The famous Iron Horse bicycle classic is known for its super scenic 47 mile Durango to Silverton road race. Turns out it has a whole weekend of bike riding fun including a criterium, time trial, and a unique mountain bike race with some incredible spectator action. Mountain flyer magazine has a nice write-up on the year's events at http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/view.php/ironhorse2013.html.
This year the ride through Steamworks brewery returned, and a bunch of man-made obstacles were added on the road on the city block before entering the brewery, ensuring some serious havoc for the spectators. I, being a person that likes to please, made sure to crash during all 3 laps. Just doing my part. I lost a bit of skin, have a sore thumb, and bent a few pieces on the bike but hey, I gave a few hundred spectators a bit of fun.
I really enjoyed the ambience, the course, and especially the crowd during the 18-ish mile race. The course was tough enough to split people up and technical enough to require some thinking as to where to conserve energy or pass. There were a few climbs, plenty of fast downhills, and even some seriously short course turns smack in the middle of the Fort Lewis college that felt like a cyclocross event with tight taped corners everywhere.
I learned a few things: First, it's important to be at the front of the mass start for all pros and Category 1 men. Failing to do that will cause you to walk up the first singletrack climb of the day and lose precious minutes. I probably walked 3-5 minutes, talking to others, just waiting for people to make their way up the hill. There is a short road section before the singletrack but it wasn't long or steep enough to create any separation. Must. Be. In. Front.
Second, flying over a water hazard is good, unless the landing is wet and there's a tight right hand turn directly after it. The bike tends to slip when the tires are wet. Human loses skin when sliding sideways on concrete and pavement.
Third, riding on a 2x4 elevated a foot off the ground at full speed will create crowd cheers. Especially when riding off the 2x4 into a clump of well-placed logs. Bike stops quickly when front wheel hits logs.
Lastly, even though one can fly over large rock gardens during the first two laps, it doesn't mean the same will occur for the third lap. Coming up a bit short causes a superman-like flight until gravity takes over. Bike flies higher and attempts to stomp human. It's a physics thing. Best crowd pleaser I could muster. I really hope someone captured a video; I'd like to see the carnage.
All in all it was a hugely successful training race for me. I had no expectations but of course I would have liked to do well. I placed 9th out of 17 starters in my age group, or 49th out of 76 Pro and Category 1 men racers. Mid pack.
This is a must-do event for certain. It was a blast. The end.
