(Video by Mike Prendergast) For a higher resolution video click here
From August 22nd through August 28th, one of the biggest professional cycling races in the United States will commence in Colorado Springs. This is one of the largest U.S. stage races in recent years, drawing international stars like Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers to do battle on our soil, with our heroes including Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Colorado favorite, Tom Danielson. KineticShift.com will be there; and actually we have already been there and had a chance to pre-ride Stage 2, the ‘Queen Stage’ of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC).
At 131 miles and with two 12,000-foot mountain passes, Stage 2 of the UPCC will arguably be the hardest day of racing for the pros due to the altitude, length and unpredictable Colorado weather. Experience it here from a rider’s view as we climb, descend and film our way through the Queen Stage… returning with some interviews and insight for you!
This week’s coverage:
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for Gunnison to Buena Vista
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for after Buena Vista to Aspen
Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge
How KineticShift was able to ride Stage 2 of the UPCC…
A few weeks ago an inquiry was made to ask if we were interested in previewing a stage or two of the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC) being held this August 22-28 throughout Colorado. The offer was made for us to visit a host city, be driven through the course and visit with the host city on the other side of that stage. As much fun as that sounded, it also sound like torture. It was not that we were not anxious to see the course and meet with all of the representatives, but the thought of being in a car and not getting to experience the stage first-hand on a bike is the part that sounded like torture.
Mike Prendergast and Brian O’Connor proposed that the pair drive up to the start of a stage to meet with the representatives, ride the stage on our bikes while recording video and meet with the representatives on the other end of the stage. Being avid cyclists, they wanted to experience at least one stage, but requested that it be the hardest stage. They were given the opportunity to ride Stage 2 – the Queen Stage. From Gunnison to Aspen, this 131 mile stage features 9,746 feet of climbing crossing the Continental Divide at Cottonwood Pass (12,126 feet) and Independence Pass (12,095 feet). As a bonus for the racers, actually as a bonus for the spectators, the ascent up Cottonwood Pass offers 14 miles of dirt road with a number of switchbacks and potholes. The thought of riding over the two highest climbs of the race sounded perfect. We hope you find the information helpful as you try to catch a piece of history fly by on two wheels!
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