Colorado Welcomes the World to USA Pro Cycling Challenge

August 22nd - 28th, 2011  USA Pro Cycling Challenge

For the first time, Colorado will be host to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.  Race officials estimate this event will draw over one million spectators over the 7-day event.  128 professional cyclists will be enjoying the thrill of racing across the Highest State in the Union, Colorado! The Cyclists will be racing over 500 miles of Colorado terrain, though many towns and cities including; Aspen, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Denver, Gunnison, Salida, Steamboat Springs and Vail.

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Colorado's Largest Spectator Event in History!

Traffic will be impacted through the week.  In addition to the race, spectators will be permitted to camp along the highway in order to see the races speed by.  Spectators are required to follow a few simple rules (see below) but having a front row seat is going to be fabulous!  I can hardly wait!

Official Release:

The Colorado State Patrol in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service is committed to making the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (August 22-28, 2011) a world class event for the race participants, citizens of Colorado and spectators. Therefore, in keeping with the bicycle racing tradition of spectator access, here are the guidelines for camping and roadside parking along Colorado State Highways: Parking and camping will be allowed along Colorado highway right of ways as long as it meets the following conditions: • Roadside parking/camping can be in place no more than 24 hours in advance of the time the race is expected to pass that location. • All vehicles, including trailers, must be parked off the traveled portion of the highway, this includes all shoulders, gore points, divided highway areas and access to private property. • All vehicles, including trailers, may not pose a safety risk to the motoring public regardless of parking or camping area. • All spectators will ensure their areas are clean of debris and trash after they leave. If the area becomes overwhelmed with vehicles, including trailers, or the number of vehicles in an area is deemed excessive, CDOT and CSP may clear the area and require vehicles to move to another location.

Summary of Traffic Impacts:

August 22/Day 1/Prologue in Colorado Springs: Highways impacted include I-25, US 24, and Business US 24. Impacts will begin at noon and end by approximately 4:30 p.m. August 23/Day 2/Stage 1 from Salida to Mount Crested Butte: Highways impacted include State Highway 114, State Highway 135, US 50, US 285, and Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end by approximately 4:30 p.m. August 24/Day 3/Stage 2 from Gunnison to Aspen: Highways impacted include State Highway 82, US 24, Cottonwood Pass, and Independence Pass. Cottonwood Pass will be closed from August 23 at 3 p.m. until August 24 at approximately 1 p.m. Other impacts will start at 11 a.m. and will last until approximately 4 p.m. August 25/Day 4/Stage 3 Vail Time Trial: I-70 will be impacted from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. August 26/Day 5/Stage 4 from Avon to Steamboat Springs: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 131, and US 6. Impacts will start at noon and end by approximately 4 p.m. August 27/Day 6/Stage 5 from Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge: Highways impacted include I-70, State Highway 9, State Highway 134, US 6, US 40, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Impacts start as early as 9 a.m. and will end by approximately 4 p.m. August 28/Day 7/Stage 6 from Golden to Denver: Highways impacted include I-25, I-70, I-70 Business (Colfax Ave.), State Highway 58, State Highway 93, State Highway 95 (Sheridan Blvd.), State Highway 121 (Wadsworth Blvd.), State Highway 391 (Kipling St.), and US 6. Impacts begin as early as 5 a.m. and will end by approximately 3 p.m. Visit USA PRO Cycling Challenge for road conditions in your area during the race.  Spectator information is available at the USAPCC official website.  CDOT would like to remind m otorists to obey road signs, Colorado State Patrol, and race officials!

Be sure to visit the Official site Store.  I love the T-Shirts they really capture the spirit of the event!  As one who enjoys the thrill of an earned descent (after a poky climb) this saying made me chuckle...

"60 Miles Per Hour 1 Inch of Rubber"

Colorado residents what better activity can you be doing next week than cheering on the best Cyclists in the World!  Let's show up and give them the warm welcome they deserve!