Prologue (August 22)
The Prologue is an individual time trial important for designating the order for the first road stage the next day. In the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the Prologue takes place in Colorado Springs, one of only three Front Range communities in the inaugural race, and home to beautiful Garden of the Gods park where the race will begin. With riders released at one minute intervals starting at 1:15 p.m., they descend out of Garden of the Gods at an incredibly fast pace, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour or more. This is a great crowd stage, because the riding will be very fast, with many dramatic turns on the downhill for viewing, and one viewing spot will allow you opportunity to see each individual rider and their personal strategy for negotiating fast turns and high speeds. This stage will also bring out the best of the best technology – teams will be breaking out their ultimate speed vehicles in their quest to wear the yellow jersey during the first road stage. The Prologue takes the cyclists 5.5 miles out of Garden of the Gods, through Old Town Colorado Springs and into downtown for the finish.
Host City: Colorado Springs
Elevation: 6,035'
Population: 405,000
Colorado Springs is known as the capital of amateur sporting events and is also home to the United States Olympic Committee. Visitors can watch world-class athletes in action at the U.S. Olympic Training Center located here. The city is also home to USA Cycling and has hosted a stage in past cycling events including the 1986 World Cycling Championships and the Coors Classic.
Colorado Springs thrives on culture, with its own symphony and performing arts center. But there’s much more to draw and hold visitors’ attention. There are more than 50 area attractions, ranging from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the American Numismatic Museum, a Mecca for coin collectors.
Spectator information
At just 5.2 miles in length, the opening prologue is the perfect opportunity to meet some of the riders, hang out in team parking, catch a few starts and then head over to Colorado Springs to catch some of the finishes, the Expo, and the award presentations.
Our Recommendation: Get there early and ride your bike, bring a backpack with food and water, it is going to be a full-day adventure
Basic Information
• First rider is off at 1:15. Riders go off in 60-second intervals. Last ten riders go off at 2-minute intervals
• Teams will arrive at 11:30am and will park at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center
• See the race timetable on the event website for course directions. Once the race begins, you will not be able to cross the course
• If you are driving, your best route will be via I-25. Northbound traffic should exit at Exit 143 and follow Uintah to the west. Look for signs for spectator parking. Southbound I-25 traffic should take exit 145 and take Filmore St. Look for signs for spectator parking.
• It will be much more difficult to get between the start and finish, if you are driving. If you need to drive, find parking outside the park and ride your bike. By bike, it is about 25 minutes from the start to the finish for you. By car, it could be an hour…if you can find parking.
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Prologue: Monday, August 22 – Colorado Springs 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 1: Salida to Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte (August 23)
With a start in Salida, Colorado’s cycling mecca and the race’s smallest start city, racers will take a circuit through downtown Salida before heading on their way on this 102 mile course to Mt. Crested Butte. On the first day of road racing, the cyclists will get to compete for their first King of the Mountain points. Positioned on Monarch Pass, the King of the Mountain honor goes to the first few cyclists to reach the top of their first mountain climb, one that reaches 11,315 feet in elevation. This first climb forces the riders to gain 3250 feet in elevation over 13 miles, and will be their first taste of the oxygen-deprived Colorado high altitude. After this challenge, the cyclists will have two sprint lines to compete for – one in Gunnison and one near the finish line in Crested Butte. At the sprint line, riders ride as fast as they can to reach the sprint line to gain points. But with a sprint line so close to the finish, competitors will have to decide which line to expend their energy racing for – because both will be impossible in a finish like this one. In this unique finish equation, the competitors in Stage 1 will close out the day on an uphill climb, from the lower area of Crested Butte to the finish line on Mt. Crested Butte – the USA Pro Cycling Challenge’s only mountain top finish.
