Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic- September 1, 2013

Come for the ride of your life with mountain bike legend Dave Wiens. Leave wondering how you can wait another year to try it again. Dave has a great legacy in the racing world. But more importantly, to us, is his integrity and selfless attitude. He spends countless hours making riding a bicycle in

For more information on the ride download a Rider Guide below.
Rider_Guide
Gunnison and in Colorado safer and more enjoyable. Thanks Dave!

The Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic, WEBC, was started the summer of 2012 as a fundraiser for the Western State Colorado University Mountain Sports by Dave who is the director. The Mountain sports team encompasses all the great mountain sports available at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison CO such as Cycling, Free-ride Skiing, Skier-cross, Boarder-cross and Nordic Skiing.

The Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic is a demanding 134 mile (with 100mi option) gran fondo or timed tour climbing 9,300ft (209 km, 2700m) from Gunnison to Crested Butte, CO circumnavigating the West Elk Mountains held Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The crux of the ride is a 25 mile 5400' climb over the dirt Kebler pass to Crested Butte starting at the 100 mile mark. The top of Kebler is where your time will stop for this timed event. You then will coast neutrally down to Crested Butte for the official finish and party (Donita's Cantina lunch, New Belgium beer, Third Bowl ice cream and raffle).

The roads around Gunnison and Crested Butte have been home to many races in the past. Much of our route was used in road racing in the 1970s and 80s and more recently with the US Pro Challenge stage race. We feel that our route rivals all other bicycle events in scenery, difficulty, quiet roads, and awesomeness. Check out some pictures and the course here! It also has no left turns or stop lights and only two stop signs!

Is this a race or tour? The answer is yes. In the gran fondo style, you will leave in a mass start from Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado with cyclists ranging from professional racers to recreational cyclists. You can sign up individually or bring your friends and ride as a team. Racing or seeing how fast you can go is a great way to challenge yourself. Of course just riding as a tour and trying to finish is a challenge. It's your option. Do you want to race others on a demanding course? Do you want to just tour and try to finish a demanding course? Or you can start racing and then just try to finish. We are open to all abilities, however you

should train hard-it is not easy.

We offer two distances, 100 or 134mi. The 100 mi option will start in Gunnison with the 134mi options. We think you can do the whole thing. We really do. So we want you to ride 100 miles. You have been training hard all year and if you are feeling like you want to push yourself just a bit more you can keep going. If you can't go anymore we will have a van ride to Crested Butte available at the start of the dirt on Kebler pass. The start is at 7:00am at Western State Colorado University Campus Sunday morning (See the Course Page for location). 

There will be a police escort out of town and a neutral support car for the lead pack. We have six aid stations with GU products and other goodies and several SAG vehicles to ensure that you are well fed, hydrated and make the ride enjoyable if you need a little help on your way to Crested Butte, Colorado. However, the course is on remote mountain roads at high altitudes. Be PREPARED. It may rain or become very cold quickly. You should be prepared to survive if you get stuck in the rain and we can not get to you quickly.

What happens if I need help or get hurt? We will have Event Medical Solutions Unlimited on hand to get you fixed up or if you need picked up. You are in a remote setting so your safety is a high priority.

For more info, visit http://www.westelkbicycleclassic.com/

Come visit us at Great Crested Butte Lodging!