Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

The Iron Horse started a few decades ago when a couple friends thought it would be fun to race the train from Durango to Silverton over two mountain passes (topping out at 10,910 feet) and 50 miles of road. It's now a big event that draws thousands of people from all over the country. Only the "citizen" class actually races the train now, and the competitive categories get to Silverton in under three hours.The Pro/1/2 field started with about 60 riders. We cruised out of town and hit some gentle rollers, going easy. A breakaway formed but didn't seem too threatening given the massive climbs that lay ahead.About 15 miles in we pedalled a little harder, then got to the full road closure in the mountains. Now the race began in earnest, and folks started popping out the back every few miles. The fans were awesome, with a blue superchicken (turned out to be a "skyhawk", the local mascot, but my brain was firing on about 3 cylinders with the minimal oxygen content and it sure looked like a chicken), a red devil, lots of volunteers handing out tasty looking snacks that we couldn't stop to enjoy, and massive alpine backdrops with cold fog, snowy peaks, and waterfalls everywhere. (I noticed all this on the car ride back, since during the race I was basically whited out trying to haul my sea-level body over these 11,000-foot tall mountains).(The shrinking group heads up the Coal Bank Climb)

My end came shortly before Coal Bank Pass, the first of two big summits. I couldn't respond to the incessant attacks and got gapped about a km from the top. I shot down the other side, almost caught the dwindling group, but struggled up Molas Pass on my own, reeling in a few stragglers. One of these stragglers attached himself to my wheel for the rest of the race...(Over Molas Pass with Ishay on my wheel. Photo by Barak Naggan www.naggan.com)

Over the top of Molas (the second summit) I had Rotem Ishay of Durango with me and we dropped down to the Silverton finish in tandem. Approaching the line, I could see one guy ahead that I thought I could catch. I drilled it, knowing that Rotem was riding me but also knowing if I caught the other guy worst case scenario I'd pick up one place and lose another. With about 500 meters to go I caught and passed him (turned out to be the great Ned Overend!), and then Rotem nabbed me in the sprint.(Coming around Overend 500 meters to go. photo by Barak Naggan www.naggan.com)

I ended up 14th in the Road Race, with Colavita's Anthony Colby in 1st, Alex Hagman (ciclismo racing) in 2nd, and Phil Zajicek (Fly V) in 3rd.

Day 2 was the downtown crit. We had a pretty small field but huge crowds cheering us on. It was a beautiful day for a bike race. Early on four guys went up the road, and I wanted in on the breakaway. Unfortunately my legs wouldn't do what my mind was telling them to... I drilled it for two laps, stringing it out pretty good, then tucked in to recover and couldn't ever get going again. I basically melted down half way through the race and ended up being pulled by the moto ref before I got lapped. Not a very glamorous exit, but at least I didn't leave anything out on the course!

Day 3 was the Time Trial. Super nice course starting on the edge of town at a killer bakery called "Bread" (if you're in Durango, go there. I promise you'll like it). 13 miles of gentle rollers culminating with a 1.2 mile climb. To be honest, I was paying for the three weeks of stage racing leading up to the Iron horse, and I felt about 80%. I poured myself into it but just couldn't get the legs going like they should. Took 16th place. Here's me coming up the finish stretch:
(Last 200 meters of the TT. Photo by Barak Naggan www.naggan.com)

All in all, an amazing event. Happy to have been a part of such a vibrant cycling community and I'd recommend checking this race out if you have a chance.