Ear to the ground:
“Look at the cute baby cows.”
“Yeah. They’re gonna taste great when they grow up.”
– Two distinctly different takes on calving season in the Four Corners
Durango may be sitting out this year’s USA Pro Challenge, but the race, now in its third year, is rolling full steam ahead.
The 2013 cycling stage race takes place Aug. 19-25 and will send riders on a heart-pounding journey across some of Colorado’s highest-elevation pavement. This year’s route is a more northerly one, including stopovers in Steamboat, Breckenridge and newcomers to the Pro Challenge circuit, Fort Collins and Loveland. The action will start with a circuit race in Aspen, followed the next day by a grueling – yet scenic – grind over 12,096-foot Independence Pass.
Billed as “the largest spectator event in the history of the state,” CEO of the Pro Challenge Shawn Hunter said the 2013 course was chosen for its safe but challenging terrain and the bevy of ideal viewing options. Back by popular demand will be the Vail Time Trial, which was used in the 2011 race and based on the venerable Coors Classic. Additionally, this year will also include 2011’s popular Denver circuit finish.
“We’ve set out to create the greatest professional cycling event in the U.S.,” said Hunter. “Each day is a challenge, which will create some amazing racing. This year is looking like it will be the best yet.”
The nearly 600-mile route is as follows:
- Mon., Aug. 19 - Aspen Circuit
- Tues., Aug. 20 - Aspen to Breckenridge
- Wed., Aug. 21 - Breck to Steamboat
- Thurs., Aug. 22 - Steamboat to Beaver Creek
- Fri., Aug. 23 - Vail Time Trial
- Sat., Aug. 24 - Loveland to Ft. Collins
- Sun. Aug. 25 - Denver Circuit
For info: usaprocyclingchallenge.com.
The event will come in three sizes: 15-, 30-, and 40-Grand (a "grand" = 1 mile) on the popular Lunch Loop, Magellan and Bangs Canyon trails. And while finishers in the Whiskey often have Beam or bacon thrust in their face, Grand Junction will have a more sophisticated air. "Each course will present an authentic cross country mountain bike experience, allowing each finisher to feel pride in a meaningful mountain bike accomplishment, commemorated by a custom wine glass."
And if that doesn't persuade you, perhaps $20k in prize money will.
“Look at the cute baby cows.”
“Yeah. They’re gonna taste great when they grow up.”
– Two distinctly different takes on calving season in the Four Corners
That’s how they roll
Durango may be sitting out this year’s USA Pro Challenge, but the race, now in its third year, is rolling full steam ahead.
The 2013 cycling stage race takes place Aug. 19-25 and will send riders on a heart-pounding journey across some of Colorado’s highest-elevation pavement. This year’s route is a more northerly one, including stopovers in Steamboat, Breckenridge and newcomers to the Pro Challenge circuit, Fort Collins and Loveland. The action will start with a circuit race in Aspen, followed the next day by a grueling – yet scenic – grind over 12,096-foot Independence Pass.
Billed as “the largest spectator event in the history of the state,” CEO of the Pro Challenge Shawn Hunter said the 2013 course was chosen for its safe but challenging terrain and the bevy of ideal viewing options. Back by popular demand will be the Vail Time Trial, which was used in the 2011 race and based on the venerable Coors Classic. Additionally, this year will also include 2011’s popular Denver circuit finish.
“We’ve set out to create the greatest professional cycling event in the U.S.,” said Hunter. “Each day is a challenge, which will create some amazing racing. This year is looking like it will be the best yet.”
The nearly 600-mile route is as follows:
- Mon., Aug. 19 - Aspen Circuit
- Tues., Aug. 20 - Aspen to Breckenridge
- Wed., Aug. 21 - Breck to Steamboat
- Thurs., Aug. 22 - Steamboat to Beaver Creek
- Fri., Aug. 23 - Vail Time Trial
- Sat., Aug. 24 - Loveland to Ft. Collins
- Sun. Aug. 25 - Denver Circuit
For info: usaprocyclingchallenge.com.
Whiskey and wine
And speaking of epic rides, one of fat-wheeled proportions comes to Grand Junction over Labor Day weekend. Epic Rides, the folks who bring us Prescott, Ariz.'s, popular Whiskey Off-Road, has announced the inaugural Grand Junction Off-Road, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1.
And speaking of epic rides, one of fat-wheeled proportions comes to Grand Junction over Labor Day weekend. Epic Rides, the folks who bring us Prescott, Ariz.'s, popular Whiskey Off-Road, has announced the inaugural Grand Junction Off-Road, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1.
The event will come in three sizes: 15-, 30-, and 40-Grand (a "grand" = 1 mile) on the popular Lunch Loop, Magellan and Bangs Canyon trails. And while finishers in the Whiskey often have Beam or bacon thrust in their face, Grand Junction will have a more sophisticated air. "Each course will present an authentic cross country mountain bike experience, allowing each finisher to feel pride in a meaningful mountain bike accomplishment, commemorated by a custom wine glass."
And if that doesn't persuade you, perhaps $20k in prize money will.