Iron Horse Classic - Colorado, USA
The Climbs
Coal bank Pass - Molas Pass - Red Mountain Pass
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The Route 119km
Start point is in the Town of Durango Coal bank Pass - Molas Pass - Siverton -Red Mountain Pass - finish in Ouray.
Route Information
Winding for 70 miles through the San Juan Forests, the Durango to Ouray route takes the high road through some wild Colorado country. The route travels among towering San Juan fourteeners (14,000 foot peaks) and high-country forests of spruce and fir. The route breaks 10,000 feet a number of times during its journey, starting with Coal Bank Pass (10,630 feet) and Molas (10,880 feet) on the way to Silverton. You then continue on to the highway's highest point, Red Mountain Pass (11,075 feet) witnessing spectacular views of the jagged San Juans along the way. The famous Million Dollar Highway section of the Skyway, a 20-mile stretch from Silverton to Ouray, curves through the iron-rich Red Mountains, along the sheer sides of the Uncompahgre Gorge, through tunnels, and above cascading waterfalls. The Million Dollar Highway got its name from being paved with low grade gold ore in the road bed. Near the alpine village of Ouray you'll find Box Canyon Falls, a 285-foot cascade which plummets down over dark limestone into a deep canyon. After your ride, imagine soaking yourself in nearby hot springs pools.
The "Iron Horse Classic":
The "Iron Horse" route originates from the sibling rivalry of two brothers, Tom and Jim Mayer. The older brother Jim worked as an engineer on the steam locomotive that ran between Durango and Silverton. Tom, the younger of the two, and a cycling nutcase challenged his older brother to a race to Silverton and the first race was born. The train takes a shorter, lower and easier route as it winds its way toward Silverton. However, because of the train's limited speed, a cyclist of reasonable condition can beat the train with time to spare. Beginning in 1972, a small group of riders reinstated the challenge which has since been running for over 30 years. The modern version of the race sees professional racers, amateur racers and citizen "tours" tackle the race route each year in late May. Participants come from every state and many foreign countries to ride the famed Iron Horse course. Each year hundreds of riders will feel the thrill of descending into Silverton, and looking to see if the train is there yet. Average racing times hover in the 2:20 minute range, with the fastest riders coming in at 2:05 and the slower "tourists" finishing in 6 or 7 hours. If you want rugged outdoor scenery then this epic ride is for you! The route starts with a nice flat warm up & then takes in three steady climbs, which makes this a ride suitable for everyone.
Data
The DV video footage used in this ride was filmed during July 2004. The footage utilizes a special mount that enables the camera to lean into the corners that gives life to the video & keeps that vital rider perspective so the grades look as steep as in real life