Lance Armstrong Pushes For Cycling Stage Race In Colorado
This just emerging from the rumor stage… 850 KOA radio is announcing that they’ve confirmed with Governor Bill Ritter that he and Lance Armstrong have had two meetings to discuss bringing a major stage race to Colorado. Gov. Ritter stated that they discussed the return of the Coors Classic, although it’s unlikely that Coors has been secured as a sponsor. In fact, among the topics discussed in the meetings was reported to have been potential sponsor support.
Other Colorado race directors have recently been looking at bringing in a new stage race to the state, but a major event has yet to be developed. The star power of Lance may be the ingredient needed to really give legs to such an event. His part-time residency in Colorado has helped to bring the spotlight to the state, especially legitimate when he actually races. His participation in races such as the Leadville 100 and 12 Hours of Snowmass brought national attention to the competitive Colorado mountain bike scene. And according to Lance’s Twitter feed, he convinced Levi Leipheimer to join him in this year’s Leadville 100.
Since it seems to make the news any time Lance pees (or doesn’t pee), we’ll certainly all be the first to know if anything develops…
Community Classic Bike Tour - Free Entry!!
Free Entry to the 22nd Annual Community Classic Bike Tour - May 17th
Racing Colorado is offering a limited number of free entries to this beautiful ride through the foothills of Larimer County. The ride starts in Loveland, and you can choose to ride 10 miles, 30 miles, 37 miles, or the full 62-mile course.
The “CCBT” is a great way to enjoy spring time on 2 wheels in Colorado. It’s also good training for other rides later in the season. For full details of the ride, click here.
“So how can I get the free entry?”
There are two options to enter the drawing. You may click here to complete a short survey about active events in Colorado. Alternatively, just add a comment to this or any post here on RaceBlog. Be sure to mention something like, “Hey, set me up with a free CCBT entry!” Note: Your email address will NOT be published and will only be used to contact winners (so be sure to include an email that you check regularly).
Boulder Cyclist Phinney Takes World Cycling Title
Colorado cyclist, Taylor Phinney, continues to excel at a very young age. He took the pursuit title at the track cycling world champs in Poland, then pulled out a silver in his backup race, the 1km. In breaking his own American pursuit record set a month ago, he became the first American track champion in 13 years.
At 18 years old, Taylor has achieved a lot of success at an early age. Hopefully it’s a sign of more to come in future years. More to come from Poland…
For those of you who Twitter, check him out at www.twitter.com. He’s pretty prolific, and drops a few gems now & then like “the kilo is hard..“ Take a look at http://twitter.com/taylorphinney
Keep slayin’ ‘em, Taylor!
New Colorado Mountain Bike Stage Race
While not official yet, it looks like Colorado will host a premier mountain bike stage race next year. MB Word, the blog of mountainbike.com announced plans by promoter, Mike McCormack, to host “Breck Epic” next July. Details apparently still need to be finalized before the official announcement and launch of the race web site at breckepic.com.
McCormack, whose previous involvement with other Colorado mountain bike races such as the Mountain States Cup series and G3 gravity series, brings the experience needed to launch a logistically-complex, multi-day stage race. The focus of this 5-day race will be on quality. From MB Word:
In a departure from point-to-point races like BC and TransRockies, the Breck Epic will use a “cloverleaf” model, with each day’s stage starting and finishing in Breckenridge. As McCormack explained it, that means a single campground, no transfers and the possibility of lodging…. offering a maximum of remote alpine singletrack and a minimum of pavement or even fire roads. “The Breck Epic is intended to be a rugged backcountry experience,” he said in his initial announcement. As part of that, McCormack cautions that the courses will be long, with 90 percent of the terrain above 10,000 feet in elevation, cut-off times strictly enforced and this is not the sort of event a weekend warrior should pick for his one-time-a-year extreme challenge.
Let’s hope for the best on this one. We know Colorado has awesome mountain biking, and a race like this would bring the potential for one of the finest mountain bike races in the country.