Start
Host City: Salida
Elevation: 7,036'
Population: 5,343
Salida, meaning exit in Spanish, is actually an entrance to some of Colorado’s most beautiful high country. Bordered to the west by a dozen of the state’s 50-plus 14ers’s (mountains that reach to more than 14,000 feet at their summit) and the Arkansas River to the east, outdoor activities are the heart and soul of the area.>
Tourism, recreation and arts-related enterprises play an import role in Salida. The Arkansas River in downtown Salida plays host to the largest whitewater festival in the County, FIBark (First in Boating the Arkansas), now in its 63rd year. Salida is also known as a Mecca for the outdoor enthusiast; biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, swimming/soaking, tennis and golf are just a few of the endless plethora of outdoor recreation.
Finish
Host City: Crested Butte
Elevation: 9,375'
Population: 1,635
Authentic, open and free of crowds, Crested Butte is a quaint 1880s mining town and a Registered National Historic District. It’s also the “official wildflower capital” of Colorado. And in 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) named Crested Butte one of its “Dozen Distinctive Destinations.”
“Mt. Crested Butte is a delightful hidden gem that offers a rare mix of beauty, history and adventure,” says Richard Moe, president of the NTHP. “Filled with endless recreational opportunities no matter the time of year, this authentic mountain town is arguably one of the most charming vacation destinations in the Rockies.” The town also embraces the arts in many ways year-round. In the center of this celebration are the Crested Butte Center for the Arts and the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre.
Winding three miles up Gothic Road north of Crested Butte is the Town of Mt. Crested Butte. Established in 1974 and at an elevation of 9,380 feet, it is the mountain town village of the north end of the East River Valley.
Spectator information
At 100 miles in length, Stage 1 provides several good places to catch the action, but plan carefully. With limited roads between the start and finish, you need to decide your plan of attack. For example, you can see the start in Salida and catch the finish at Mt Crested Butte, but you can’t get to the KOM on Monarch Pass. With rider sign-ins, access to team parking, and smaller crowds, race starts are the favorite spot for many spectators. KOMs are an obvious favorite. Stage finishes have the excitement of big crowds, Expo, the mad sprints to the finish, and you can watch the race on the big screens as the riders are about two hours out.
Basic Information:
• Race begins at 11:45 in Salida
• Teams will arrive at 10:00am and rider sign-in begins at 10:45am
• Riders will reach the KOM on Monarch Pass around 12:45pm
• There are five key places to watch Stage 1
• Salida – race start
• Monarch Pass (KOM) – There is parking at the Monarch Mtn Ski area
• Gunnison (Sprint)
• Crested Butte (Sprint)
• Mt Crested Butte – race finish
Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Salida and reach Crested Butte or Mt Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass for the sprint or finish
• Leave Salida at least 30 minutes before the start and get to the KOM at Monarch Pass (be advised that parking will be very limited near the KOM and you may be forced to park and walk a mile or more to the KOM)
• Leave Salida at least 30 minutes before the start and push onto Gunnison for the Sprint
• Here is what you can’t do (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both):
• Watch the start in Salida and make it to the KOM or Gunnison
• Watch the KOM and make it to Gunnison or the finish
• Watch the Sprint in Gunnison and make it to the finish
• Race recommendation: Watch the start in Salida and drive to Mt Crested Butte for the finish
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 1: Tuesday, August 23 – Salida to Crested Butte 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 2: Gunnison to Aspen (August 24)
The Queen Stage is the crown jewel of the seven stages. The journey from Gunnison to Aspen will be the hardest, longest and highest of the race, summiting two 12,000-foot peaks in one day. This promises to be the toughest stage in America, and the toughest day of racing of the entire year. You won’t want to miss it! First riders will leave the authentic Western town of Gunnison and travel through Gunnison National Forest. Then they will ascend 2740 feet over 13.7 miles to reach the first King of the Mountain line of the day on top of 12,126-foot-high Cottonwood Pass, the highest point during this seven-day race. In a unique twist, the ascent up Cottonwood Pass is on a dirt road, an extra challenge for these racers’ thin road tires. After a tough climb and a fast descent comes another beautiful but grueling climb up Independence Pass. The road is narrow and steep with a 6.5% gradient and numerous switchbacks. This second King of the Mountain line will certainly separate the true competitors from the peloton. At 12,095 feet, the oxygen level is only 60 percent that of what athletes inhale at sea level. After 131 miles, this take-no-prisoners stage ends in downtown Aspen in the shadow of the Maroon Bells, Colorado’s most photographed mountain peaks.
