Ear to the ground

 “Boy, I’m glad I skipped that Superbowl Party.”

– A Durangoan after hearing that a local gourmand had been struck by stomach flu shortly after kick-off

Burnt in Telluride

A Four Corners institution went up in smoke this week. The door closed on 34 years of independent business when Baked in Telluride burned to the ground late on the evening of Feb. 9.

“When it was over, chunks of Telluride history lay on the ground smoldering,” wrote the Telluride Daily Planet.

Baked in Telluride has operated on Fir Street in the heart of downtown Telluride since 1975. Founded by longtime local Jerry Green, B.I.T. became known for baked goods, pizza, home-brewed beer and championing environmental causes well ahead of the curve during the dark era of Reaganomics. The pop and mom business also spawned the “Baked in Telluride” T-shirt, which some credit with helping put the small ski town on the global map.

The blaze began around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, according to thePlanet, and firefighters believe a grease trap beneath the floor was the culprit. Hundreds gathered to watch as the Telluride icon went up in flames, according to the report, and Green was among them.

“All the while, Jerry Greene, the bakery’s owner, stood in the street in front of his bakery and simply watched, his eyes reflecting his burning building.”

Off to the races

Put down the shovel, stash the skis and dig out your bike shoes. Bike racing returns to Durango next week. The Hub Training Center will offer “warm winter racing” next Tues., Feb. 16.

Riders will square off on the Hub’s eight-rider Computrainer and see who’s actually held onto their legs during this endless winter. “The new version of the roller races, high tech and no falling off your bike” is open to the first 40 entrants, and the $10 admission goes to the Safe Roads Coalition. The Hub is at 489 Florida Rd. and can be contacted at 375-7744.

Winter road racing will also continue through February. Fort Lewis College and the Irish Embassy will host roller races Feb. 24 and give riders that rare opportunity to carbo load and carbo burn at the same time.