The Colorado Classic begins Thursdays here in Colorado Springs. The team here at Enduro Bites will be among the 10,000+ people expected to show up for the first stage alone.
We’ll be providing Enduro Bites and Beta Red samples during the first two days of the Colorado Classic (Colorado Springs and Breckenridge). We’ll also have exclusive discount cards available upon request. Look for us in the official expo for these stages.
We’ll also be participating in the expo on Day 2 held in Breckenridge. So, if you miss us in Colorado Springs, come on up to the high country to say hello.
The Colorado Classic aims to revive Colorado’s pro cycling scene, following on the heels of The Pro Challenge, which drew huge crowds but ultimately proved financially insolvent. Investors in the Colorado Classic hope that by mixing the pro races with amateur races and combining it with a bike, music, and craft festival they can create an event that lasts the test of time.
The Velorama Festival will be held in the Denver’s RiNo Art District Friday through Sunday (tickets required). Music and vendors, including yours truly, will also be on hand at the start/finish of the Colorado Springs and Breckenridge stages – there is no admission cost on these days!
All four stages of the Colorado Classic feature courses with the start and finish at the same location — as opposed to point-to-point races — and stages 1, 2 and 4 are circuits with multiple laps on the courses. This gives spectators repeated opportunities to see elite racers in action.
Stage 1 in Colorado Springs will cover a total of 93.5 miles as riders push the pace for six laps on a 15.58-mile course in the shadow of Pikes Peak, running between downtown Colorado Springs and the sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods.
Colorado Classic - Stage 1 from Velorama & Colorado Classic on Vimeo
Stage 2 will cover 64 miles in the scenic mining town of Breckenridge. During 10 laps on the 6.4-mile course, riders will face more than 7,000 feet of climbing, including multiple, leg-crushing runs up the notorious Moonstone climb — and the subsequent thrilling descents down Illinois Gulch.
Colorado Classic - Stage 2 from Velorama & Colorado Classic on Vimeo.
Stage 3 will be contested on an 81-mile out-and-back course that runs from the RiNo race hub in Denver to the western mountains on the Peak to Peak Highway, and then returns to the Mile High City through scenic Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Colorado Classic - Stage 3 from Velorama & Colorado Classic on Vimeo.
Stage 4 will send riders on a 7.5-mile city circuit that stretches from RiNo to City Park and back. Riders will complete 10 laps in the final stage for a total of 74.6 miles.
Colorado Classic - Stage 4 from Velorama & Colorado Classic on Vimeo.
In addition to the four-stage men’s race, a two-stage women’s race will take place in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge. Both races are UCI sanctioned and designated as a 2.HC race, which is the highest category outside of World Tour races, such as the Tour de France.
We look forward to seeing you out there!
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