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Two mountain passes in way of Iron Horse Classic cyclists

Thousands tackle iconic ride from Durango to Silverton

The steep slopes of Coal Bank Pass lingered over the minds of most cyclists at the startling line of the 2016 Iron Horse Classic in Durango.

“It just seems a lot steeper, and I’m pretty tired by the time I get there,” said Marvin Sondag, 66, of Phoenix.

Sondag, like many cyclists Saturday, was starting his third attempt at the Iron Horse Classic, which brings hundreds of riders 45 miles, over two mountain passes, into the small mountain town of Silverton.

The goal: Get there before the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

According to legend, the challenge started when Tom Mayer, an avid cyclist, challenged his brother, Jim Mayer, a brakeman for the railroad, to a race. It took many attempts, but Tom eventually beat the locomotive to Silverton.

Since 1972, cyclists from all over the world try to do the same. The train, built in 11 months in 1881, takes about three-and a half hours to make the trek north. For bikers, that means making the 45-mile traverse over rugged mountain terrain at a rate of about 12 miles an hour.

Sondag, who was caught in a snowstorm when he tried to take the challenge two years ago, was at least grateful the weather held up this year.

“I ride pretty much four or five times a week on South Mountain in Phoenix,” Sondag said of his training, which lacks the obstacle of elevation. “Once I start riding, I’ll have a hard time breathing.”

His wife, Donna Schoberg, said she follows a strict routine of having breakfast, shopping and relaxing as she waits for her husband to return from the laborious feat.

“I’m not going up to Silverton, but I’m always here to support him,” she said.

Ian Stewart was waiting near the starting line just before the 8 a.m. start time, anticipating his sixth attempt to finally take down the steam engine, filled with military veterans in honor of Memorial Day weekend.

“I think one year I was about 15 minutes off,” Stewart said. “But I’m definitely going to be slower this year because I haven’t been training as much. But just making it is good enough for me, really.”

Stewart had his eyes on the prize: a cold beer at Avalanche Brewing Co. in Silverton.

His father, Rich, a Durango resident, was trying to outrun the train for the fourth time.

“Maybe today’s the day,” he said.

Jackson Magyar, a Farmington resident going for his first Iron Horse ride, wondered if there would be enough time to stop at Purgatory to get a “Jagerbomb” and still beat the D&SNGR, he said in reference to the Jaegermeister liquor.

“I mean, you have to rest at some point,” he said.

For Sedalia resident Patrick Drummond, the grueling Iron Horse Classic was just training for this year’s Run of the Rockies race, which covers 450 miles in six days, traversing 30,000 vertical feet from Aspen to Fort Collins.

“I’ve been riding a lot,” he said. “I’ll see you in Silverton.”

Morgan Gavin, a 21-year-old Durango resident, said he’s made the trip from Durango to Silverton and back before, but that was “just for fun.” This year’s 45th annual Iron Horse Classic was his first official go at the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to Molas Pass,” he said. “I mean, cyclicing is kind of masochistic sport isnt it? You have to kind of look forward to the pain or you’re doing it wrong.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com



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