by OnSight | Apr 2023 | BIkes
We love cycling, and were happy to lend a hand when it came to spreading the word on efforts to resurrect and re-imagine the long-dormant Boulder Valley Velodrome.
Media Contact:
Curtis Hubbard
curtis@onsightpa.com
(303) 908-2378
Erie, Colo. — The long-dormant Boulder Valley Velodrome will be resurrected under an ambitious plan announced Thursday to restore the 250-meter cycling track as a training ground for competitive cyclists and a hub for family-friendly community events.
The iconic, red-walled Velodrome has been closed to the public for more than three years. It is now under contract to be purchased by BVV Holdings LLC and will be operated by the Team Colorado Cycling nonprofit.
“The list of needed repairs is long and expensive, but we are passionate about meeting the demand that exists for a cycling track of this caliber and its potential as a hub for family-friendly activities like ride-in movies, concerts, festivals and food trucks,” said Todd Stevensonof Team Colorado Cycling. “Our first step is to tap into community support to help pay for needed repairs with the goal of re-opening full-time with weekly racing and other events starting early this summer.”
Crews are already working to repair and restore the plywood track and operators hope to have fresh coats of Sherwin-Williams-supplied paint applied in time for the track’s re-opening.
Hindered by the historic Boulder County floods of 2013, a tornado-level wind event in 2015, and then the COVID-19 outbreak, the velodrome on the outskirts of Erie has been shuttered and closed to the public since October 2019.
“Natural disasters and the pandemic delivered a one-two punch that made it next-to-impossible for this facility to meet its potential as a magnet for cyclists and a hub for community activity, but we think the time is right to resurrect this as a world-class cycling track, ” said Cari Higgins, a member of the group that has agreed to purchase the Velodrome from its original owners.
Higgins, a former national champion track cyclist and Chair of the USA Cycling Board of Directors, has led efforts to save the Velodrome for years.
“We are confident that the cycling community will rally to the cause and that this venue can once again host recreational and elite cyclists — whether they entertain Olympic dreams or simply feel the need for speed,” Higgins said.
The Velodrome, which opened in 2015, was the brainchild of former owners Doug Emerson (owner of University Bikes in Boulder) and Frank Banta. The pair first put it on the market in 2017, hoping to find buyers whose passion for cycling and vision would take the facility to the next level.
In October 2019, the Velodrome was under contract with buyers who planned to demolish it. Higgins and other cycling enthusiasts worked out a last-minute deal to purchase the property and save the track, but it later fell through as a result of the worldwide lockdown and financial pinch from the coronavirus pandemic.
With new owners on board, Team Colorado Cycling has launched a gofundme campaign with the aim of raising at least $75,000 to help pay for needed repairs and improvements. Among them: Stripping chipped and faded paint from the track surface; board-by-board repair and replacement; raising sections of concrete that have settled; and repainting the structure inside and out. Additional improvements include landscaping work and general cleanup; repairing and tuning the facility’s bike fleet; and opening a new rider lounge, as well as a stretching and workout area. Contributions tare tax deductible.
The Boulder Valley Velodrome is a landmark on the west side of County Line Road at the southern end of the planned Erie Town Center.
“The Erie Town Center is envisioned as nearly 400 acres combining mixed-use development with parks and open space, and the reactivation of the Boulder Valley Velodrome will help us meet the vision for creating a unique and thriving community center,” said Erie Town Administrator Malcolm Fleming.
The Boulder Valley Velodrome is one of four, international-standard 250-meter tracks in the U.S. And it is one of just two wood tracks of that length in the U.S. The other, in Carson, Calif., will host track cycling events in the 2028 L.A. Summer Olympics. As such, the facility has long held promise as a high-altitude training ground for current and future stars of the sport.
“The passion for cycling in Colorado is among the best in the country, if not the world,” said Makala Jaramillo, an emerging star from Colorado on the junior cycling circuit with Team USA and Sonic Boom Racing. “By restoring the Boulder Valley Velodrome we can bring new people to the sport and develop the next generation of cycling legends from the United States.”
