Local cyclists got the ride of a lifetime yesterday and the opportunity to rub spandex with the legendary Lance Armstrong during the Aspen Cycling Club’s final mountain bike race of the year along a modified Smuggler-Hunter Creek loop.
Armstrong, who told Vanity Fair in an article posted on its Web site Tuesday that he is coming out of retirement, won the local race by 14 seconds.
“It was fun. It was hard,” said a slightly winded Armstrong after completing the 10-mile course in a best time of 57 minutes, 10 seconds.
Local Len Zanni finished second with a time of 57:24. The course led racers up Smuggler Mountain, down to the Hunter Creek Valley floor, up to Four Corners and down the Plunge to finish near the old cabins in the Hunter Creek Valley.
Riding in the Rocky Mountains is nothing new to the seven-time Tour de France champion. According to various media reports, it was the Aug. 9 Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race that prompted Armstrong, 37, out of retirement.
“I made no secret that [the Leadville race] sort of kick-started things and reminded me I’m an endurance junkie,” he said, confirming the reports. Armstrong finished second in that race, nearly two minutes behind Gunnison’s Dave Wiens, 44.
Armstrong issued a statement saying that he had decided to return to professional cycling to raise awareness of cancer. He also said he plans to compete in — and try to win — an eighth Tour de France.
Amateur endurance junkie and former Aspen Cycling Club president Charlie Eckart said Armstrong’s presence brought the best out in other riders.
“It started up fast and never let up,” he said. “All of us were red-lining all race.”
Prior to the race, the club presented Armstrong with a jersey and made him an honorary member. Armstrong graciously accepted the invitation and then led a pack of an estimated 60 riders up Smuggler Mountain.
When asked why he chose Aspen to train, Armstrong responded, “The elevation makes a difference, but it’s pretty similar to European mountain towns....It’s a great community — that’s why I train here. The people are cool and fit.”
kai@aspendailynews.com
