Mountain - Plains - USA Pro Cycling Challenge - Colorado

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"On August 22nd - 28th on Versus and NBC, witness the world's top professional cyclists battle steep grades, hairpin turns and terrifying descents in a seven-day, 600-mile-long journey over the highest altitude course ever created: the USA Pro Cycling Challenge."

Monday August 22 - Prologue - Garden of the Gods to downtown Colorado Springs
Prologue Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/prologue)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Prologue%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Tuesday August 23 - Stage 1 - Salida to Crested Butte
Stage 1 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-1)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%201%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Wednesday August 24 - Stage 2 - Gunnison to Aspen
Stage 2 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-2)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%202%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Thursday August 25 - Stage 3 - Vail Time Trial
Stage 3 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-3)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%203%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Friday August 26 - Stage 4 - Avon to Steamboat Springs
Stage 4 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-4)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%204%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Saturday August 27 - Stage 5 - Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
Stage 5 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-5)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%205%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Sunday August 28 - Stage 6 - Golden to Denver
Stage 6 Overview (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/stages/stage-6)
Spectator Guide (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/sites/default/files/downloads/page/USAPCC%20-%20Stage%206%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf)

Attending TEAMS (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/teams)

CDOT / CSP Guidelines for Highway Parking and Camping! (http://www.coloradodot.info/news/2011news/08-2011/CDOTParking-Camping-Info-Additions.html)

Preview Video:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/44207351#44207351

USA PCC on The Shack Tour Tracker (http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/shack-tourtracker) ...and HERE (http://shacktracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/)

USA PCC on TWITTER (http://twitter.com/#!/USAProChallenge)

USA PCC on FACEBOOK (http://www.facebook.com/USAProCyclingChallenge)

USA PCC on VELO NEWS (http://velonews.competitor.com/category/usa-pro-cycling-challenge)

Cycling on NBC/VERSUS (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42363489/ns/sports-cycling/) .com

I live in the Vail Valley and will be camping along one or two of the somewhat local race routes and riding up another in advance of the race start.

Who else is turning out for the biggest spectator event in Colorado's history?

Crap! I want to watch this so bad but I don't have cable! Grrr! This is an instance where I might even deign to pay for a limited subscription to watch online. Alas, it might mean waiting until the final stage is broadcast on NBC to see some sort of incredibly abbreviated wrap up before the final stage coverage, if I'm lucky. GRRR!!!! :mad:

Have chalk and cowbells already packed and ready to go!

I will be camping out below Independence Pass on Tues night (hoping bears aren't around!). Weds night I'll stay in Eagle and on Thurs hanging out in Vail for the TT. Driving to Steamboat on Thurs afternoon. Have camping reservations in SS for Thurs night, and Fri night but might camp on Rabbit Ears Pass on Fri night. So yeah I'll be there.

Well done M2G. Super big frowny face for me though. I'll be in NorCal wishing I was home watching the race live.... booo-hoooooooooo

I'm catching the Start of stage one in Salida. Then leaving immediately for Independence pass and camping on the roadside as far up as I can. Denver for the finish.
I wish I could see more, but my schedule is too busy. Maybe next year.

I added a few sites that should help those out not having sat/cable access.

W@7, I'm kinda in the same boat. I've already taken a lot of time off for cycling events and racing in August and while I certainly could have checked out for the entire week, I figured I'd just wait until next year to follow the whole thing. I'll see the race from somewhere along the course Thursday, Friday, Saturday and perhaps Sunday. I was atop Independence a few days ago and it would be cool to watch from the very top; looking down on the climbers as they grind their way up, then run down to the side of the road as they pass. Good luck snagging a good spot to camp.

I'm watching live coverage of the Prologue now online.

http://shacktracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

http://shacktracker.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

Ummm, that link is part of the original post.

I recorded the Versus coverage. I'm going to watch it first since that's what I'm used to for coverage of pro racing. Then I'll see if I can watch Shack Tracker in recorded form and see which I like best. I can't really watch live at the non-profit office I hold. Can't wait to see tomorrow's stage. I hope the turnout is insane.

Ummm, that link is part of the original post.


OK - reinforcement is a great tool of learning.

My wife and I would like to park away from the crowds Sunday, then pedal to the civic center park for the conclusion of the race. We are not too familiar with downtown Denver or the bike paths so we thought this would be a fun chance to explore. Could anyone suggest a convenient place to park and access the bike path system (< 15 miles from civic center)? We'll be heading down US36.

Thanks!

My wife and I would like to park away from the crowds Sunday, then pedal to the civic center park for the conclusion of the race. We are not too familiar with downtown Denver or the bike paths so we thought this would be a fun chance to explore. Could anyone suggest a convenient place to park and access the bike path system (< 15 miles from civic center)? We'll be heading down US36.

Thanks!


If you park down at Cherry Creek Lake and ride the Cherry Creek bike path up that will give you about 14-15 miles. It's been a few years since I did that route so others living or biking the area will have more intel for you.

My wife and I would like to park away from the crowds Sunday, then pedal to the civic center park for the conclusion of the race. We are not too familiar with downtown Denver or the bike paths so we thought this would be a fun chance to explore. Could anyone suggest a convenient place to park and access the bike path system (< 15 miles from civic center)? We'll be heading down US36.

Thanks!
Quite a few options.

