Pikes Peak Cycling Week schedule of events
Here’s what is happening in the Colorado Springs area this week during the USA Pro Challenge cycling race through Colorado. Stages will be held Thursday in Colorado Springs and start Thursday in Woodland Park, and there’s a lot happening for young and old.
TUESDAY
Club Cafe Velo Ride (coordinated by Café Velo) 5:30-7:30 p.m., Cafe Velo (11550 Ridgeline Drive #102) – An all-abilities ride (8 to 20-plus miles) on the roads up north near Café Velo – some of the nicest road riding in El Paso County. Beer and snacks at Café Velo after the ride. Participants can RSVP directly via Meetup.com, by phone (772-6101) or email (contact@cafevelobikes.com).
WEDNESDAY
UpaDowna Pedal Party (coordinated by UpaDowna) – 6-7:30 p.m., McCabe’s Tavern (520 S. Tejon St.). This family-friendly, all-ages cycling extravaganza is the perfect reason to saddle up and pedal around town during the the beautiful summer months for this 5-mile ride. Whether you ride a clunker, a fat bike, a trike, a unicycle, a tall bike, small bike … all are welcome!
Race day activities and festival
THURSDAY
Finish Festival (Pikes Peak between Cascade and Tejon)
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
– Multiple big screen TVs showing live broadcast of the race
– Kid’s Zone featuring inflatables, Strider Bikes, and other family fun
– Vendor and merchandise booths
– Three beer locations provided by Sierra Nevada
– A wine location provided by Infinite Monkey Theorem
– Live entertainment by Maxxis BMX Stunt Team
– Complimentary bike valet at Acacia Park from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Race day food and drink specials / sales – Downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City, featuring live entertainment from Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society at Bancroft Park
Celebrate Colorado Springs Cycling Ride – 11:30 a.m.-noon, Free community ride through downtown Colorado Springs featuring cycling organizations: USA Cycling members, USA Triathlon members, cycling clubs, BMX clubs, adaptive riding groups, unicycles, etc. Riders will stage at Acacia Park (Platte and Tejon) at 10:45. The ride will begin at 11:30 and go south on Tejon from Acacia Park to Colorado Avenue, west on Colorado to Cascade, north on Cascade to Bijou, east on Bijou to finish at Acacia Park.
Miss-n-Out Invitational Criterium – Noon-12:30 p.m.: Short criterium course (0.75 miles/lap) within downtown Colorado Springs. This will be an invitational race limited to 50 riders with riders dropped periodically until 10 riders will race each other over the final laps to determine a winner. The race will be run so that final lap will finish before 12:30. Riders will stage at UPC Finish Line at 11:45. The race will start at UPC Finish Line with riders heading south on Tejon to Colorado, west on Colorado to Cascade, north on Cascade to Bijou, east on Bijou to Tejon and south on Tejon to the UPC Finish Line.
Invitational Sprint Tournament – 12:30 pm: Four heats of five riders (male and female) will sprint 430 meters from Platte Avenue to the UPC Finish Line.
Not So Pro Cycling Challenge – (Coordinated by Colorado Springs Independent) 4:15-5 p.m.: 11 teams of “cyclists” will compete a cycling course on tricked-out kid’s bikes on Tejon between Pikes Peak and Kiowa.
Stage 4 Gala – The Broadmoor Hotel (One Lake Ave.) A special evening at The Broadmoor.
– VIP Reception at The Penrose Heritage Museum and Stage 4 Gala (next to Broadmoor Hall) 6-7 p.m.: $250 per person.
Enjoy cocktails and light appetizers with Phil Liggett, universally known as “the voice of cycling,” and Paul Sherwen, an expert analyst, to celebrate the excitement of Stage 4 at an exclusive VIP reception before heading to The Broadmoor for a three-course dinner and Q&A with some of the top riders in the sport. (Dinner in Broadmoor Hall) 6:30- 8:30 p.m.: $150 per person
AUG. 24
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb – The ultimate test as participants compete on the same 20-kilometer course as The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb motor sports race.
