The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
New qualifier racecourse in the works
It’s not often that mining and bicycling meet, but U.S. Energy recently threw organizers of the Leadville 100 qualifier for a bit of a loop. The planned racecourse heads out and back over Kebler Pass—and over property previously managed by Thompson Creek Metals. With that company’s recent departure from U.S. Energy’s proposed molybdenum mine, blessing for racers to bike on mine property on July 31 went with it.
“We are in limbo,” race director Dave Ochs said. “Perry [Anderson, director of community relations for the Mt. Emmons project] got back to us in the beginning and said ‘It’s on, I’d like to volunteer, let’s make this happen.’ Now it’s not up to him, it’s up to U.S. Energy.”
U.S. Energy has been less enthusiastic than Thompson Creek; while the company has given no official decision, race organizers are anticipating a no-go based on an initial conversation.
“On the part of the race, there’s the decision not to fight this fight. We had drafted a letter we were going to send requesting their support,” said organizer Aaron Huckstep. “But [considering a new course] actually makes things easier for us and makes things easier for the racers, too. We all acknowledge this has been on a short timeline anyway, so it’s better to pick your battles, and this one is better for us.”
Details for an alternate course that would forgo Kebler altogether are still in process as organizers work quickly to make changes but still allow for time to deal with the Forest Service and any affected land owners.
“We are working with the proper agencies, landowners, and those impacted by a new course, and we are hoping for feedback soon,” Ochs said.
Ochs and other race directors are hoping to have a final decision on the course by the end of the month. And indeed, the current hiccup doesn’t seem to be slowing organizers down or detracting from the excitement surrounding the July 31, Crested Butte race. Designed to open the 2011 Leadville 100 bike race to more racers, and stronger racers from across the country, the first of the Leadville Qualifying Series (LQS) races will be in Lake Placid, N.Y. on June 19. The second is scheduled for North Lake Tahoe, Calif. on July 10. According to Dave Wiens, technical director for all three Leadville 100 qualifiers, the Crested Butte qualifier is leading New York and Lake Tahoe qualifiers in registrations and any course adjustment is minor.
“I think there are quite a few people around that are happy about that story,” Wiens said of Thompson Creek’s departure. In comparison, “How it affects the race is an non-story.”
U.S. Energy did not respond to inquiries from Crested Butte News.
