photos by David Halterman

Downtown Durango became a high-speed, figure-eight race course on Sunday with the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Criterium. Thousands of spectators lined the streets to see the areas strongest riders up close and personal. Or maybe everyone showed up to the Cruiser Criterium to see some of Durangosstrangestriders up close and personal. However, the ever popular Cruiser Crit was not just a feast for the eyes. Proceeds from the charitable event, headed by Russell Zimmermann and the crew at Durango Cyclery, raised more than $1,500 for the Smiley Bike Project, which in the spirit of the late, great Melvin Smylie donates bikes to those you need wheels. Either way, the festivities at Sundays crit beg the question, Why go to Silverton at all? Keep on pedalin