Aug 21, 2012
Crested Butte will host the Stage 2 finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge on Tuesday, August 21, 2012.
Stage 2: Montrose to Mt. Crested Butte
At 99 miles in length, Stage 2 is a mix of old and new. The race begins in Montrose, Colorado with a “new” course for the first 65 miles. The race then visits familiar territory as it passes through Gunnison and retraces the 2011 route up Highway 135 to the grueling finish in Mt. Crested Butte.
Beginning at the Montrose Pavilion, the stage will begin with a quick neutral lap, then the riders head east out of town. As Montrose fades into the distance, the short but challenging climbs over Cerro Summit and Blue Mesa Summit await and make for early launch pads for the breakaway specialists. As the road levels giving way to the picturesque twists and turns along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir, the riders approach the first Sprint Line of the day in Gunnison, 65 miles away from the start in Montrose. Moving north out of Gunnison breakaway time gaps will shrink, team leaders will move to the front and domestiques will protect and position their leaders. As the riders head into downtown Crested Butte, they face the day’s last Sprint Line. From there it’s a 2-mile climb to the line at Mt. Crested Butte. A dynamic and exciting uphill finish, this short, but steep hill gave Levi Leipheimer the leader’s jersey in 2011.
How and Where to Enjoy the Fun in Downtown Crested Butte
The festivities kickoff the night before the race — Monday, August 20, 2012 — as the world famous Tour de Fat sponsored by New Belgium Brewing rolls in to town. Join the fun on Elk Avenue between 2nd and 3rd streets (the same location as the Sprint race the next day), featuring live music, libations available for purchase, and the jumbo tron that will play clips from last year’s race. Enjoy music, food and fun for all ages. The beer starts flowing at 6pm.
Racers are expected to arrive Downtown Crested Butte between 3:00 and 4:30pm on Tuesday, but you’ll want to arrive much in earlier than that to stake out your viewing spot and enjoy the day of fun.
Watch or ride the Townie Crit: “Townies” are the cruiser bikes used for everyday transportation through town. A Townie Criterium takes place before the race. Riders emulate the loop that the pro-racers will be sprinting later that afternoon, except for a brief detour through local Talk of the Town bar to add a little excitement and hilarious spectating opportunities. Dress in your favorite tutu, wig or crazy costume and join the fun. Registration is in the Post Office parking lot in the downtown sprint line viewing area and the race begins at 11am.
Best place to watch the race?
There are great viewing opportunities throughout town (see the Downtown Crested Butte map). To see the most exciting action, watch the sprint line (where racers capture points toward the sprint jersey), located on Elk Avenue between Second and Third Streets.
Other Helpful Resources
Transportation Notables
As the US Pro Cycling Challenge takes place on many roads throughout Crested Butte, you need to be aware of road closures throughout the day and plan accordingly. Street parking will be limited all day Tuesday.
- Parking: Community School – You will see the Community School on the right side of Hwy 135 once you are approaching town limits. Take the first right to get to the parking lot. Free shuttles will run every 20 minutes to downtown Crested Butte.
- Traffic Delays: Expect delays coming to Crested Butte via Hwy 135 or Cottonwood Pass as early as Monday, due to incresed traffic coming to town for the event.
- Road Closures on Race Day (all times are approximate, based on how the race progresses):
- Highway 50 Eastbound from Montrose will be interrupted from approximately 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM. Westbound traffic will also be delayed for up to two hours during this time.
- Traffic on Highway 135 will be stopped between Gunnison and Crested Butte (both north and southbound) beginning approximately 2:30 PM and continuing until 4:30 PM or later.
- Road closures within the Town of Crested Butte impacting Elk Avenue, Whiterock, 1st , 2nd, 5th and the alley between 2nd and 3rd will begin at 6:00am and continue until approximately 4:30pm.
- Gothic Road between Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte will be closed to all traffic beginning approximately 2:30pm and continuing for at least two (2) hours, potentially longer
- Cottonwood Pass from Taylor Park to the Pass will be closed to all traffic at 2:00pm
- Road Closures the day AFTER Race Day (all times are approximate, based on how the race progresses):
- Highway 135 from Almont to Gunnison will be closed beginning approximately 9:30am continuing through 11:30am
- County Road 742 (Taylor River Canyon) will be closed to all traffic at 8:30am until approximately 1:00pm
- Cottonwood Pass from Taylor Park to the summit will be closed all day until approximately 3:00pm.
- Spectators will likely be leaving town via all exiting roads
Visit the USA Pro Cycling – Stage 2 Crested Butte website or Facebook for complete information including schedule, photos, videos, and how to get involved.
