Tom Ober mountain bikes down the Colorado Trail. Participants in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Cruiser Criterium.
#BEAT THE TRAIN IRON HORSE BIKE RACE FULL#
Today, registration in the citizens’ tour is capped at 1,200 riders and Memorial Day weekend sees a full schedule of competitive and zany bicycling events.
The leg and lung-burning event seeing cyclists ride 50 miles from Durango to Silverton, cresting three mountain passes, the highest at 10,899 feet. The following year, in 1972, 36 riders rode in the first Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. After several races, Tom finally beat the train into Silverton, to his brother’s awe, and all of Durango knew of his bragging rights. As the train passed the Mayers’ house, Jim blew the whistle and Tom was off on his 10-speed bike. In 1971, bicycle enthusiast Tom Mayer challenged his older brother, locomotive engineer Jim, to a race. The iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train began a cycling tradition for which Durango is known internationally. Ned Overend rides the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic with Tom Mayer.
Bikes are frequent on the roads, and Durango motorists give them wide berth and no hassles. The Animas River Trail is a 7-mile long bike and pedestrian-only path that goes downtown, following the Animas River through the heart of the city. On Saturdays, the downtown Durango farmer's market is packed with people who pedaled there, their bike baskets loaded with fresh produce, flowers and bread for their return trip. Its picturesque Western Victorian downtown has bike racks spaced frequently along the sidewalk, often loaded up with cruisers, single-speed and old commuters while their owners shop or enjoy a cup o' Joe or brew. Photo courtesy of Steve LareseĮven if you're not a world-class athlete, Durango is the perfect town for getting around in on a bicycle.
Combine that with its laid-back attitude and great brew pubs, and it's no wonder that cycling greats such as John Tomac and Ned Overend call this area home. From ribbons of quiet mountain highway and backroads to seemingly endless single track with one glorious view after another, Durango, Colorado is a cyclist's town.
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