-
Feb 4, 2008 2:48 pm US/Mountain
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Ride The Rockies Starts In Durango This Year
Written by CBS4 Critic at Large Greg Moody
DENVER (CBS4) ―
It's that time of the year again. Time to dust off the bike, put down that last can of Milwaukee's Best and reach for the not-quite-fitting-anymore Spandex, because the latest route for The Denver Post Ride the Rockies has been announced.
The worrisome thing about this year's course through the southwest portions of the state is that, at the moment, it's buried under numerous feet of snow. If we don't have a warm, dry spring, it could be chilly and snow covered at elevation. But, then again, we don't want it too dry or warm, because that leads to wildfires.
This year's route kicks off on June 15 in Durango with a 49 mile stage to Cortez. That's very different from last year's opener, which piled on nearly a century. This time, we've all got a chance to shake the cobwebs out of our legs before the first major climb.
That comes on Day 2 with a trek up Lizard Head Pass and then on to Telluride. A night there, and it's over the Dallas Divide and into Montrose. From Montrose, we hit this year's longest stage, 92 miles and two climbs to Crested Butte, a town we've only visited twice in the past. There, we get a rest day -- and somehow I think we're going to need it.
Chandler Smith, the new director of The Denver Post Ride the Rockies tour, says that both volunteers and riders will need that day of rest midweek.
"We've got a lot of volunteers who work nearly 24 hours a day to make sure everything happens the way it should," Smith told me. "They need some time to breathe, as do the participants themselves. After the longest stage of this year's tour, they're going to appreciate a day off."
After a day off in Crested Butte, it's back on the bike for one of the most interesting stages -- a ride through Colorado's back country. Out of Crested Butte, we travel up and over Cottonwood Pass. It's a route that includes 5 miles of dirt road.
"Supposedly, it's hard packed," Smith assured me. "But, given the wet weather this season -- who knows what we'll find?"
A total of 72 miles after leaving Crested Butte, and we roll into Buena Vista.
Now, the one stage that had everyone talking last year was the next-to-last stage, from Aspen to Leadville over Independence Pass. This year, I'm thinking the "talker" will come on that final day, with the trek up and over Trout Creek Pass, and then, after a brief descent, up and over Hoosier Pass. Sure, you'll get to fly into Breckenridge, but the climb to the top is going to be ... ooo ... how do I put this? Let's just say -- memorable.
Smith is pleased with the route, especially given that this is his first year as Ride the Rockies director, replacing Paul Balaguer.
"I'm pleased," Smith said, "that this is the route with which I begin my tenure."
And, I've got to admit, it is a good one.
Registration is now open until Feb. 22. Then, a lottery process will randomly choose the 2,000 riders for this year's tour.
I can't wait. And I hope to see you there.
(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)