Ride report - Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
05-26-12, 10:39 PM
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Ride report - Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
I rode the Iron Horse Classic "Citizens' Tour" today with my son.
The point of this ride is to try and beat the narrow gauge steam train to Silverton. To do this, you have to average just under 18mph for 50 miles, climbing two mountain passes each of which are over 10,000 feet in elevation.
The train signals the 8:45 start when it blows it's whistle in Durango:
We had a great tailwind pushing across the valley floor then the road starts to climb. Here is where I was really put to the test having never ridden at these altitudes before. My strategy was to keep my son in contact and he set a hard pace.
We reached the top of Coal Bank Pass and took a short break
Dropping down off Coal Bank Pass our tail wind started to work against us. Sudden side wind gusts would hit you with no warning. This can be quite disconcerting while traveling over 40 mph. Sorry no pictures here - hands are on the handlebars!
We reach the bottom of a valley and immediately are on the last climb of the day: Molas Pass. This one starts off rather steep and the powerful gusts are now headwinds.
A little over 4 miles later and we are on the top of Molas Pass! It's all downhill from here and we have made great time.
More windgusts on the descent to Silverton. We have to stop about 1/2 way down because motorcycle rider supporting the event has crashed - he has to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. I hope he's ok.
While we are waiting we could hear the steam train echoing in the valley. We start to doubt we will beat the train now. When the course is re-opened we are instructed to descend the rest of the way in single file at a more cautious rate of speed. There are volunteers along the route now trying to keep us in line..
Soon we see Silverton below. An amazing sight with mountains towering around it. The ride ends in a corridor of spectators on main street in town.
We have beat the train by finishing at noon. We are handed medals to show how awesome we are:
We walk back thru town to get picked up by our wives. Along the way, we stop to scoff at our nemesis.
I had wanted to do this ride for quite some time now and it was made special by sharing with my son whom is now married and living in Colorado. I had been missing him alot lately and this was a wonderful way for us to catch up.
The point of this ride is to try and beat the narrow gauge steam train to Silverton. To do this, you have to average just under 18mph for 50 miles, climbing two mountain passes each of which are over 10,000 feet in elevation.
The train signals the 8:45 start when it blows it's whistle in Durango:
We had a great tailwind pushing across the valley floor then the road starts to climb. Here is where I was really put to the test having never ridden at these altitudes before. My strategy was to keep my son in contact and he set a hard pace.
We reached the top of Coal Bank Pass and took a short break
Dropping down off Coal Bank Pass our tail wind started to work against us. Sudden side wind gusts would hit you with no warning. This can be quite disconcerting while traveling over 40 mph. Sorry no pictures here - hands are on the handlebars!
We reach the bottom of a valley and immediately are on the last climb of the day: Molas Pass. This one starts off rather steep and the powerful gusts are now headwinds.
A little over 4 miles later and we are on the top of Molas Pass! It's all downhill from here and we have made great time.
More windgusts on the descent to Silverton. We have to stop about 1/2 way down because motorcycle rider supporting the event has crashed - he has to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. I hope he's ok.
While we are waiting we could hear the steam train echoing in the valley. We start to doubt we will beat the train now. When the course is re-opened we are instructed to descend the rest of the way in single file at a more cautious rate of speed. There are volunteers along the route now trying to keep us in line..
Soon we see Silverton below. An amazing sight with mountains towering around it. The ride ends in a corridor of spectators on main street in town.
We have beat the train by finishing at noon. We are handed medals to show how awesome we are:
We walk back thru town to get picked up by our wives. Along the way, we stop to scoff at our nemesis.
I had wanted to do this ride for quite some time now and it was made special by sharing with my son whom is now married and living in Colorado. I had been missing him alot lately and this was a wonderful way for us to catch up.
Last edited by northbend; 05-26-12 at 10:44 PM.
05-26-12, 10:46 PM
#2
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Fantastic thread! Thanks so much for sharing. Here's hoping the motorcyclist is alright.
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05-27-12, 05:10 AM
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What a great story...love the ride description, except the crash. You beat the beast!
05-27-12, 08:47 AM
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Wonderful storey, and pics! Very cool you got to ride with your son 
Thanks for sharing.Cheers,Chris
Thanks for sharing.Cheers,Chris
05-27-12, 09:24 AM
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Seond on the kudos; great ride report, nice pics, good story. Thanks for posting.
05-27-12, 03:13 PM
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Steel80's
awesome ride! You've got great lungs & legs. I was there a couple of years ago, was a passenger on that iron horse. The scenery is spectacular, the roads are great, but the climbs are pretty imposing. I did some MTB in Crested Butte, even after a few days in NM and Durango the altitude was tough.
05-27-12, 04:29 PM
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FABULOUS and CONGRATS!!!!!
Aside from the climbing it looks like a great ride.
Aside from the climbing it looks like a great ride.
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05-27-12, 07:42 PM
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Congrats northbend! Sounds like a must-do event. The pics are wonderful, as usual. What scenery to have as backdrop for a ride. It's heartwarming that you got to spend quality time with your son. I need to give my old man a call.
05-28-12, 06:10 AM
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Thanks and yes, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic has been memorable. Yesterday we had a great time exploring Mesa Verde in the morning.
And enjoyed watching the Criterium after a late lunch at the Irish Embassy Pub in Durango:
Our time here ends today and we go our separate ways.
The drive home starts with a stop at Telluride then hopefully, a bike ride thru Colorado National Monument tomorrow...
And enjoyed watching the Criterium after a late lunch at the Irish Embassy Pub in Durango:
Our time here ends today and we go our separate ways.
The drive home starts with a stop at Telluride then hopefully, a bike ride thru Colorado National Monument tomorrow...
05-28-12, 06:48 AM
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Love that ride--when I visit friends in Durango I save a day for the ride up to Molas and return to Durango. I've been in town for the Iron Horse, too, and cheered the start, but have never joined the ride. Thanks for the memories of a great ride.
Congratulations on a fine achievement, too.
Congratulations on a fine achievement, too.
Last edited by andrewclaus; 05-28-12 at 09:08 AM.
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