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Festival, time trial to greet Haute Route Rockies road bikers Monday in Avon

The Mavic Haute Route Rockies starts in Boulder on June 24 and finishes in Colorado Springs on June 30. It will be the first U.S. edition of what has been called the world’s highest, toughest and most prestigious amateur cycling challenge.
OC Sport | Special to the Daily |

HAUTE ROUTE ROCKIES

Festivities in Nottingham Park

Monday, June 26

5 to 8 p.m. — Park festivities with live music

7 p.m. — Austin Bike Zoo animals parade in the park

5 to 6:45 p.m. — Bike rodeo and safety with a cop

Tuesday, June 27

5 to 8 p.m. — Park festivities with live music

Local road biker Cristhian Ravelo previewed the time trial course of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies, which hits Avon next week.

“It’s probably one of the toughest climbs in the valley, so anyone who is going to come out and do it, my respects,” he said.

That climb will represent stage 4 of the Haute Route Rockies, the first-ever U.S. edition of what promoters are calling the world’s highest, toughest and most prestigious amateur cycling challenge.



The Mavic Haute Route Rockies starts in Boulder on June 24 and finishes in Colorado Springs on June 30. It consists of seven timed and ranked stages over 550 miles and 52,000 feet of climbing and riders will be supported throughout by professional race support both on and off the bike.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the cities that have been chosen for the premier edition of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies.”Chad MooreMavic brand mangaer

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Avon will welcome riders June 26 as they finish a 95-mile ride from Winter Park, winding from Wolcott east through Edwards and Avon, finishing in Harry A. Nottingham Park. The park will be abuzz with festivities, live music, vendor village, and food and drink available for purchase.

On Tuesday, June 27, the Individual Time Trial will begin, with athletes leaving the park starting area in timed intervals beginning at 9:30 a.m. The community is invited to cheer them on as they ride out to Traer Creek Plaza and back onto Swift Gulch Road. After a rolling first four miles, riders will turn onto Buck Creek Road and climb up to Mountain Star before heading west to the finish at the top of Wildridge. Riders may take their time descending back to Nottingham Park to join the Avon community with live music, vendors and activities.

On Wednesday, June 26, spectators may rise early and cheer on the cyclists as they leave Avon for a 102 mile journey over Battle Mountain, Tennessee, and Independence passes to Snowmass Village.

Festival atmosphere

A festival atmosphere will greet the riders in Avon and will be free for all to enjoy. The park is expected to be abuzz from 5 to 8 p.m., with festivities, live music, vendor village, and food and drink available for purchase.

The acclaimed Austin Bike Zoo will begin to construct zoo animals, which are larger than life creatures, assembled on bicycles. The ever-growing menagerie of giant, playful, interactive, hand-build creatures include an 80-foot rattlesnake, a flurry of giant butterflies, a fanciful owl, majestic bald eagle and a bicycle carousel that can carry a dozen people at once. The zoo animals lead a parade on the Nottingham Park paths beginning at 7 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the impromptu parade.

A Bike Rodeo and Safety with a Cop, sponsored by Sun & Ski and the Avon Police Department, will be featured for children of all ages, from 5 to 6:45 p.m.

Live music will take place on the Performance Pavilion with Rewind Colorado performing.

Food by Marc will be providing wine and beer as well as delicious food options.

The fun will continue in Nottingham Park on Tuesday following the time trial from 5 to 8 pm., with First Chair performing at the Pavilion, Food by Marc providing wine and beer and more food.

Conceived in the Alps

Conceived in the Alps in 2011, each Haute Route event consists of seven back-to-back stages including an Individual Time Trial. Designed for amateur cyclists, each day is timed and ranked, with a running cumulative time just as in professional stage races.

Chad Moore, brand manager for title sponsor Mavic, said the French company was delighted with the choice of venues.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the cities that have been chosen for the premier edition of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies,” he said. “Starting in Boulder, a mecca for cycling and finishing in Colorado Springs, one of the hubs for professional cycling you have an epic seven days of pristine Colorado riding through the best mountain towns. Winter Park, Avon, Snowmass Village and Crested Butte are all great examples of the best Colorado has to offer.”

Chandler Smith, the Mavic Haute Route Rockies Race Director, said the selection of venues promised a memorable challenge ahead.

“With stops at Winter Park, Avon, Snowmass Village and Crested Butte, I have no doubt that the inaugural Mavic Haute Route Rockies peloton will experience a true taste of Colorado and its vast terrain, including some iconic climbs and a handful of roads that are seldom travelled,” he said.

This story contains material from press releases issued by OC Sport and the Town of Avon


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