WHERE to see the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge returns to Colorado in 3 weeks. Remember how much fun we had last year at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge? Well .... it's back. Time again to talk logistics for attending the race. Pedal Dancer is going to provide fans with a HOW, WHEN, WHERE, WHO, AND WHY guide, plus a few extra surprises. To set a solid foundation, first in a series of posts will be WHERE. When do we need to be there as fans; here are some dates and times and general schedule to keep in mind while planning your trip to see the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado.
Save the Date: August 20-26, 2012, pro cycling returns to Colorado. Visit the Official USPCC website
WHERE
Come by car, by bike, by foot, by public transportation - just come. The race is free to spectators, but you may buy VIP passes for the start and finish areas. Whether you attend a start or finish, arrive early to avoid parking hassles and to enjoy the numerous events surrounding the race.
Below is the route of the 7 stages of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The host cities, stage length, route maps, stage profiles, highway impact, start and finish times (exact times will be updated when official time schedules are released), and links to the city websites with further details of race day events:
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| 2012 Colorado commemorative jersey, buy more jerseys |
Monday, Aug. 20: Stage 1, Durango – Telluride
125.6 miles/202.1 km over Lizard Head Pass
Route Map: Day 1/ Stage 1: Monday, August 20, 2012
Stage-1 profile map
Stage 1 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 160, State Highway 184, State Highway 145
Stage Start Begins: 10am (Neutral Start at Main St. at 8th St.)
Stage Finish at: 2:57-4:27pm (Race Finish at County Courthouse)
Durango City Website for the race, travel and event information
Telluride City Website for the race, travel and event information
125.6 miles/202.1 km over Lizard Head Pass
Route Map: Day 1/ Stage 1: Monday, August 20, 2012
Stage-1 profile map
Stage 1 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 160, State Highway 184, State Highway 145
Stage Start Begins: 10am (Neutral Start at Main St. at 8th St.)
Stage Finish at: 2:57-4:27pm (Race Finish at County Courthouse)
Durango City Website for the race, travel and event information
Telluride City Website for the race, travel and event information
Tuesday, Aug. 21: Stage 2, Montrose – Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
99.2 miles/159.6 km along rolling hills and Blue Mesa Reservoir, an excellent ride
Route Map: Day 2/ Stage 2: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Stage-2 profile map
Stage 2 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: US 50, State Highway 135
Stage Start Begins: 11:25am (Neutral Start at Pavilion/Kent Ave)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:19-4:29pm (Mt. Crested Butte)
Montrose City Website for the race, travel and event information
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information
Crested Butte City Website for the race, travel and event information
99.2 miles/159.6 km along rolling hills and Blue Mesa Reservoir, an excellent ride
Route Map: Day 2/ Stage 2: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Stage-2 profile map
Stage 2 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: US 50, State Highway 135
Stage Start Begins: 11:25am (Neutral Start at Pavilion/Kent Ave)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:19-4:29pm (Mt. Crested Butte)
Montrose City Website for the race, travel and event information
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information
Crested Butte City Website for the race, travel and event information
Wednesday, Aug. 22: Stage 3, Gunnison – Aspen
130.5 miles/210.0 km over Cottonwood Pass, Independence Pass -west. The same route as 2011 Stage 2
Route Map: Day 3/ Stage 3: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Stage-3 profile map
Stage 3 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 135, Cottonwood Pass, US 24, State Highway 82- Independence Pass
Stage Start Begins: 10:10am (Neutral Start at CO 135 and Virginia Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:11-4:41pm (Race Finish at Paepcke Park)
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information
130.5 miles/210.0 km over Cottonwood Pass, Independence Pass -west. The same route as 2011 Stage 2
Route Map: Day 3/ Stage 3: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Stage-3 profile map
Stage 3 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 135, Cottonwood Pass, US 24, State Highway 82- Independence Pass
Stage Start Begins: 10:10am (Neutral Start at CO 135 and Virginia Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:11-4:41pm (Race Finish at Paepcke Park)
Gunnison City Website for the race, travel and event information
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information
Thursday, Aug. 23: Stage 4, Aspen – Beaver Creek/Vail Valleys
97.2 miles/156.4 km over Independence Pass - east, Tennesee Pass, climb to the top of Beaver Creek resort
Route Map: Day 4/ Stage 4: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Stage-4 profile map
Stage 4 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 82, US 24, US 6
Stage Start Begins: 11:35am (Neutral Start on Main St. at Galena St)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:30-4:28pm (Race Finish on Village Rd.)
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information
Beaver Creek City Website for the race, travel and event information
97.2 miles/156.4 km over Independence Pass - east, Tennesee Pass, climb to the top of Beaver Creek resort
Route Map: Day 4/ Stage 4: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Stage-4 profile map
Stage 4 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 82, US 24, US 6
Stage Start Begins: 11:35am (Neutral Start on Main St. at Galena St)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:30-4:28pm (Race Finish on Village Rd.)