Start
Host City: Gunnison
Elevation: 7,703'
Population: 5,406
Gunnison is rather like a home on the range surrounded by expansive ranchland, sage-covered high mountain mesas, rugged mountains, a national recreation area, a national park, and lakes and rivers. It’s right out of a John Wayne Western movie. The city, which feels like a cattleman’s town, is the kind of place where you don’t feel like a tourist as much as somebody visiting the folks.
It’s a great base camp for exploring a treasure trove of natural and man-made attractions. West of Gunnison, the valley drops away into the Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In the summer, the reservoir — Colorado’s largest body of water — is full of canoes, sailboats, pontoon and motor boats, and people water-skiing, fishing, windsurfing and swimming in the refreshing water. Summer celebrations honor the area’s Western roots, and the dominant entree on dinner menus is beef. Stop in, say howdy and settle in for a few days. There’s so much to see and do!
Finish
Host City: Aspen
Elevation: 7,908'
Population: 6,671
Aspen’s name alone conjures images of majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding, outdoor adventure, healthy living, divine dining, stirring nightlife and exceptional shopping. To the world, Aspen means, “The Good Life.” But perhaps even more relevant, Aspen has soul.
A former silver mining town, Aspen was rediscovered by Tenth Mountain Division troops during World World II, who were enchanted by the mountain and the charming mountain town. For more than 60 years, skiing has been at the heart of life in Aspen. But when the snow melts and the leaves return, a different Aspen emerges, beckoning outdoor adventurists, artists, musicians and writers to an idyllic mountain town with roots as deep as the mountains are high. In 1947, at the same time skiing on Aspen Mountain began, The Aspen Institute was founded and helped define the year-round allure of Aspen as a cultural and intellectual haven. Aspen in summer and fall brings an arts and cultural calendar rivaling those of big cities.
Spectator information
At 135 miles in length, and two monster climbs over 12,000’ in elevation, Stage 2 is the day race fans in Colorado have been waiting for. With limited roads between the start and finish, you need to decide your plan of attack. For example, you can see the start in Gunnison and catch the finish in Aspen or make it to the KOM at Independence pass, but you can’t get to both KOMs. With rider sign-ins, access to team parking, and smaller crowds, race starts are the favorite spot for many spectators. KOMs are an obvious favorite. Stage finishes have the excitement of big crowds, Expo, the mad sprints to the finish, and you can watch the race on the big screens as the riders are about two hours out. Aspen will also be featuring a women’s pro bike race before the finish of Stage 2.
Basic Information
• Race begins at 10:00am in Gunnison
• Teams will arrive at 8:30am and rider sign-in begins at 9:00am
• There are six key places to watch Stage 2
• Gunnison – race start
• Almont (sprint) and Buena Vista (Sprint)
• Cottonwood Pass (KOM) and Independence Pass (KOM)
• Aspen – race finish
• Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Gunnison and reach Buena Vista, Independence pass, or Aspen via Monarch Pass
• Ride your bike up Cottonwood or Independence Pass.
• Here is what you can’t do (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both):
• Drive to Cottonwood Pass on race day. Cottonwood Pass will close to vehicles at 3:00 pm on August 23rd. Gunnison County will be preparing the dirt section of the pass for the race after this time. Parking will not be allowed on the dirt sections to allow crews to work
• Easily drive to Independence Pass – it will be closed to vehicles starting at noon in both directions
• Watch the start in Gunnison and make it to the Cottonwood KOM via Buena Vista
• Watch the race from either Cottonwood or Independence Pass and make it to Aspen
• Watch the Sprints in Almont or Buena Vista and make it to the finish or Independence Pass KOM
• Get to Aspen via Pearl Pass in Crested Butte. Pearl Pass is a very rugged dirt road and portions are flooded and not drivable.
