Riders were also able to check in gear bags at the start and pick them up at the finish.
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No need to worry about how to get my bike back. Bike transport from Silverton to Durango was included and I was able to check my bike in right after crossing the finish line. Race organizers definitely made things fairly easy for riders to enjoy the entire experience. Other options include buying a shuttle bus ticket back to Durango or bribing a stranger to drive you back. If you plan on doing this as part of your weekend, it is highly recommended purchasing your train ticket when registering for your event as it sells out early. It was a beautiful and relaxing four hour ride through the San Juan Mountains. I was greeted with cheering and even more cowbell as I rode through the main part of town on Greene Street to the finish at Silverton Memorial Park.Īfter the finish of my race, I hopped on the train back to Durango. Once you reach this point, you are done climbing and can enjoy the fast sweeping descent into the town of Silverton. The top of Molas Pass was definitely a sight for sore eyes. After reaching the top of Coal Bank Pass you get a short but much welcomed break, 2-3 mile descent before starting the 4 mile climb up to Molas Pass (10,910’). Many seasoned riders, myself included, were found hopping off our bikes along the way to stretch out aching lower backs. The climb from Purgatory up to Coal Bank Pass (elevation 10,640’), although only 4-5 miles long, will test your climbing ability like no other. Similar grades as Squaw Pass Road (Evergreen, CO), it is a very scenic section going past various points of interests including Honeyville, a locally-owned beekeeping and honey bottling business. The start to Purgatory was definitely a great warm up to the rest of the race. The three major “checkpoints” along the route with basic support (porto-potties, hydration, snacks) were the Purgatory Ski Area, Coal Bank Pass, and Molas Pass. Along the course there were plenty of cowbell and cheers from locals, fans, and race volunteers. The start of the RR was at Durango High School, and each division went off every 4 minutes. Cyclists wanting to do a shorter ride could do the Quarter Horse, a 25 mile tour from Durango to Purgatory Ski Resort.Īs far as my own personal experience as a first-timer at the IHBC, I opted for the Road Race. Riders were then greeted at the finish line in downtown Silverton with a fun finish line festival which included a beer garden, food vendors, and much more. Down by the train station was the McDonald’s Citizens Tour to Silverton, starting with the whistle blow of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train. The Durango Coca-Cola Road Race was a timed event with cash prizes awarded to winners. Saturday was the main day for the road cycling portion of the weekend. The vibe was definitely very laid back and I was impressed by how far many riders traveled for the chance to “beat the train.”Īt the IHBC, there are activities for every type and ability of riders. The weekend of the IHBC, Buckley Park in downtown Durango turns into a fun festival location with live music, vendors, and bike parade. Check out Tom’s story of the origin of the race here.įor a town with the population of around 18,000, Durango has an impressive offering of really tasty restaurants, fun retail shops, wide variety of outdoor activities, and plenty of lodging options. In 1972, Tom conceived the idea to turn his favorite cycling route into an organized race. Tom beat the train and won the Baby Ruth candy bar and bragging rights. As the train came by the house, the steam whistle screamed and Tom climbed on his trusty steel framed 10-speed and rode all the way into Silverton. One day Tom challenged Jim to a race to Silverton. Tom was a young cyclist who grew up near the train tracks to Silverton. Jim worked as a brakeman for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, which ran the steam powered locomotive between Durango and Silverton.
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic started out as a race between two brothers, Tom and Jim Mayer, with a Baby Ruth candy bar as the winner’s prize. You can see it in the infrastructure around town. This event has a long history, celebrating over 100 years of cycling in Durango. I heard of this small city just north of the Colorado-New Mexico border and the perfect opportunity to visit presented itself in the form of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. The jaw-dropping views from every turn of the road and my bike ride on the Million Dollar Highway made me want to come back for more. Last August I did my first road trip out to the southwestern part of our beautiful state and landed in Ouray. As a Colorado resident for the last 17.5 years, most of my in-state exploration has been limited to areas near the Front Range and ski resorts.
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