Ear to the ground
“It’s snowing like a bitch … if that’s really a term.”
– Downtown weather report during Tuesday’s surprise snowstorm
Even dirtier
The U.S. Pro Challenge may be taking a hiatus (see “Mountain Exchange,” p. 9) but Todd & Ned’s Durango Dirt Fondo is grinding ahead – quite literally. Organizers announced this week the second annual will feature a gravel stage, in addition to the singletrack leg.
This year’s event is set for Sept. 17-18, with the singletrack portion taking place Saturday and the gravel stage Sunday. Formally called the “La Strada La Plata,” the gravel ride will offer 70-mile and 35-mile options with several timed sections. Food, and mechanical and medical support will also be provided as well as prizes for the timed segments.
Ned Overend, who happens to be the “Ned” in “Todd & Ned’s,” has reportedly been busy doing recon for the gravel section. He said the addition came at the request of riders in last year’s fondo. “Many pressed us to add a gravel stage,” he said. “The new format accommodates those that just want to experience our trails, those that want gravel and those that want an epic weekend of both.”
And for those who want to go the “epic” route (the MTB stage comes in a standard 50-mile or 30-mile “short” course), their pain and suffering will not go unnoticed. Everyone who muscles through both days will receive an “exclusive” King/Queen of the Dirt commemorative gift.
If this sounds like your idea of fun, hurry. Registration is capped at 500 and there’s only 6½ months to get that underside primed.
Registration opens March 7 at www.ToddandNedFondo.com. This year’s title sponsor is Fort Lewis College, the alma mater of Todd Wells, who happens to be the “Todd” in “Todd and Ned’s.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Trails 2000; Fort Lewis College Cycling Team Scholarship Fund; and Mercy Health Foundation.
Hot laps
And speaking of priming the underside, wax up those long boards and sharpen those edges for a night of vert. Next Wed., March 2, the FLC Environmental Center is hosting its “Ski for the EC” fundraiser at Hesperus from 4 - 9 p.m.
Participants in the five-hour lap-a-thon are asked to get pledges for each lap skied and then yo-yo as long as their legs and psyches can handle it. The winner – aside from gaining notoriety from here to Mancos Hill – will be awarded two lift tickets to Telluride (which, we are told, has longer runs than Hespie.)
A bonfire and hot cocoa will be on hand to help warm those frozen appendages. And to sweeten the pot, participants will receive discounted lift tickets, and those with more than three pledges at $5/lap or one at $15/lap get to ski free. For more info or to sign up, go to www.fortlewis.edu/environmentalcenter.