• Parking at either of the KOMs is going to be very difficult. Please allow ample time to find parking
• Race recommendation: Watch the start in Gunnison or finish in Aspen or ride your bike to one of the KOMs
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 2: Wednesday, August 24 – Gunnison-Aspen 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 3: Vail TT (August 25)
Starting in the heart of Vail Village, this individual time trial offers a completely different challenge from the Prologue – this one goes uphill. With prime viewing spots at the start line in this quintessential alpine village and on the last three miles of the climb up Vail Pass, this 10 mile course offers excitement and beauty the whole way.
Host City: Vail
Elevation: 8,150'
Population: 4,617
http://www.vailgov.com/
Vail, Colorado is like nothing on earth. World-famous skiing and a vibrant community have put Vail on the map for many travelers. Located in the heart of the Vail Valley, in the Colorado Rockies, it’s a town created by and for skiing, but has developed into one of the top year-round resort destinations.
For summer adventures, few places can match Vail. You’ll have an unforgettable trip with Vail signature events, adventures, attractions, and the best accommodations surrounded by breathtaking views in the Rocky Mountains. Whether you hike or bike, raft or kayak, golf or shop, go to kids camp or the spa, Vail will fill your passions. And then there’s open air ballet, the symphony, renowned chefs and fine wines, and events. Vail even enjoys a history steeped in the international cycling community, hosting both road and mountain bike competitions at the highest levels including the Red Zinger/Coors Classic events for 10 years, the 1992 UCI World Cup Finals in mountain biking and the 1994 and 2001 World Mountain Bike Championships.
Basic Information
• First rider starts at 1:00pm in Vail and continue at 60-second intervals. Final 10 riders will begin at 2-minute intervals. Course record is 26:33 set by Andy Hampsten in 1987
• Teams will arrive at 11:30am. There are no sign-ins at the Time Trial
• The East Vail exit on I-70 will be closed on race day. Please use the Vail or West Vail exits to reach the race start.
• There are several key places to watch Stage 3
• Vail Village – race start
• Anywhere along the course
• Vail Pass – race finish
• Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Vail Village and take the shuttle to the base of the finishing climb
• Watch the starts, catch a bite to eat, and then watch the award presentations
• Before the race starts, you can ride the course on your bike and make it up to the race finish
• There is parking on Vail Pass. Ride your bike 5K to the finish.
• Here is what you can’t do (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both):
• Ride your bike on any portion of the route once the race begins
• Drive your car on any portion of the route
• After the race finishes, you will not be able to make it back to Vail for the award presentation (it may be possible by bicycle)
• Parking at Vail is going to be very difficult. Please allow ample time to find parking
• Race recommendation: Watch the start or finish or take a shuttle to the climb
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 3: Thursday, August 25 – Vail 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 4: Avon to Steamboat Springs (August 26)
After a punishing Queen Stage and an uphill time trial, these cyclists will be longing for an easier day. But the rolling terrain of Stage 4, with a net elevation change of 5000 feet from start to finish, will provide spectators with one of the more interesting and dramatic days of racing. Without significant climbs or high-speed descents, cyclists have numerous opportunities for breakaways, fighting for every mile of pavement and risking everything for King of the Mountain and sprint line points. The day starts in Avon, passes through Wolcott and Oak Creek, following 86 miles of scenery to the finish line in downtown Steamboat Springs, aptly nicknamed Bike Town USA.
Start
Host City: Avon
Elevation: 7,430'
Population: 6,720
Nestled in the Eagle River Valley, at the base of Beaver Creek Resort and eight miles west of Vail, Avon is known as the Heart of the Valley and a great base for launching mountain adventures in skiing, hiking, biking, paddling and more. With 6,700 year-round residents, plus another 3,500 part-time residents, Avon offers a multitude of recreational opportunities, special events, parks, open space and trails along with a mix of local and national shops and restaurants.
