The 51st annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic scheduled for Memorial Day weekend is scaled back compared to previous years. But with classic rides and races at the forefront, the upcoming celebration could be considered a return to the IHBC’s roots.
The Tailwind Ouray to Silverton Race and Tour won’t be featured this year. The bike parade is also missing from the 2023 schedule, as are the Roostmaster Mountain Bike and Tailwind Dual Slalom races that took place last year.
Ian Burnett, IHBC director, said he wants to increase the level of rider experience through classic events such as the Coca-Cola Race Tour and the McDonalds Citizen Tour – the most popular event in the lineup – and gravel and mountain bike races.
One event making a return is the Short Track MTB Racing at Chapman Hill in Durango at 5 and 5:30 p.m. May 26, he said. In Silverton, a beer garden and vendors will be set up for Memorial Day weekend festivities, including a possible flyover by Flight for Life – something the planning team is still working to secure.
“We wanted to bring back a community event that people can come out and watch,” he said. “They don’t have to be a bike racer, they can watch and enjoy a gathering with some food and drinks and company.”
He said he wants to get through his second year as director of the IHBC and focus on the rides and events that are tried and true before trying a return to more creative events next year. And some special events were in the works for this year, but “they didn’t quite work out.”
“Hopefully next year, especially as the bike park comes on board a little bit at the Mesa (Durango Mesa Park), we’ll have some more freedom,” he said.
He said the priority this year is to provide a safe, fun experience for riders and for the community without negative tourism impact.
“A lot of people don’t know the history,” he said. “The Iron Horse started because they wanted to kick off summer before it was a tourist town, when it was a mining town. So that is why it started and why we do it, to kick off summer.”
Some of the changes to events this year were geared at reducing the needs of law enforcement and alleviating safety concerns around town and on the U.S. Highway 550 north route that links Durango and Silverton.
This year, transportation will be provided for riders seeking a return trip from Silverton to Durango. He said having transportation – Durango School District 9-R buses and semis – will increase safety for riders. Bike pick-up will also be held at the Durango Transit Center.
“I think (we’ll) get through a year and then see what crazy new things we can change up next year,” he said.
Burnett said he is most looking forward to the road races from Durango to Silverton. He hopes the weather remains fair.
“After a long winter, it’s always touch and go with what the weather will do,” he said. “So hopefully the weather is good and we can just have a beautiful day in the snow, but not necessarily (as it’s snowing),” he said. “There will be plenty of snow and all that stuff going on throughout the passes. Hopefully no mudslides or those wild things that are a new reality of the snow.”
He said Saturday’s race to Silverton is always a fun experience. A certain energy can be felt around town with cyclists all over.
The IHBC closed registration early last year because it sold out. The IHBC planning group projected it had a $4.5 million economic impact across the community, he said.
This year, with registration open until the night before events begin and a budget of about $300,000, IHBC planners hope to spend as much on local services as possible to have another successful year.
If turnout is anything like last year for the 50th anniversary, the economic impact could more than double estimates made by Fort Lewis College in the early 2000’s, that pegged total impact somewhere between $1 million to $2 million.
Fort Lewis College did a study in the early 2000s that calculated the IHBC generated $1.5 million for the local economy with an average number of participants around 2,400.
“We are lucky enough to have the support of Visit Durango,” he said. “They’re a big supporter of our (work). ... We’re trying to work with them and have a positive impact on tourism in town.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