Aspen City Website for the race, travel and event information
Beaver Creek City Website for the race, travel and event information
Friday, Aug. 24: Stage 5, Breckenridge – Colorado Springs
117.9 miles/189.7 km over Hoosier Pass
Route Map: Day 5/ Stage 5: Friday, August 24, 2012
Stage-5 profile map
Stage 5 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 9, US 2
Stage Start Begins: 10:50am (Neutral Start at Main St. and Washington Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:08-4:1pm (Race Finish at Tejon St. and Pikes Peak)
Breckenridge City Website for the race, travel and event information
Colorado Springs City Website for the race, travel and event information
117.9 miles/189.7 km over Hoosier Pass
Route Map: Day 5/ Stage 5: Friday, August 24, 2012
Stage-5 profile map
Stage 5 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 9, US 2
Stage Start Begins: 10:50am (Neutral Start at Main St. and Washington Ave.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:08-4:1pm (Race Finish at Tejon St. and Pikes Peak)
Breckenridge City Website for the race, travel and event information
Colorado Springs City Website for the race, travel and event information
Saturday, Aug. 25: Stage 6, Golden – Boulder [Presented by Nissan]
103.3 miles/166.2 km up 119 to Peak to Peak Scenic Highway 72, down Hwy 7 to Lyons, south on 36 to Boulder, up Lefthand Canyon, up Lee Hill, into downtown and up Flagstaff.
Route Map: Day 6/ Stage 6: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Stage-6 profile map
Stage 6 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 93, State Highway 119, State Highway 72, State Highway 7, US 36
Stage Start Begins: 11:10am (Neutral start on Washington Ave. at 12th St.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:14-3:58pm (Race Finish at Flagstaff Amphitheater)
Golden City Website for the race, travel and event information
Boulder City Website for the race, travel and event information
103.3 miles/166.2 km up 119 to Peak to Peak Scenic Highway 72, down Hwy 7 to Lyons, south on 36 to Boulder, up Lefthand Canyon, up Lee Hill, into downtown and up Flagstaff.
Route Map: Day 6/ Stage 6: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Stage-6 profile map
Stage 6 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: State Highway 93, State Highway 119, State Highway 72, State Highway 7, US 36
Stage Start Begins: 11:10am (Neutral start on Washington Ave. at 12th St.)
Stage Finish at: Approximately 3:14-3:58pm (Race Finish at Flagstaff Amphitheater)
Golden City Website for the race, travel and event information
Boulder City Website for the race, travel and event information
Sunday, Aug. 26: Stage 7, ITT Denver
A 9.5 miles/15.3 km final exciting individual time trial through Denver, the state capital of Colorado.
The course begins and ends at Civic Center Park and includes an “out and back” along 17th Avenue and a loop within City Park.
Route Map: Day 7/ Denver Time Trial: Sunday, August 26, 2012
Stage 7 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: None (no major highways, but local streets, yes) http://www.denver.org/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/images/denver-road-closures.pdf
Stage Start Begins: 1:00pm
Stage Finish at: Before 4:00pm
Denver City Website for the race, travel and event information
Stage start and finish maps - 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge:
A 9.5 miles/15.3 km final exciting individual time trial through Denver, the state capital of Colorado.
The course begins and ends at Civic Center Park and includes an “out and back” along 17th Avenue and a loop within City Park.
Route Map: Day 7/ Denver Time Trial: Sunday, August 26, 2012
Stage 7 Timetable.pdf
Highways Impacted: None (no major highways, but local streets, yes) http://www.denver.org/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/images/denver-road-closures.pdf
Stage Start Begins: 1:00pm
Stage Finish at: Before 4:00pm
Denver City Website for the race, travel and event information
Stage start and finish maps - 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge:
Stage-1-Start.pdf- Stage-1-Finish.pdf
- Stage-2-Start.pdf
- Stage-2-Finish.pdf
- Stage-3-Start.pdf
- Stage-3-Finish.pdf
- Stage-4-Start.pdf
- Stage-4-Finish.pdf
- Stage-5-Start.pdf
- Stage-5-Finish.pdf
- Stage-6-Start.pdf
- Stage-6-Finish.pdf
- Stage-7-Start-Finish.pdf
Road Closures for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Road closures are a key concern, detailed information may be found here regarding roads, direction of traffic halted, and times: http://www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/ Once you are on the website, please select from the Stage tabs on the page to see the road closures affecting roads near each stage.CDOT has created an excellent website for fans regarding travel advisories for roads on the race route. http://www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/
Pedal Dancer at the race
I am so excited to be able to attend the race again this year. Having a race of this caliber in my backyard is still a "pinch me is this real" experience. I will be a happy member of the press again this year and plan to show up early in Durango to enjoy the press conference and citizens ride. I wish I could go to the team presentation, but the $200 price tag is a bit steep for me. I will see the Finish in Telluride, the Start in Montrose, be on Independence Pass with the fans for Stage 3, at the top of Beaver Creek for Stage 4, in the town of Breckenridge for the Start of Stage 6, and in either Golden or Boulder for Stage 6 (at this point I am leaning toward the fantastic friendly atmosphere in Golden, and finally at the exciting festive time trial in Denver (my hometown). I hope to see you out there - please say Hi to me and tell me your story of what you saw at the race. I learn from you.
I am so excited to be able to attend the race again this year. Having a race of this caliber in my backyard is still a "pinch me is this real" experience. I will be a happy member of the press again this year and plan to show up early in Durango to enjoy the press conference and citizens ride. I wish I could go to the team presentation, but the $200 price tag is a bit steep for me. I will see the Finish in Telluride, the Start in Montrose, be on Independence Pass with the fans for Stage 3, at the top of Beaver Creek for Stage 4, in the town of Breckenridge for the Start of Stage 6, and in either Golden or Boulder for Stage 6 (at this point I am leaning toward the fantastic friendly atmosphere in Golden, and finally at the exciting festive time trial in Denver (my hometown). I hope to see you out there - please say Hi to me and tell me your story of what you saw at the race. I learn from you.
Please also see
PEDAL DANCER FAN PAGE: 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE