| 6/17/2009 9:07:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Ride the Rockies cyclists follow Seventh Street towards Salida High School Tuesday to finish the 65-mile leg from Gunnison. Later, cyclists set up camp at the school, and mingled in Riverside Park. Today, they leave Salida for a 60-mile ride to Leadville. Photo by Kevin Hoffman |
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Salida smooth for RtR
Audrey Gilpin - Mail Staff Writer
As Salida High School, Riverside Park and downtown began to fill Tuesday, local residents fed, entertained and welcomed droves of Ride the Rockies cyclists from nine countries and all 50 states.
"Salida welcomed us with open arms," tour director Chandler Smith said.
So far the tour has progressed smooth with "nothing out of the ordinary," Smith said. "We go to great lengths to make it safe by directing traffic, having riding medics and providing aid stations."
Riding medic Mark Denooy of Denver, an 11th-time participant, said a handful of riders fell as they crossed railroad tracks on the first day and experienced minor road rash.
A woman broke her arm Monday, a few people broke collarbones and one man was treated for a possible heart attack, Denooy said.
"With 2,200 people on the road riding with vehicles, injuries do happen," Smith said.
Several riders noticed the recent Salida chip seal street project, but had few complaints.
Ken Reed of Arvada said, "I'm used to riding in Denver where there's traffic, torn up roads and more hazards. Riding in Salida has been great."
Chuck Steyaert, a sixth-year Ride the Rockies veteran from Centennial said, "Salida's one of our favorite places to visit. I noticed the roads had been chip sealed, but I thought they were packed and not dangerous."
Shane Katz recently turned 40 and decided to participate in Ride the Rockies for the first time. He said he did it because his mother rode when she was 40. He said Salida streets were "perfect," and added he "hasn't heard one complaint."
Complaints seemed minimal from cyclists regarding the tour. Attitudes Tuesday afternoon were mellow and amiable.
Californian Doug Patterson is impressed with Colorado beauty and said, "Summer feels like spring. I've enjoyed the wildflowers and rushing creeks. The route is gorgeous."
With friends in her home and spaghetti in progress, ride participant Karen Karnuta of Salida said the weather has been "great" and "is really holding out" despite ice on her baggage Tuesday in Gunnison.
Her only complaint, she said Tuesday afternoon, was four friends from the tour who were in her hot tub asking her to bring them some beers.
"What's wrong with this picture?" she said with a laugh.
Most riders interviewed said the climb over 11,312-foot Monarch Pass wasn't too difficult, but the route Monday from Hotchkiss to Gunnison had cyclists singing a different tune.
"(That) route was the hardest part of the trip thus far," 12-year veteran Bob Foley of Colorado Springs said. "We rode uphill for a 47 mile stretch."
T.S. Kelso, a rocket scientist from Colorado Springs, said the ride Monday was more difficult than he expected.
"I kept coming around turns thinking I was through with the uphill, and there continued to be an incline each time. I thought to myself, 'I should have stopped at the last aid station,'" Kelso said.
A Colorado native and fifth-year participant, Kelso said during the rides, he continues to find parts of the state he's never seen.
Participating in Ride the Rockies wasn't exactly a vacation from being a rocket scientist, Kelso said with a laugh, adding, "Why am I torturing myself on vacation? I should find something more relaxing."
Cyclists will head to Leadville today, traveling 60 miles on U.S. 285 and U.S. 24.
Several cyclists said they are looking forward to pedaling over 12,095-foot Independence Pass across the Continental Divide from East Slope to West Slope.
Law enforcement personnel remind motorists to use caution while traveling and to remain aware of cyclists.
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