Operators have planned a public open house at the track from 2-5 pm on May 6th.
For additional information and to make a donation, visit: BoulderValleyVelodrome.org
TIMELINE
April 2023 — BVV Holdings LLC agrees to purchase Velodrome, names Team Colorado Cycling operator.
May 2020 — Sale falls through as a result of pandemic. Velodrome put back on market.
Feb. 2020 — Velodrome goes under contract to a group planning to keep it open to cyclists.
Dec. 2019 — Cycling supporters announce last-ditch effort to purchase track.
Oct. 2019 — Velodrome goes under contract to buyer who plans to demolish facility; closes to public.
Oct. 2017 — Owners put Velodrome on market for $4.7 million.
Jan. 2015 — Boulder Valley Velodrome officially opens.
Sept. 2013 — Historic Boulder Valley flooding further delays construction.
Aug. 2013 — Construction set back by serious damage sustained in high-wind event.
May 2012 — Construction begins.
June 2010 — Erie town leaders approve construction.
2008 — Doug Emerson and Frank Banta form Boneshaker LLC and purchase 4.2 acres in Erie to be the home of the Boulder Valley Velodrome.
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by OnSight | Aug 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Pro cyclists in the inaugural Colorado Classic men’s race covered 313 miles (503.5 km) and endured more than 20,000 feet of intense, high-altitude climbing. The event marked the return of pro cycling to the state in a format intended to broaden the sport’s appeal by featuring circuits that provided repeated opportunities for fans to see the riders and racing action up close. For stages 3 and 4 in Denver, the race was included in a three-day festival and marketplace in the River North Art District dubbed Velorama.
“We’ve hosted tens of thousands of cycling and music fans this weekend in Denver, with many more on the road throughout the past four days. It’s been a great first year and we’re looking forward to capitalizing on our momentum,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race and and accompanying Velorama Festival.
Golden’s Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac), who finished third overall, welcomed the race’s emphasis on re-inventing the bike race.
“Even though I’m disappointed in my finish, I think it was exciting,” he said. “Maybe we need to take a lesson from roller derby … we need to get people revved! Hopefully they show up in 2018.”
RPM Events Group Chairman Ken Gart said organizers are planning for a second year and intend to learn from both their successes and their failures.
“The fundamental concept of marrying a music festival to a bike race and broader community celebration was very successful,” he said. “We heard from fans and vendors that they were thrilled. We had some problems, but that comes with every first-year event, so overall we’re thrilled.”
Race director Jim Birrell had a similar assessment.
“The format that Ken and RPM came up with lends itself to a better spectator experience, better community experience and a better sponsor experience. It’s a better opportunity to see the riders – to be able to cheer riders on to finish line,” he said.
The Colorado Classic is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and designated as a 2.HC race, which is the highest category outside of World Tour races. The Colorado Classic is also part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States.
The first edition of the Colorado Classic included 96 of the sport’s top men and 84 of the best women pro cyclists. A field of 16 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams competed in the return of pro cycling to the Centennial State.
by OnSight | Jun 2017 | BIkes, Golden Giddyup, Print Communications
Our little Jeffco bike race is growing up so fast!
Just this past month we were featured in the summer issue of Dirt Rag Mountain Bike Magazine. The article highlights some great photos of the first-ever Golden Giddyup in September of 2016, but also delves into the event’s origin story: a scrappy band of neighborhood mountain bikers taking on the seemingly-impossible challenge of holding a mountain bike even in Jeffco Parks Open Space, and the natural disaster that opened up a window of opportunity for them to make it happen.
The article isn’t online, but you can check it out by picking up your copy of Dirt Rag wherever reputable magazines are sold.
by OnSight | Jun 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Pro cyclists in the inaugural Colorado Classic men’s race will cover 313 miles (503.5 km) and endure more than 20,000 feet of intense, high-altitude climbing in four stages that showcase the state’s incredible terrain and enhance viewing and entertainment options for fans, race organizers announced today.
