Cyclists looking for something exciting and unique to take part in over Labor Day weekend, the search has ended.
In its inaugural year, the Indian Peaks Classic will provide a challenging and gorgeous look at a mix of roads that promises to combine endurance, skill and fun into a completely new fondo-type of experience, with full support and end party included.
Speaking of support, the race is organized behind the scenes by Alpine Cycling Connection, www.cyclewithalpine.com, so you know the services and road closures, etc., will be dialed.
On the front end however, the beneficiary of the Indian Peaks Classic – besides the participants themselves – is the local Just Go Harder Foundation, providing a path for kids through cycling and skiing. The 501(c)3 nonprofit was founded by Indian Peaks/Boulder locals and former professional cyclists Timmy Duggan and Ian MacGregor, in part to be a scholarship vehicle for the Eldora Mountain Ski Club and Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures, where the two both got their start.
“Both Ian and I were truly shaped by this area, this community and the athletic and outdoor opportunities in the Boulder/Nederland area. That’s why we started the Just Go Harder Foundation, a scholarship fund to get local kids involved in the skiing and cycling programs of the area that we came up through,” said Duggan. “As a brand new event for the Front Range, the Indian Peaks Classic puts the best the area has to offer into one super fun event to wrap up the summer.”
For those looking to delve a little deeper, organizers are offering a VIP Sneak Peak event on Saturday, September 5, the day before the ride on Sunday the 6th. This “Total Indian Peaks Experience” event will begin on Friday night, September 4, with a reception in Boulder at the upscale St. Julien. The next morning riders will be transported up to Nederland and the famed Salto Coffee Works (the go-to meeting place for cyclists in Ned) for a catered breakfast. From there a 65km ride will ensue with pros including Steven Nyman, Duggan and MacGregor. Lunch is again catered at Salto with a dinner back down in Boulder at Arugula. You even get an inaugural year jersey and registration to the main event on Sunday.
“The Indian Peaks Classic gives people the opportunity to ride a set of roads that aren’t often traversed by the Boulder cycling crowd, while experiencing the amazing beauty of the Indian Peaks/Nederland area. We’ve got a great list of headliners including Steven Nyman from the U.S. Ski Team, Kiel Reijnen and Lucas Euser of the United Health Care Pro Cycling Team, Timmy Duggan, and more,” said MacGregor, who not only raced professionally from 2005 through 2010, with career highlights including winning back-to-back U23 National Championships, a stage win at the Tour de Beauce, and a stage win at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, but is also CEO at Skratch Labs.
“Each entry will include ride food and drink from Skratch Labs, food at the finish — riders will have the option to choose from the Skratch Labs food truck, Yellowbelly Chicken, and potentially more if there are enough people to warrant more food trucks — beer, and a finish expo including a live band, all right in Nederland, Colorado,” said MacGregor.
“The Indian Peaks Classic is a bit unique in that you could ride it with a few different bike and equipment options,” explained Duggan. “What would you choose? Road bike with big tires? Cross bike? 29er MTB? You’ll have fun on any of those. It will introduce people to some roads and routes that few on the Front Range know about. There’s a lot of exploring and adventuring to be had in the Nederland and Peak to Peak area on a bike!”
A 33km route and 73km route will provide a breathtaking challenge for all skill levels, especially given the 8,400-foot start in Nederland and 6,430 feet of elevation gain on the long route.
Register as soon as possible to reserve your spot at www.indianpeaksclassic.com.
