Bike Week shifts to big ring
Published: Sunday, June 24, 2007 6:39 PM CDT
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Bike Week is up and running through Friday
By Elizabeth Guest
Like dogs, bikes are everywhere in this town. There’s your shaggy mutts — the cushy cruisers clanking down main street, and then there’s the pure breds — top-of-the-line machines like Santa Cruzes, Moots and Specialized.
With a surrounding system of top-notch trails and scenic roadways, it’s no wonder bikes are so prevalent. Even those who haven’t hammered up Eider or burned up to Lizard Head have struck out on a cruiser for a pedal around town.
Though every week, in fact every day, seems to showcase bikes, this week marks the Fifthth Annual Telluride Bike Week. The week-long event started yesterday with trail maintenance on the Telluride ski area.
If you missed the opening day, fear not, there are ample activities throughout the week to clip in and contribute to the cause.
And what is this cause? This so-called week of celebrating bikes?
It’s basically about getting back to the basics: Bikes as a source of transportation, amusement and health.
“Much of our lives are centered around recreation, where the bike is a great way to get outdoors, get to work, and feel good doing it — all reasons why we enjoy life in a mountain community,” said Daniel Murray, event organizer and local cyclist on the Paragon Cycling Team.
It’s no coincidence Murray’s tallied five years in town, the same as the Telluride Bike Week. He started the event, based on the annual bike week activities in Flagstaff, Ariz., where he attended college.
“It’s my baby,” he said of the event. “In our fifth year, we have stuck to the events that work.”
These events include group rides for men, women and juniors, a competitive hill climb, a movie night, a bike to work day plus a blow-out finale with a bike rodeo, parade and silent auction.
With a full range of activities, it’s all in an effort to get more people on bikes.
For many locals, biking means commuting — to and from work, errands in town or late-night rides home. A convenience for certain, bike commuting also serves as an eco friendly alternative.
For this reason, the Telluride Bike Week coincides with the official Colorado Bike to Work Day. On Wednesday, the theme is “Don‘t Pollute, Bike Commute.” Besides serving up positive words of wisdom, the Bike to Work Day celebration includes breakfast, coffee and bike tune-ups for commuters en route to work. But you have to get up early, the event starts at 7:30 a.m. at Paragon Ski and Sport on main street.
Another purpose of Bike Week is safety, especially with so many young riders picking up the sport. Involvement in any bike week event comes complete with lessons on safety, and a greater awareness about the sport.
Lessons like teaching people that bikes follow the same rules as cars. Yes, you may be working harder, pedaling your weight, but you still have to stop for those pesky stops signs. Bike Week also promotes putting people in proper bike gear, particularly kids in helmets.
From mountain bikers to road warriors, masters to juniors, Bike Week brings all kinds of cyclists community closer together. With the number of local riders increasing each year, Bike Week advocates meeting new enthusiasts as well as catching up with ones you already know.
“Generally speaking I think cycling in Telluride is growing. Bike shops are strong and we now have the Valley Floor,” said Murray. “One of the big goals of the entire event is to bring the cycling community together.”
And have fun in the process.
Or following the procession, as will be the case Tuesday at the Lizard Head Hill Climb, a roughly 6-mile ascent from the Ophir Loop to the pass. In its second running, the event follows a time trial format with each rider starting within an allotted interval of one another. Times will be recorded by Cath and John Jett of CJ Timing.
“It’s a way to test your fitness, prep yourself for Mount Evans or Full Tilt in Telluride, or even Mountains to Desert,” said Murray of one of the few road bike competitions in Telluride.
If you don’t want to raise your heart rate, Bike Film Night is an entertaining activity that only demands a pair of active eyes. Scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., the film “24-solo“ will screen at the Sheridan Opera House.
“It’s a story about determination in the pursuit of glory, and it’s about the bike,” said Murray of the film, which follows the emotional and physical challenges of 24-hour soloists. People like local rider Peter Kenyon who competed in 24-hours of Moab by himself last fall. (The race only lasted 9-hours due to monsoonal weather.) In addition to a captivating story, the film features the usual adrenaline-filled footage of fast-moving bikes barreling down technical singletrack.
If that doesn’t pique your interest, then how about some free New Belgium beer. All for $10, Bike Film Night also includes a raffle of prizes.
Friday’s finale includes a bike auction, rodeo and parade.
“It’s all meant to be fun, and really casual,” said Murray of Bike Week’s closing festivities. “The Bike rodeo for kids is education via the Marshals, the adult rodeo is a huffy toss, with maybe some bike polo, a limbo, and barbecuing.”
Now’s your chance to score that much-needed crusier. The Marshal’s Bike Auction will sell off old, abandoned bikes to the top bidders.
Everyone is encouraged to take part in all or any of the Bike Week activities. No matter age or ability, bikers should check out this week’s ongoing action and spread the cycling love.
Of course, the Paragon Team, entering the middle part of the competitive season, will be out in full force. With a full schedule ahead, the team will next tackle races in Snow Mass on July 14, Mount Evans on July 21, Full Tilt in Telluride on July 28 and the Leadville 100 on Aug. 11.
“We are a small team, but always post good results,” Murray said of his crew. “ It would be great to get some new riders, any ability and we are trying to promote the ‘club’ concept to get people in the jersey on group rides and the occasional race.”
For more information on the event, contact Murray at 729-1379.