A few I can think of:

Alternative one: A 4.7 mile ride from the north: Park at Globeville Landing Park (http://g.co/maps/6wd4). There's a parking lot across the street from the factory thing. Ride the South Platte trail to the Cherry Creek trail and meander over to civic center. Something like these directions would work: http://g.co/maps/k3dn

Alternative two: A 9.7 mile ride from the north: Park at the E 74th Ave trailhead (http://g.co/maps/a22r). This is like the previous one, but starts out further north. Something like these directions will work: http://g.co/maps/caes

The previous two routes put you through some industrial areas. They can stink, literally. Here's one I've done before from the south:

Alternative three: A 4.8 mile ride from the south: Park at Creekside Park (http://g.co/maps/ruwx). Ride the cherry creek trail up and meander over to the civic center. Something like these directions: http://g.co/maps/pfqz

Really, there's like a ton more options. You could probably find places to park along the clear creek trail, sand creek, other places along the platte or the cherry creek trails. Those are just a few I could come up with right now.

Quite a few options.

A few I can think of:

Alternative one: A 4.7 mile ride from the north: Park at Globeville Landing Park (http://g.co/maps/6wd4). There's a parking lot across the street from the factory thing. Ride the South Platte trail to the Cherry Creek trail and meander over to civic center. Something like these directions would work: http://g.co/maps/k3dn

Alternative two: A 9.7 mile ride from the north: Park at the E 74th Ave trailhead (http://g.co/maps/a22r). This is like the previous one, but starts out further north. Something like these directions will work: http://g.co/maps/caes

The previous two routes put you through some industrial areas. They can stink, literally. Here's one I've done before from the south:

Alternative three: A 4.8 mile ride from the south: Park at Creekside Park (http://g.co/maps/ruwx). Ride the cherry creek trail up and meander over to the civic center. Something like these directions: http://g.co/maps/pfqz

Really, there's like a ton more options. You could probably find places to park along the clear creek trail, sand creek, other places along the platte or the cherry creek trails. Those are just a few I could come up with right now.


Thanks to you and Miles2go for the suggestions. I drive 270 past Commerce City every day so I know the stink! Can't imagine cycling around the refinery.

Try the sewage treatment plant that the platte is right next to.

The finish to stage one was a good one... to say the least.

My wife suggested that we bike to downtown that day, but I told her that we will have too many souvenirs :) to bike back.

My friend and I ended up with a spot at the last hairpin before the summit of Independence Pass. Fun time.
Here is the view from when I woke up thismorning. I'm in the green and white VW bus.215916

Very cool Westy@7. It was an awesome stage, well except for the lousy video on Versus. The crowd looked as insane as they often are on many mountain stages in the TDF. I'm getting ready to depart for Vail Pass, and should be placing my chair along the course by 8 am. I'll have a few photos at the end of the day. It's good to see Levi down in the standings coming into this TT because he's really going to on fire today. Cadel too.

The crowd in Vail seemed pumped

Very cool Westy@7. It was an awesome stage, well except for the lousy video on Versus. The crowd looked as insane as they often are on many mountain stages in the TDF. I'm getting ready to depart for Vail Pass, and should be placing my chair along the course by 8 am. I'll have a few photos at the end of the day. It's good to see Levi down in the standings coming into this TT because he's really going to on fire today. Cadel too.

We camped on the next switchback down! Andy Schleck rode by me 3 ft away!

Just got home from Steamboat Springs. More later!

The party's already begun on Lookout.

From http://jeffco.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R309.htm
"NOTICE: Due to early heavy traffic, Lariat Loop Road will be closing at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, August 27, rather than 5:00 a.m., Sunday, August 28. Only foot traffic, bicyclists, and local residents in vehicles with identification will be allowed in."


I'll be pedaling that direction in about 11hrs. :)

The finish line in Breckenridge was insane. Still trying to recover my hearing. :)

http://www.pbase.com/image/137580845.jpg

I've been getting some pretty good shots (hope so since shooting is part of my day job) and even have a nice Robobank bottle donated by a stage winner in both the Giro and TDF. ...and thanks for shutting the spout before pitching it to me Pieter!

I'm heading down to the course tomorrow, the question is where.

Can't get enough of the live scene! :bike2:

http://www.pbase.com/image/137626506.jpg

We drove down and watched the stage in two places. Perfect timing and excellent luck in picking the right place to park, both times. Shortly after the Lookout Mountain descent, we saw Frank away with a one of the Colombian team members, being chased by one rider from HTC, one from Rabobank and Levi. That would have made for interesting coverage. It seems that Versus was rushed in covering the final day, almost like it was another production team handling it, in some ways.

Got over to the city and walked right up to a good spot that amazingly hadn't been taken yet and caught the 6 laps.

Another great day of pro peloton action in Colorado.

Shown: Levi, Danny and Frank.

http://www.pbase.com/image/137580845.jpg

I've been getting some pretty good shots (hope so since shooting is part of my day job) and even have a nice Robobank bottle donated by a stage winner in both the Giro and TDF. ...and thanks for shutting the spout before pitching it to me Pieter!

.
:
great shots, I have probably a hundred or so B/ W shots from the original red zinger races back in the 60s or 70s in the pile in the dark room...
Bud

while not as good as miles2go
these are the best pix of usa pro cycle tour I have found
I am posting link to breck stage u can go back and forward to see other stages http://www.steephill.tv/2011/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/photos/stage-05/ (http://www.steephill.tv/2011/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/photos/stage-05/)

i think there are more scenic shots here than all of versus coverage