Significant road closures part of new bike race

Alpine Odyssey set for July 31

Organizers for the local Leadville 100 qualifier went before the Gunnison Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 19 to discuss road closures for the July 31 bike race that could see as many as 1,000 riders. Scheduled for the height of summer and tourist season, the Sunday race will impact travel and likely prohibit access to property across the north end of the Gunnison Valley. Dave Ochs, director of the Crested Butte qualifier, and Dave Wiens, technical director for all three Leadville qualifying races, outlined the course and road closures for the commissioners.

“When these guys came to talk to me about the race, I felt that because there are significant road closures in the middle of summer—July 31—this needs to be on the board’s agenda,” said assistant county manager Marlene Crosby. “It’s probably best done as two agenda items, because hopefully it will be in the paper and people who have concerns will have time to comment.”
Road closures are anticipated on four county roads throughout the proposed course, which will begin with a neutral start in Mt. Crested Butte. Racers will follow a police escort down Gothic Road into Crested Butte and up Elk Avenue until they reach the dirt at Old Kebler Road. From there, the race officially begins. Racers will follow Kebler until the Y, cutting off on the west side of the wagon trail until it hits Kebler again, coming up the other side of Kebler Pass to reach the Y once more and then hit the east side of the wagon trail toward the mine road.
From the top of Gunsight Pass, racers will head down to Slate River Road, up Paradise Divide, over Schofield Pass and down Gothic Road back to Mt. Crested Butte, where the race will finish on CBMR single tracks Meander and Columbine.
According to Ochs, “All of this is still pending permits from the Forest Service, approvals from the BLM, and we still need to go to the towns.”
Gothic Road between Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte will be closed until racers head up Elk. Kebler will likely be closed from the race’s start from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.
“After Gunsight, it’s gonna blow up,” Ochs said. “Gunsight’s gonna be a gnarly ride so we’ll need more time for riders to be more spread out.”
To accommodate that need, Slate River Road will be closed between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and Gothic Road north of Mt. Crested Butte will be closed between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. During those times, only emergency vehicles and a proposed shuttle service will be allowed to use the roads.
“We don’t want to inconvenience anybody,” Ochs said. Race organizers have worked with the town of Mt. Crested Butte to provide shuttle access to Gothic and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) throughout race day.
Educating the public about transportation options and notifying property owners who might not be able to access their lands is a top priority for race organizers and the commissioners.
“I received an offhand comment from a property rancher who said it would have been nice to be asked or notified,” said county commissioner Hap Channell. “This was at a separate meeting. I was in the audience and he looked right at me and said, ‘Nobody asked me, Hap.’ Obviously some feathers were ruffled. People like to be included, like to be at least notified. If they’re at ground zero or [the race goes] right through their property or is adjacent to it, an effort to notify or ask is appropriate.”
Ochs and Wiens agreed, indicating that part of their talks with the Forest Service have included the recommendation to work directly with property owners whose lands are directly crossed by the racecourse.
“I’ll be glad to do that,” Ochs said. “I’ll personally send letters.”
But Crosby cautioned that the number of people who need to be notified may warrant a broader advertising effort, sparking conversation about using a variety of communication methods, including full-page ads in the local papers, roadside signs and directly contacting individuals significantly affected by the closures.
“Have you contacted Bill Trampe? You need to,” commissioner Paula Swenson said. “I don’t know what his schedule is with his cattle up in that valley, but it will be hugely impactful to him.”
“There are some people who are more major players than others, and I think we owe them the courtesy,” Channell added.
“[Trampe] is more than just a property owner—he runs a business up there. He has federal permits, so it’s a little different than someone who owns a summer cabin,” Swenson said.
“And while you’re at it,” Channell suggested, “it might be a good idea to ask him if there are others you should contact.”
Ochs agreed, stating that he had worked with Trampe on previous bike races and would be happy to do so. Throughout the meeting, he and Wiens also shared a range of ideas to ease the impact of road closures, including rerouting Slate River Road users up Washington Gulch and having a sweep follow the race, allowing each section to be opened as soon as it is cleared of racers. They emphasized that they remain committed to developing strong communication plans.
Even as the Leadville 100 qualifier comes with logistical puzzles, it also brings valuable tourism to the area. Organizers hope that it will become a three-year commitment, attracting a wide range of bicycling enthusiasts who will bring valuable business to local hotels and restaurants.
“These are the weekend warriors… They’re there to be part of something epic and difficult,” Ochs said, suggesting that they bring valuable business to local hotels and restaurants. “They’re not hippies sleeping on somebody’s couch.”
The commissioners requested that organizers return before the board on May 3 with confirmation of the contacts made, where signage will be placed and an advertising plan. Supportive and excited about the race, they emphasized that their role is to make sure the public can weigh in on race planning.
“This body is very concerned about the public having their input, advertising being out there, plenty of warnings with signs,” Channell said.
For race information and a map of the proposed course, go to www.leadvillequalifiers.com/crestedbutte.