The Colorado Classic race routes will test the field and create new and unique experiences for spectators over the race’s four-day run, August 10-13. Courses start and finish from the same location — as opposed to point-to-point races — and stages 1, 2 and 4 are “circuits” featuring multiple laps on challenging courses. As such, the Colorado Classic promises repeated opportunities for fans to see the riders up close over the course of the event.
“Each course will give fans numerous opportunities in a single day to see the sport’s top riders,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “And the start-finish areas are being built to be magnets of activity before, during, and after each race. Our goal is to have you come out for one experience, and to stick around for many, many more.”
The Colorado Classic is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and designated as a 2.HC race, which is the highest category outside of World Tour races.
Stage one will cover a total of 93.5 miles (150.4 km) as riders push the pace for six laps on a 15.58-mile (25.1 km) course in the shadow of Pikes Peak, running between downtown Colorado Springs and the sandstone formations of the city’s iconic Garden of the Gods. Links: Stage 1 Map | Stage 1 Elevation Profile
Stage two will be a test of endurance and willpower over 64 miles (103 km) in the scenic mining town of Breckenridge. During 10 laps on the 6.4-mile (10.3 km) course, riders will face more than 7,000 feet of climbing, including multiple, leg-crushing runs up the notorious Moonstone climb — and the subsequent thrilling descents down Illinois Gulch. Links: Stage 2 Map | Stage 2 Elevation Profile
The action moves to Denver for the stages 3 and 4 of the men’s race, as the Colorado Classic anchors the first-ever Velorama Festival: a 3-day bike, music, and craft festival in the city’s RiNo Art District. From August 11-13, Velorama will feature musical acts; some of the world’s best cyclists competing in the final two stages of the Colorado Classic; and hundreds of vendors in a festival marketplace that includes a Bike and Lifestyle Expo and is anchored by the Denver Flea and the independent craft makers of beer, cider and wine in the Drink RiNo group.
Stage three will be contested on an 81-mile (130 km) out-and-back course that runs from the RiNo race hub to the mountains west of Denver on the Peak to Peak Highway, and then returns to the Mile High City through scenic Golden Gate Canyon State Park and via what is expected to be a finishing sprint through the streets of Denver, with speeds approaching 60 mph. Among the day’s highlights will be race action on Gap Road in the foothills west of Denver. On that stretch, riders will face the toughest part of the course, or King of the Mountain (KOM) section, and dirt roads with steep, rolling hills. Links: Stage 3 Map | Stage 3 Elevation Profile
Stage four will once again highlight the start-and-finish area within the Velorama Festival grounds and send riders on a 7.5-mile (12km) city circuit that stretches from RiNo to City Park and back. Riders will do 10 laps in the final stage, for a total of 74.6 miles (120.1 km) on what is expected to be a thrilling, intense, and colorful final day of racing. Links: Stage 4 Map | Stage 4 Elevation Profile
The four-day race will be televised on NBCSN and live streamed on NBC Sports Gold — NBC Sports Digital’s live streaming direct-to-consumer subscription app. Paul Sherwen will call the action, joined by analyst Christian Vande Velde and reporter Bob Roll.
The two stages of the women’s Colorado Classic will be conducted on similar courses to stages 1 & 2 of the men’s course.
Stage one of the women’s race will cover 38.36 miles (61.7 km) over multiple laps in Colorado Springs, and will send a field of the best women cyclists through the Garden of the Gods. Links: Stage 1 Women’s Map | Stage 1 Women’s Elevation Profile
The second and final stage will cover 32 miles (51.5 km) over five laps on the Breckenridge course, with riders conquering Moonstone hill over and over again. Links: Stage 2 Women’s Map | Stage 2 Women’s Elevation Profile
The Denver start-finish area is within the ticketed Velorama Festival grounds and will provide incredible vantage points for catching the race action. Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Old 97’s and the Jayhawks will headline three rockin’ days of music with tickets, which also provide access to the race start-finish line and the festival marketplace, available online at VeloramaColorado.com.
