USAPCC Stages 5&6: Steamboat Springs, Breck, Golden, & Denver

The Stage 6 route circles North Table Mountain.

Steamboat Springs is the only city fortunate enough to host both a race start and finish during the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge (USAPCC) which makes this a prime location to watch the race. Racers will start the big climb up to Rabbit Ears Pass within the first 5 miles of Stage 5 and from there it’s a long, fast descent to the first sprint line of the day in Kremmling. There’s another sprint line in Dillon and a KOM line at Swan Mountain before the race finishes in downtown Breckenridge. Total distance: 105 miles.

Stage 6 is the final stage of the USAPCC and it starts in Golden just west of Denver. Racers will ride a figure-8 circuit north and south of Golden before heading west toward downtown Denver for the finish. With a Sunday finish in the largest city in Colorado, I’m sure this stage will see the largest crowds of the race. Even though Golden is just 12 miles from Denver as the crow flies, this stage manages to stretch 72+ miles with just over 3,000 feet of climbing.

Mountain Biking

Breckenridge is a mountain biking town, though despite operating a summer lift many riders choose to ride both down and uphill. The area hosts well known summer races like the Breck Epic and Firecracker 50 and mountain bikers can access hundreds of miles of backcountry trails nearby. The Colorado Trail passes close to town and one popular mountain biking route takes riders along the trail from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge.

Over on the Front Range side, the Stage 6 course will literally circle North Table Mountain, a relatively new trail system I rode last summer. While these trails may not be the most interesting you’ll find along the Front Range, the exposed mesa should give mountain bikers a great view of the race from multiple angle. The stage route also encircles Apex Park, another popular mountain biking spot, and nearly touches Matthews Winters and Green Mountain.

Fun Facts

I forgot to mention this in the Stage 4 preview – Steamboat Springs is home to bike brand Moots, makers of high end, hand-built titanium frames. The Stage 6 start city, Golden, is HQ for both Spot and Maverick brand bikes. In fact, the Stage 6 route takes riders within sight of the companies’ offices.

We’ve set up a forum on singletracks for mountain bikers who’d like to meet up to watch the race next week so drop in and let us know your plans!