowerment group ride, a bicycle recycle and upcycle clinic, a costume bike parade with DEVO and a community cruise with the Adaptive Sports Association. Additional activities throughout the month include sweepstakes and giveaways, virtual events, bike races and other organized rides open to the community.
Spoketober will kick off at 5 p.m. Oct. 3 at Mountain Bike Specialists with a meet and greet featuring Durango cycling legend Ned Overend, Todd Wells, Payson McElveen, Howard Grotts, Ellen Campbell and other local pro riders.
Other notable events include the “Share the Love Cycle” bicycle recycle and upcycle that will benefit the Navajo Nation from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9 at Buckley Park; a group ride from Fort Lewis College to Buckley Park on Oct. 9; Durango DEVO’s Kids Halloween Bike Parade on Oct. 28; and the Homegrown Adventure Film Fest at the Durango Welcome Center on Oct. 31.
The USA Cycling collegiate mountain bike national championships will also return to Purgatory Resort during Spoketober, Oct. 13-16.
A full calendar of events can be found at https://www.durango.org/spoketober/
“Durango is a very special place for cyclists because of the trails we have and our cycling community,” said Rotem Ishay, director of Team Durango Segment 28, a local development race team named after Segment 28 of the Colorado Trail.
“Our extensive trail system welcomes riders of all levels, beginners to professionals,” he said. “Our cycling community is diverse, supportive and inclusive. Whatever bike you enjoy riding, Durango is a lovely place to be a cyclist!”
