Weather on passes turns riders back
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. Highway 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
Steve Lewis/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour move with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald.
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour rider gets in the spirit as he is passed by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. Highway 550 north Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. Highway 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
Steve Lewis/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour move with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald.
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour rider gets in the spirit as he is passed by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. Highway 550 north Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour race the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Cow bells and whistles greeted Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour riders along U.S. 550 North in Hermosa Saturday morning during the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour throws a fist in the air as he is passed by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour take the turn from Camino Del Rio onto North Main Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race begins in Durango.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
Just in time. Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour barely get across the railroad crossing in Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday ahead of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour follows the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour head towards Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday beside of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
With snow and hail on the ground, Doug Leggett of Gallup, N.M., pulls into the plaza area of Purgatory after finishing the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Snow and hail slowed the after-race party at Purgatory as weather forced some riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Through snow and hail, a rider in this year’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic turns into Purgatory on Saturday as weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
With snow and hail on the ground, 8-year-old Eli Holden of Durango holds the bike of his sister Mia Holden after she finished her Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride at Purgatory on Saturday. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
SHAUN STANLEY/Durango Herald<br>
Riders where awarded medals after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
A note to others who were riding in the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders looks for their bags after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride past the historic San Juan County Courthouse in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Snow flurries appeared during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Steve Alschuler, left, and Grant Kier, try to warm up after riding in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Bella LeSkosek, holds Charlotte, as Harlow and Bebe all stay warm under blankets as they cheer on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday. She was there with her mother Charmaine cheering on her father Peter.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Malia Durbano cheers on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour race the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Cow bells and whistles greeted Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour riders along U.S. 550 North in Hermosa Saturday morning during the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour throws a fist in the air as he is passed by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour take the turn from Camino Del Rio onto North Main Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race begins in Durango.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
Just in time. Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour barely get across the railroad crossing in Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday ahead of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour follows the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour head towards Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday beside of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
With snow and hail on the ground, Doug Leggett of Gallup, N.M., pulls into the plaza area of Purgatory after finishing the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Snow and hail slowed the after-race party at Purgatory as weather forced some riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Through snow and hail, a rider in this year’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic turns into Purgatory on Saturday as weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
With snow and hail on the ground, 8-year-old Eli Holden of Durango holds the bike of his sister Mia Holden after she finished her Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride at Purgatory on Saturday. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
SHAUN STANLEY/Durango Herald<br>
Riders where awarded medals after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
A note to others who were riding in the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders looks for their bags after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride past the historic San Juan County Courthouse in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Snow flurries appeared during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Steve Alschuler, left, and Grant Kier, try to warm up after riding in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Bella LeSkosek, holds Charlotte, as Harlow and Bebe all stay warm under blankets as they cheer on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday. She was there with her mother Charmaine cheering on her father Peter.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Malia Durbano cheers on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. Highway 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
Steve Lewis/Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour move with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour along Camino del Rio on Saturday morning.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald.
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Citizen’s Tour rider gets in the spirit as he is passed by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. Highway 550 north Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour race the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Spectators photograph riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour along Camino Del Rio Saturday.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Cow bells and whistles greeted Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour riders along U.S. 550 North in Hermosa Saturday morning during the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour make their way up the Animas Valley along U.S. 550 Saturday morning under partly cloudy skies.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour throws a fist in the air as he is passed by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour take the turn from Camino Del Rio onto North Main Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race make their way to Silverton.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Coca-Cola Road Race begins in Durango.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald <br>
Just in time. Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour barely get across the railroad crossing in Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday ahead of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
A rider in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour follows the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad along U.S. 550 North Saturday morning in the race to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
Riders in this years Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Citizen’s Tour head towards Hermosa along U.S. 550 Saturday beside of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald <br>
With snow and hail on the ground, Doug Leggett of Gallup, N.M., pulls into the plaza area of Purgatory after finishing the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Snow and hail slowed the after-race party at Purgatory as weather forced some riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Through snow and hail, a rider in this year’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic turns into Purgatory on Saturday as weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
With snow and hail on the ground, 8-year-old Eli Holden of Durango holds the bike of his sister Mia Holden after she finished her Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride at Purgatory on Saturday. Weather forced those in the rear of the race to stop at Purgatory instead of continuing to Silverton.
Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald<br>
Law enforcement work at Purgatory on U.S. Highway 550 Saturday afternoon to turn away Iron Horse riders who have not made it past that point. Weather on the mountain passes and in Silverton prompted race organizers to shut down the race about 11:30 a.m.
SHAUN STANLEY/Durango Herald<br>
Riders where awarded medals after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
A note to others who were riding in the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders looks for their bags after crossing the Iron Horse finish line on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Fans cheer on racers during the Iron Horse race on Saturday in Silverton.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Riders in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic ride past the historic San Juan County Courthouse in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Snow flurries appeared during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Steve Alschuler, left, and Grant Kier, try to warm up after riding in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Bella LeSkosek, holds Charlotte, as Harlow and Bebe all stay warm under blankets as they cheer on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday. She was there with her mother Charmaine cheering on her father Peter.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Malia Durbano cheers on riders during the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton on Saturday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald <br>
Iron Horse organizers are turning riders back at Purgatory because of weather. Any rider who is not past the ski area right now will be stopped.
Organizers started to turn riders around at 11:30 a.m. Rain and snow, with snowy roads, are hitting the mountain passes hard.
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The event got off to a good start Saturday morning.
The weather was a potential factor, given the forecast for rain and snow on various parts of the course. Race Director Gaige Sippy said he made the decision about 4:30 a.m. Saturday to head for the hills.
With the wet weather so abundant recently, Sippy and race officials hired a meteorologist for this year’s race to help track the moisture.