In the summer, the 48-acre Harry A. Nottingham Park offers fun for the whole family. Rent a paddle boat, fish in the lake, walk around the park or just relax on the grass and bask in the sunshine. The town loves to celebrate the holidays with events such as Salute to the USA, the largest fireworks display in the Colorado Rockies; Dunk-n-Dash, a duathlon race series; national and international events such as IronKids and Dock Dogs.
Finish
Host City: Steamboat Springs
Elevation: 6,695'
Population: 12,180
At an elevation of 6,695 feet, Steamboat Springs's numerous mineral springs and abundant wild game made this a summer retreat for Utes centuries before the arrival of white settlers. The bubbling mineral springs also caused many a mid-19th-century trapper to swear he heard the chugging sound of "a steamboat comin' round the bend" - hence the name. Ranching and farming were the economic mainstays until tourism arrived, and agriculture remains of key importance today.
This area is perhaps best known as the birthplace of organized skiing in Colorado. Although miners, ranchers, and mail carriers used primitive skis for transportation as early as the 1880s, it wasn't until Norwegian ski-jumping and cross-country champion Carl Howelsen built Howelsen Hill ski jump here in 1914 that skiing began to be considered a recreational sport in Colorado. In 1963, Storm Mountain was developed for skiing, and Steamboat's future as a modern ski resort was ensured. The mountain was renamed Mount Werner after the 1964 avalanche death in Europe of Olympic skier Buddy Werner, a Steamboat Springs native.
http://www.steamboatprocycling.com/
Spectator information
After three days of doing a lot of vertical, the sprinters will have their first day to shine. The climbing is pretty limited on Stage 4. In fact, there are no KOMs. Even though the average speed should be the highest of any day of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, you will have just enough time to see the race start and make it to the finish in Steamboat Springs.
Basic Information
• The race starts at 12:30pm in Avon and finishes in Steamboat Springs at 4:00pm
• Teams will arrive at 11:00am. Rider sign--in begins at 11:30am
• There are three key places to watch Stage 4
• Avon – race start
• Oak Creek – (Sprint)
• Steamboat Springs – race finish
Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Avon and take Stage 5 in reverse (take I--70 to Silverthorne and then take Hwy 9 to Hwy 40 to Steamboat. The trip should take 2.5 hours. The race will take 3.5hours to make it to Steamboat. Check for road construction on Hwy 9 with CDOT.
• Leave well before the race start and make it to any point on the course
Here is what you can’t do: (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both)
• There is only one alternate route to Steamboat Springs. With possible road construction on Hwy 9, you will have very little time to stop for gas or food and make it to Steamboat Springs in time to find parking and see the finish.
• Get to the finish from the KOM
• Race recommendation: Leave the start before the race leaves and make it to Steamboat Springs just in time to see the race finish. Spend the night and see the start of Stage 5.
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 4: Friday, August 26 - Avon to Steamboat Springs 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 5: Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge (August 27)
The celebration in Steamboat moves to Werner Mountain, where the cyclists will take off under the watchful eye of Steamboat’s primary ski hill. This will be another opportunistic stage with ample opportunities for breakaways and aggressive racing, but this time with a true mountain pass. The double-summit Rabbit Ears Pass will host a King of the Mountain line and ample viewing opportunities. A sprint line in Kremmling will then lead to more breakaways alongside the scenic Green Mountain Reservoir and fights for the finish line in Breckenridge, ending 109 miles of racing in what may prove to be the fastest road race finish during the seven day tour. After winding through Dillon, Keystone and Gold Hill, the cyclists will enter Breckenridge and ride to the finish line downtown.
Start
Host City: Steamboat Springs
Elevation: 6,695'
Population: 12,180
At an elevation of 6,695 feet, Steamboat Springs's numerous mineral springs and abundant wild game made this a summer retreat for Utes centuries before the arrival of white settlers. The bubbling mineral springs also caused many a mid-19th-century trapper to swear he heard the chugging sound of "a steamboat comin' round the bend" - hence the name. Ranching and farming were the economic mainstays until tourism arrived, and agriculture remains of key importance today.
