The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“No support, no waiver,
no fee, no foolin”
Pull it together and saddle up for the eighth annual CB Classic group ride, the Eighth Wonder of the World, on Saturday, October 1.
The CB Classic is an incredible tour of some of the best singletrack in the north end of the Gunnison Valley, a 98-mile tour.
If you have been riding all summer, the CB Classic will give you a great idea of your fitness level.
If you haven’t been riding all summer, the CB Classic will give you a great idea of your psychological level.
Either way, it’s here and it is tough.
After a season of organizing bike races, Dave Ochs returns to the roots of biking putting together the CB Classic group ride.
There is one major change to this year’s course. In an effort to “hurt people more,” the order of the three loops has been reversed.
Loop one starts at the Four-way Stop at 6:30 a.m. and heads in neutral start formation up Elk Avenue and up Old Kebler Pass Road. The racing begins at Trappers Crossing turn-off as riders will head up through the Irwin Townsite, around the south end of the Lake Irwin and to the Dyke Trail.
Upon finishing the Dyke, riders head back up Kebler and take the Wagon Trail around the summit of Kebler Pass. Loop one finishes with the section of the Wagon Trail that parallels Kebler Pass Road and at the Brick Oven.
From there, riders will head out the Lower Loop, up the Slate D’huez to ride 403 and 401 exiting out Rustlers Gulch and returning to town and the Brick Oven.
Loop three will connect the Deli Trail, Stand Hill and Deer Creek and finish right back at the Brick Oven.
“It’s a group ride with gusto,” says Ochs.
Riders are welcome to re-supply and switch out gear each time they come through the Brick Oven, and Ochs recommends one thing for sure for most of the field.
“Be prepared for lap three with lights,” says Ochs.
There is no registration, no course marking, no nothing. It’s a group ride, not a race.
“No support, no waiver, no fee, no foolin,” says Ochs.
The Brick Oven boys will be throwing down hosting the group ride and Avery Brewing Company will be on hand pouring out tasty beverages to riders and fans of the CB Classic.
