A proposed new bike race aims to answer a question of great local importance: Which is the tougher bike town — Aspen or Vail?
The Aspen-Vail Challenge is a new bike race awaiting approval from the city of Aspen that would pit about 250 road bikers in a race from Aspen to Vail and back over two days. The event is being planned for June 28-29.
The route would begin in downtown Aspen in front of the Wienerstube, head up Independence Pass, travel through Leadville and Copper Mountain before breaking for the evening in Vail. The next morning, riders would head out toward Minturn, over Tennessee Pass and back through Leadville, with the race officially ending at the summit of Independence Pass. The event would conclude with a leisurely ride down the pass back into Aspen, ending in front of the Wienerstube.
Event organizers are anticipating “moderate impacts” to the town. They are requesting traffic control to smooth the riders’ arrival and departure to and from downtown Aspen, but no street closures. A tent and a megaphone will be needed to facilitate the race from the Wienerstube. Riders will leave in smaller packs to stagger the bike traffic.
To be approved from Aspen’s end, 14 departments within the city — including the special events committee, the streets department, parks department and the police — must sign off. According to the city’s Web site, only two departments — the Wheeler Opera House and Community Relations — have so far reviewed the event, with both granting approval.
Organizers are expecting between 25 and 30 of the participants to be disabled riders.
The cost of the event is $75 per rider if registered before May 31, going up to $100 after that. Registration will be limited to 250 riders. All proceeds will benefit Challenge Aspen, an organization dedicated to facilitating athletic achievement for people with disabilities, and Tom’s Door, a faith-based group serving the needy in the Roaring Fork Valley.
curtis@aspendailynews.com