This area is perhaps best known as the birthplace of organized skiing in Colorado. Although miners, ranchers, and mail carriers used primitive skis for transportation as early as the 1880s, it wasn't until Norwegian ski-jumping and cross-country champion Carl Howelsen built Howelsen Hill ski jump here in 1914 that skiing began to be considered a recreational sport in Colorado. In 1963, Storm Mountain was developed for skiing, and Steamboat's future as a modern ski resort was ensured. The mountain was renamed Mount Werner after the 1964 avalanche death in Europe of Olympic skier Buddy Werner, a Steamboat Springs native.
http://www.steamboatprocycling.com/
Finish
Host City: Breckenridge
Elevation: 9,603'
Population: 3,535
Breckenridge’s quaint Main Street could be a painting of the mountain resort of your dreams. The oldest and largest town in Colorado’s famous Summit County started out, like many, as a mining town, and locals aren’t about to forget it — the 250-plus buildings on the National Historic Register attest to that.
Four mountain peaks make up the Breckenridge Ski Resort, providing 2,358 acres of amazing skiing and enough variety to suit even the most seasoned skier. During the summer, you can ride the ski lift to hiking and mountain biking trails with unparalleled views. Adventurers seeking to sharpen their skills will find a challenging but relaxed golf course and miles of single track for mountain biking. Summit County also boasts a paved recreation trail system, connecting Breckenridge with other nearby towns and used by bikers, runners and walkers alike. Whether you go for the masses of wildflowers in summer or the snow sports of winter, be sure to walk down quaint Main Street, do some shopping, stop to admire the views of the Tenmile Range from one of the many restaurant decks with a view and explore the well-preserved architecture of Historic Breckenridge.
Spectator information
Another climbing stage (with two KOMs) but don’t be surprised to see a large field sprint coming to the finish in Breckenridge. This is a stage that favors an all-around rider like a Cadel Evans or a Thor Hushvold. With just one KOM left after today’s stage, you can expect some keen climbing on the two KOMs. If the yellow jersey is still in doubt, today’s stage could well establish a new leader coming into Denver. At an overall 105 miles, the teams will leave nothing on the road to get their GC contender into yellow.
• The race starts at 11:20pm in Steamboat Springs and finishes in Breckenridge at 3:45pm
• Teams will arrive at 9:45am. Rider sign-in begins at 10:20am
• There are five key places to watch Stage 5
• Steamboat Springs – race start
• Kremmling – (Sprint)
• Rabbit Ears Pass and Swan Mountain – (KOMs)
• Breckenridge – race finish
Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Steamboat Springs and take Stage 4 in reverse back to I-70 and then into the finish in Breckenridge or the final KOM on Swan Mountain.
• From the Swan Mountain KOM, you should be able to make the award ceremonies
• If you leave 45 minutes before the race start, you will be able to make either of the KOMs or the sprint
Here is what you can’t do: (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both)
• If you are at the Rabbit Ears Pass KOM, you will not be able to make it to Swan Mountain or to the finish.
• If you are at the sprint in Kremmling, you will not be able to make it to Swan
Mountain or to the finish.
Race recommendation: Leave the start just before as the race leaves and make it to the Swan Mountain KOM for some great pictures or push on to the finish in Breckenridge
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 5: Saturday, August 27 – Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge 4 p.m. VERSUS
Stage 6: Golden to Denver (August 28)
The final stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge takes us along another highly anticipated route – the climb up and the descent down the treacherous Lookout Mountain, where the overall King of the Mountain winner will be decided. Racers will start under Golden’s famous “Howdy Folks” welcome arch, take a northern loop out of town, ride past the start line a second time, and then make the challenging ride up Lookout Mountain. At an average 6.1 percent grade and 1300 feet of elevation gain over 4.8 miles, this section provides an intense challenge on the tour’s final day. After a treacherous descent down the winding roads of Lookout Mountain, the cyclists are back again for a third time past the start line in Golden.
