Ear to the ground:

"That's what happens when you don't spay and neuter your bike."

– One FLC student to another upon passing an over-capacity bike rack on campus

A new spin

Do you have bike on the brain? Are your gears constantly in overdrive? Organizers for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic are asking locals to churn out their ideas to make the longstanding Memorial Day festivities even better.

"IHBC staff and Board members are soliciting input from race participants, local officials and residents and business owners in the Durango and Silverton communities to maximize the enjoyment and participation in the 42-year-old annual Memorial Day Weekend event," read a news release.

Recently, a working group formed, tasked with envisioning IHBC’s future and establishing goals to improve the race for spectators and participants; improve business and commerce in participating communities; and reduce impacts on local infrastructure. The goals include expanding and re-inventing events on Sunday and Monday as well as looking for ways to expand and improve the popular Saturday race. 

“Although we routinely sell out our flagship (Saturday) race in a matter of days, there is always room for improvement, and revisiting our vision and mission from time to time keeps us looking forward,” said IHBC Head Honch Ed Zink. “We’re looking for ways to work with other organizations within the cycling community."

The IHBC working group believes now is a perfect time to examine the event and plan for the future because the organization is currently searching for a new  director and support staff.

“The administrative team of Gaige Sippy and Anne Cheeney has raised the standard of excellence for this event in recent years, and they will be sorely missed," IHBC Vice Honch Chris Vivolo said. "In looking forward, we felt that this was the perfect time to revisit our goals while we search for a new director. We anticipate that person will have a lot of influence on how future events are created and managed."

The next installment of the IHBC takes place May 24-26, 2014, marking the 43rd anniversary of Colorado’s largest and oldest cycling event. Last year 4,000 riders from 44 states, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Germany participated. In 2013, the road race and tour sold out in a matter of days with some. Registration for 2014 opens Dec. 1.

To spin your thoughts to the powers that be, email: input@ironhorsebicycleclassic.com. For info on the race go to: www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

All hands on deck

Just another friendly reminder to clear your schedules and join your fellow Durango hand-holding brethren and sistren for the second annual Durango Connect at 10 a.m. next Wed., Oct. 2. We repeat: the Connect will take place Wed., Oct. 2. (Not Wed., Oct 3, as was previously published in the Telegraph, which isn't an actual date. But hopefully you were smart enough to figure that out by now.)

The event is a community-wide celebration that will be highlighted, hopefully, by the formation of a human chain along the 7.2 miles Animas River Trail.

About 9,000 people participated in 2012 – which equates to 18,000 hands, give or take a few. Alas, that still was not enough, with a few intermittent gaps along the way. However, with sections of the trail behind Durango Harley Davison and the BMX as well as 29th Street to 32nd Street closed for construction, maybe, just maybe, a true Durango connection can be made.

For more info, go to: www.DurangoConnect.com.