2013 USA Pro Challenge Route Features American Professional Cycling’s Highest Elevation

USA Pro Challenge ^ | 8/18/13 | Baynative

[Baynative]

DENVER (April 25, 2013) – The route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge professional cycling stage race, taking place Aug. 19-25 in Colorado, will take riders on a heart-pounding journey through the breathtaking Colorado Rockies. The largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge continues to set records in professional cycling history by taking the riders to unprecedented elevations. In 2012, with a lead change nearly every day, one of the closest professional races in U.S. history came down to the final moments of the Individual Time Trial in Denver, and this year’s route promises to bring just as much drama.

[laconic]

Is this being televised anywhere? FOx Sports has taken over the Comcast NBC Sports channel and have already eliminated Speed and Formula One racing.

[deport]

http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/news/nbc-sports-group-present-23-hours-2013-usa-pro-challenge

[cookcounty]

This year’s tour is entirely within the North Central section of Colorado only, which means we won’t be going this year....I wish they would do the whole state.

[Baynative]

It might be that where the roads are not so hilly, the race moves fast and people don't turn out because American audiences don't understand the sport.

I was surprised at the crowds that turned out for the finish in Denver last year. Usually American cities see bike races as more of a nuisance than and event. I think that comes from the fact that promoters can't control a 'gate' to make revenue from ticket sales and things get so spread out the profits to vendors my not be significant.

It's all very different in Europe where cycling is equivalent to basketball is here in the inner cities.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the USA Pro Challenge ping, FRiend! I almost forgot it was on. Caught some of the coverage yesterday... nice to hear Phil and Paul again.

Yep, no surprise... Peter Sagan wins the first stage. ;-)

[Baynative]

The USAProChallenge was in response to a request by Ms. AntiFeminazi. I’m a bit busy right now, but its only a ewek so I’m doing what I can.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

I’m halfway through Stage 1 (yeah, I’m way behind) but I have say the Deviled Egg is very clever!

My parents are visiting friends in Vail this week. I hope my dad gets to be a spectator and sees some of the colorful sillyness. Mom too, but Dad’s the athlete. If you see an old guy trying to cross the road in front of a downhill peleton, that could be my dad. Lol

[Baynative]

I’m watching to see him running beside the leaders on the 18% climb coming later in the week.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

Lol, me too!

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

BMC Racing and Switzwerland's Frank Mathias takes Stage2 (but not by much)
Things are heating up.

GREAT CROWDS - good show folks!

Factoid: The USAProChallenge just got extra points from me by hooking sponsorship from my favorite brewery. Yeah - FAT TIRE! (I don't like riding 'em much, but I enjoy sucking a couple down now and then)

BTW- Team BMC has a young (and local) rider by the name of Taylor Phinney ...anyone recognize that name? I'd sure like to see him winn a stage in front of friends and family.

[Yogafist]

A friend of mine is riding the photo 6 motorcycle. He got me the opportunity to ride my motorcycle in the tour of California time trials last year. I rode ahead of a couple, including Danielson. He was amazingly fast. An unbelievable experience.

[real saxophonist]

Thanks for the pings. Gonna try to make it over to Windsor Saturday. Don’t know if I want to deal with the crowds.

[PGalt]

Yeah - FAT TIRE! (I don't like riding 'em much, but I enjoy sucking a couple down now and then)

Forget bikes (for the moment)...let's talk beer. Yeah, FAT TIRE is good...but...

Have you had Pliny the Elder? Hopslam? Oracle (just had one a couple of hours ago)?

[Baynative]

Whenever I sit down with the guys to have a beer and I mention Fat Tire someone tells me of the one they know that better. For me, they are almost always wrong. Even withing the New Belgium menu, I see no rival.

[PGalt]

Limited...already shut down after a very short run...(I was in the brewery yesterday and they didn’t have a case to buy...only on tap)...

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/52361

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/17112

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/7971

Fat Tire is in my Top Ten (that I’ve had)...but...the 3 above are better IMHO. Enjoy.

[Eric Roelfsema]

Yes, I recognize the last name. Taylor’s father Davis rode multiple years in the Tour de France with the 7-Eleven team among others.

I also have a distant relative that has ridden the TdF, but is long retired. I will not mention his name here.

[Baynative]

I got introduced to a local brewery brand called scotch. I'm impressed.

[Baynative]

Bingo! Former pro Davis Phinney and his wife Olympic road race gold medalist Connie Carpenter live right there in Boulder where Davis runs a foundation dedicated to fighting and treating Parkinson’s Disease. Son, Taylor has already competed in two Olympics at his young age.

[nutmeg]

The USAProChallenge was in response to a request by Ms. AntiFeminazi. I’m a bit busy right now, but its only a ewek so I’m doing what I can.

I appreciate your efforts! Great thread... :-)

Thanks for the update on yesterday's stage. I meant to watch, but got sidelined by other things. Came home in time to see the very end of the stage... I didn't recognize the stage winner.

[Baynative]

"I didn't recognize the stage winner."

Many of the names we recognize from the tour are taking a well deserved rest. A lot of them 'train up' all season so they peak for the tour and they are simply not able to perform at 100% within just three weeks. I give great credit to guys like Peter Sagan, Cadel Evans, Chris Froome, Andy Schleck and old timers Jen Voight and Andreas Kloden who really didn't need to take the torture of these mountains for a less than prestigious title, but do it to promote the sport and boost interest in American cycling.