With three opportunities to see the cyclists test their strength and strategy, the Golden start line will be one of the most coveted viewing spots of the entire race. The racers then speed toward Denver, where they take six laps of a five mile circuit along Speer Boulevard before heading past the original Quiznos store at 13thand Grant to reach the finish line on Broadway next to the State Capitol Building. An exciting five-mile circuit, the monumental finish line, and the most-watched day of the race will leave nothing to be desired as the first winner of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is crowned in the Mile High City on August 28.
Start
Host City: Golden
Elevation: 5,675'
Population: 18,026
The City of Golden is situated near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon just fifteen miles west of Denver. Established in the mid-nineteenth century as a supply stop for gold miners, Golden has grown into a progressive, unique city full of economic diversity and opportunity. With 20 miles of trails and 377 acres of open space, Golden is known for its outdoor recreation and is a destination spot for those in Colorado and throughout the world.
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, don’t miss Clear Creek Kayak Park where kayakers play in the water and put on a show for those walking along the paths. You can also head to nearby Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Take a look around and remind yourself what this part of Colorado looked like before settlers and miners made their mark.
Finish
Host City: Denver
Elevation: 5,280'
Population: 600,158
Sitting at 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level and framed by the Rocky Mountains, the Mile High City is a study in contrasts. Late summer is the perfect time to visit The Mile High City, with temperatures in the mid-80s and clear blue skies. During the day, check out must-see museum exhibits, or explore the city’s 850 miles of off-road, paved bike trails. The Mile High City’s fresh night air encourages all kinds of after-hours summer activity, from outdoor cinema and music to rooftop patio dining.
If you come to Denver looking for outdoor recreation, you won’t be disappointed. Denver offers more than 850 miles of paved off-road trails that connect to hundreds of miles of dirt trails and mountain-bike adventures. The nearby Rocky Mountains boast hiking excursions, ski slopes and wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the top outdoor destinations in the world, is just a 90-minute drive from downtown. Denver also has one of the largest bike sharing programs in the nation with B-Cycle offering 500 bikes at nearly 50 stations throughout the city.
Spectator Information
While it is a customary not to attack the yellow jersey on the final day of a stage race, that tradition will “get no respect” on the final day of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge! In all likelihood, there will be several riders within a few seconds of the yellow jersey. There will be attacks throughout the day. Regardless of what happens out on the road, the second best thing to donning the yellow jersey for the final time in Denver, is winning the final stage in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans. This is going to be a very energized day of all--out racing!
•The race starts at 10:45am in Golden and finishes in Denver at 1:30pm
•Teams will arrive at 9:00am. Rider sign--in begins at 9:45am
•There are three key places to watch Stage 6
•Golden – the race comes through the start area twice after the start
•Lookout Mountain – (KOM)
•Denver – overall race finish
Here is what you can do:
• Watch the start in Golden and leave immediately for the finish in Denver. Parking will be tight so leave enough time to park and make it to Denver’s Civic Center Park to catch the finishing circuits. It will take the riders less than two hours to make it to the finish line to begin their six circuits.
• You will be able to hike or bike to Lookout Mountain on race day.
Here is what you can’t do: (based on time or lack of alternate routes or both)
•If you are at the start in Golden, you cannot make it to the Lookout Mountain KOM.
•If you are at the Lookout Mountain KOM, you will not be able to make it to Denver in
time to catch the finish. The race will reach Denver before you can.
•Drive up the Lookout KOM – traffic will be restricted to local residents. Feel free to
park and ride your bike up.
Race recommendation: Leave the start as soon as the race leaves and make it to the Denver finish at the Civic Center Park. You need to make it to the park before the start of the final circuits at 12:30pm. Expect to have traffic delays getting near the park. Great idea to have bikes with you today. Park at some distance from the finish and ride the rest of the way.
T.V. Schedule:
VERSUS and NBC’s live schedule for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge follows (all times ET, subject to change):
Stage 6: Sunday, August 28 – Golden to Denver 2 p.m. NBC