No admission is being charged to the start-finish areas in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, and cycling fans will find countless areas to cheer on racers for free from alongside the courses in all four stages. For additional information, visit: ColoradoClassic.com
by OnSight | May 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Men’s stages planned Aug. 10-13 in Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver
DENVER — The return of men’s pro cycling to Colorado will feature more than 14 of the sport’s top international and domestic pro teams, officials with the Colorado Classic announced today.
Additional squads will be added in coming weeks to bring the field to between 16 and 18 teams, organizers said.
“‘We are excited to have such a competitive field — including four World Tour teams — for the inaugural Colorado Classic,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “With increased demands on teams dictated by a crowded international calendar, we are extremely grateful to the committed teams. The quality of the field once again validates Colorado as a world-class cycling destination.”
The August 10-13 Colorado Classic will feature some of the sport’s top squads. To date, invitations have been accepted by:
UCI World Teams
BMC Racing Team USA
Cannondale Drapac Professional Cycling Team USA
Trek-Segafredo USA
UAE Team Emirates UAE
UCI Professional Continental Teams
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA ESP
Israel Cycling Academy ISR
Nippo-Vini Fantini ITA
Team Novo Nordisk USA
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team USA
UCI Continental Teams
Axeon Hagens Berman USA
Elevate – KHS USA
Holowesko/Citadel Racing p/b Hincapie Sportswear USA
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
Rally Cycling USA
The Colorado Classic is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and designated as a 2.HC race, which is the highest category outside of World Tour races.
The Colorado Classic is also part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States.
The men’s race will cover roughly 300 miles over 4 stages:
Stage 1: Colorado Springs (Thursday, August 10)
Stage 2: Breckenridge (Friday, August 11)
Stage 3: Denver / Peak to Peak Hwy out-and-back: (Saturday, August 12)
Stage 4: Denver city circuit (Sunday, August 13)
“Drawing a high-caliber field to Colorado is helped by the state’s deep history with bike racing, the quality of courses and the passion of cycling fans,” said Race Director Jim Birrell. “The Colorado Classic is building on that to create a race that will be memorable for spectators and teams alike.”
Women’s stages of the Colorado Classic will be held Aug. 10-11 in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, respectively. Teams for that event were announcedlast month. (Separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur and collegiate riders will be held Aug. 11 and 12 in Denver).
The race will be televised on NBCSN and live streamed on NBC Sports Gold — NBC Sports Digital’s live streaming direct-to-consumer subscription app. Paul Sherwen will call the action on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold, joined by analyst Christian Vande Velde and reporter Bob Roll.
Details on course routes, additional teams and men’s and women’s riders will be provided later this spring.
For additional information, visit: www.ColoradoClassic.com
by OnSight | Apr 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic
Officials with the Colorado Classic announced today that women’s stages of pro cycling’s return to the Centennial State will feature at least a dozen of the sport’s top teams.
“Our goal is to build one of the sport’s premier events for pro women and men, and the caliber of these teams puts us well on our way,” said David Koff, CEO or RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the Colorado Classic.
Sanctioned by USA Cycling, the Colorado Classic will feature some of the sport’s top squads. To date, officials have secured 12 women’s teams — (*) indicates UCI registered women’s team:
The men’s Colorado Classic will be held Aug. 10-13, while the two stages of the women’s Colorado Classic will be Thursday, Aug. 10 in Colorado Springs and Friday, Aug. 11 in Breckenridge (separate women’s criterium races featuring pro, amateur, and collegiate riders will be held Aug. 11 and 12 in Denver).
“Colorado has a tremendous legacy for hosting world-class women’s cycling that dates back to the ‘80s,” said Women’s Race Director Sean Petty and UCI Road Commission member. “The strong response we’ve received from the top U.S. women’s teams honors that legacy and we expect great racing from some of the best riders in the world.”
The men’s and women’s stages of the Colorado Classic are part of the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, which showcases the premier domestic road events in the United States.
Details on individual riders, men’s teams and courses will be provided later this spring.