Colorado Gold Mountain Biking
Another perfect Colorado cycling day.
Well, I did make it to Kenosha pass - along with seemingly every other mountain biker, hiker, walker, and dog. Truly, the Colorado Trail at Kenosha this weekend was the busiest trail in Colorado I’ve ever seen. But give me a day in the saddle on a busy, beautiful Colorado trail over a day in the ‘burbs any day! My advice: get out there while you can, but go on a weekday. The aspen are just amazing, and whether you need a training ride/run, or just a breath of fresh air, Kenosha pass is the most abundant groves close to the front range that I know of. Any others?
Perfect Colorado Mountain Biking
I know…. We’re supposed to be about racing, but this post about mountain biking on the Colorado trail at Kenosha Pass caught my attention. It’s not competitive, just a scenic Colorado bike ride through the aspen groves. I shouldn’t say anything, ’cause I’m planning to go this weekend. Don’t tell anyone…
Cyclocross Underway in Colorado Cycling Season
Cyclocross season is upon us, and races are still being added to the RacingColorado.com cycling calendar.
If you’re not familiar with this exciting sport, it’s a super-fun way to continue your racing season into the Fall, and early winter, and part of what makes cycling in Colorado so fun. This is an off-road criterium style race, complete with barriers and dismounts. It’s a sport that truly embraces the unpredictable Colorado weather, and welcomes newbies. You’ll generally need an ACA or USCA license, but you can always get a one-day license inexpensively. If you don’t have a ‘cross bike, not to worry. You can ride your mountain bike if you like - that’s not too unusual, especially in the lower divisions. It’s also a fantastic spectator sport, so go check out a race to see what the excitement’s all about. I found this video of last year’s State Champs Pro Division on the website of On The Cross, who is hosting this years Junior Championships.
This Just In… 6 Day Races Returns To CSU Oval
I Heard the announcement today that beginning on Sunday September 21, the FCVA will be holding practice track races on the CSU Oval every Sinday from12:30-4:30 PM. Although less structured than last Spring’s races, both road and track riders are invited. Five bucks for as many heats as you care to race. Tim, any more details? Watch the Fort Collins Velodrome Assn site for updates.
Congrats to Colorado State Univ National Cycling Champ Lionberg
CSU Cycling had a great showing at National in Colorado Springs over the weekend. The team was led by graduate student Dan Lionberg, as he edged out David Espinoza of Penn State for the individual title. Weather at the velodrome was a major factor in the events over the weekend. The cold and wet made for slick conditions on the track, causing Lionberg to slip on the 1KM time trial (he was allowed a restart). Several events were postoned by the rain, and one was cancelled. For a full report, check out the Collegian article here.
Colorado Runs Before The Candidates Run
Okay, so we’re talking about a whole different kind of running. Both Obama and Palin are coming to Colorado to visit us on Monday. As far as I know, they’re not involved in any of the real running the rest of us will do.
Lots going on this weekend. Just a few of note: Harvest Moon, Farmers 5k, Roadkill, Octoberfest, Sombrero Ranch, and El Grito. Brectobercross starts of Cyclocross for the weekend, and for those more casual riders, the classic Tour de Fat. Check the brief RSS event listings in the column to the right, or check the full calendars at RacingColorado.com. Save some energy for Monday so you can either support your candidate or grill their opponent - or just go to work like the rest of us…
Upcoming Colorado Events- Breckenridge Independence 10K
- Lone Tree Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
- HRCA July 4th Independence Day 5K Run/Walk
- Superior Downhill Mile
- Boogie`s Diner Buddy 5 Mile Race
- Liberty Run 4 Mile
- Spruce Canyon 5K
- Scar Top Mountain Run
- PLES 27th Annual Fun Run
- Freedom Fun Run/Walk
- The Jericho Jog
- Blue Ribbon Fun Run/Walk
- The 40th Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk, or Crawl 1/3d Marathon
- Georgetown Fourth of July 5K Fun Run
- 4th of July Half Marathon and 5k
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