The Stage 6 route circles North Table Mountain.

Steamboat Springs is the only city fortunate enough to host both a race start and finish during the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge (USAPCC) which makes this a prime location to watch the race. Racers will start the big climb up to Rabbit Ears Pass within the first 5 miles of Stage 5 and from there it’s a long, fast descent to the first sprint line of the day in Kremmling. There’s another sprint line in Dillon and a KOM line at Swan Mountain before the race finishes in downtown Breckenridge. Total distance: 105 miles.

Stage 6 is the final stage of the USAPCC and it starts in Golden just west of Denver. Racers will ride a figure-8 circuit north and south of Golden before heading west toward downtown Denver for the finish. With a Sunday finish in the largest city in Colorado, I’m sure this stage will see the largest crowds of the race. Even though Golden is just 12 miles from Denver as the crow flies, this stage manages to stretch 72+ miles with just over 3,000 feet of climbing.

Mountain Biking

Breckenridge is a mountain biking town, though despite operating a summer lift many riders choose to ride both down and uphill. The area hosts well known summer races like the Breck Epic and Firecracker 50 and mountain bikers can access hundreds of miles of backcountry trails nearby. The Colorado Trail passes close to town and one popular mountain biking route takes riders along the trail from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge.

Over on the Front Range side, the Stage 6 course will literally circle North Table Mountain, a relatively new trail system I rode last summer. While these trails may not be the most interesting you’ll find along the Front Range, the exposed mesa should give mountain bikers a great view of the race from multiple angle. The stage route also encircles Apex Park, another popular mountain biking spot, and nearly touches Matthews Winters and Green Mountain.

Fun Facts

I forgot to mention this in the Stage 4 preview – Steamboat Springs is home to bike brand Moots, makers of high end, hand-built titanium frames. The Stage 6 start city, Golden, is HQ for both Spot and Maverick brand bikes. In fact, the Stage 6 route takes riders within sight of the companies’ offices.

We’ve set up a forum on singletracks for mountain bikers who’d like to meet up to watch the race next week so drop in and let us know your plans!

A few interesting stories from around the MTB world:

Missy Giove charged with marijuana distribution. Badass downhiller racer, 14-time NORBA champion, and 11 time World Cup winner Missy Giove was busted this week for driving a truck full of 400 pounds of Mary Jane in upstate New York. Missy faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if convicted.

I have to admit I wasn’t too familiar with Missy Giove and her accomplishments but the article I read mentioned some interesting tidbits like the fact that she usually biked with a dead piranha around her neck. I’m thinking someone could make a movie about this woman’s life that could appeal to groups beyond the MTB world…

Rains close trails in Telluride, CO. Apparently it’s not just Florida and east coast mountain bikers that are getting rained out this year – even in dry Colorado the Forest Service was forced to close popular trails due to the rain. A few trails, like the Village Trail, Coonskin Loop, and Ridge Trail have reopened while others, like See Forever Trail and Basin Trail are still closed due to conditions.

Peaks Trail in Breckenridge, CO. Photo by utedude.

Breckenridge, CO hosts first annual Bike Week. Okay, judging by the dates (July 4 – 12) it’s a little longer than a week but the idea is to highlight the amazing MTB trails in and around the popular ski town. Officials claim there are more than 1,000 miles of interconnected backcountry trails in Summit County and they’ve even marked out five 20-30 mile bike loops you can “self-tour.” There will be lectures, movies, and demos happening all week plus the Breck Epic MTB stage race will be taking place July 5-10. Anyone have a place where I can crash in Breck next month?

Babes in the Backcountry is hosting a womens only mountain biking weekend in Breckenridge this summer and it includes some unique activities beyond mountain biking like yoga and spa treatments. Sorry, no men allowed BUT it could be a good way to trick (err, introduce) your wife or girlfriend into mountain biking. Price is a bit steep for a weekend (500 bones not including lodging or bike rentals) but may be a good option for some. Press release with more details is quoted below.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.— An action packed weekend full of volunteer trail maintenance, good fun, and spirited riding partners is being offered to women mountain bikers July 31 – August 2, 2009 in Breckenridge, Colorado. The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway, hosted by Babes in the Backcountry, offers trail building, skills and bike maintenance clinics, instructional guided daily tours, training, yoga, nutrition and a little pampering at the end of the day. The women’s mountain bike weekend is geared toward amateurs wanting to get a taste of the sport to advanced fat-tire enthusiasts looking for a challenge with fellow lady riders.

The town of Breckenridge is continually expanding and improving its recreational territory, opening up miles of dirt roads and trails to mountain bikers and hikers, connecting the mountain town with seemingly endless Rocky Mountain wilderness. Breckenridge and the surrounding area have been praised as an up-and-coming fat-tire destination. For more information on Breckenridge, visit gobreck.com or call 877-593-5260.

The Breckenridge Bike Babes Mountain Bike Getaway includes an optional day of trail building and conservation, an evening bike maintenance class, two days of skills and guided rides, two morning yoga sessions, two organic lunches, Saturday night dinner and wine tasting, a spa treatment and a Babes in the Backcountry gift bag. The cost of the trip is $500, and lodging and bike rentals are not included. To register or for more information, visit babesinthebackcountry.com.

Various other bike clinics are offered by Colorado Bike and Ski Tours throughout the summer in Breckenridge as well.