2010 Stonewall Century Ride Saturday, August 21
FAQ
- Where is La Veta?
- La Veta, Colorado, is located 50 miles southwest of Pueblo, on State Highway 12. From Denver, drive south on I-25 to Walsenburg. At Walsenburg, turn west onto Highway 160. Drive 11 miles, then turn south onto Highway 12. Drive 5 miles to La Veta and the beautiful Cuchara Valley.
- What is the route like and how steep are the hills?
- The route follows Colorado Highway 12, a designated Scenic By-way known as the Highway of Legends. Cyclists will start at 7,013 ft elevation in the La Veta Town Park. The road climbs to Cuchara village (8,500 ft), to the first feed station (1/2 mile before the ski area), to the top of Cuchara Pass (9,945 ft). From there, cyclists will descend to 8,400 ft then climb to the second feed station at North Lake (8,600 ft). The route continues to descend to the beautiful town of Stonewall (third feed station) and on to the lunch SAG at Segundo, where the route reverses and returns along Highway 12. Much of the ride is steady, moderate climbing and descending, however the approaches to Cuchara Pass are steep and challenging. Click here for the Route And Profile map.
- When does the ride start and how long does it last?
You may pick up registration packets starting at 6:00 am in the La Veta Town Park. The recommended start time is 6:30 am. However faster cyclists and those who are riding the half century or quarter century may choose to get on the road between 6:30 and 7:15 am or as late as 9:30 am. Recommended start times are:
- 6:30 - 7:15 am (Century riders)
- 7:15 - 8:30 am (Half-century riders)
- 8:30 - 9:30 am (Quarter-century riders)
Most cyclists will complete the ride in 7 - 9 hours. Most cyclists will return to La Veta between 2:30 - 3:30 pm, with some cyclists arriving as late as 5:00 pm. The post-ride barbeque and festivities in the park will last all afternoon. The barbeque dinner will serve from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.
- Can I pick up my registration packet early?
- Yes. Early packet pick-up takes place Friday, August 20, 2010, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm -- note the later start time this year! -- at the coffee shop on the corner of Main and Francisco, 300 S. Main Street -- you can't miss it.
- My wife wants to meet me at the finish. Can I bring her to the barbeque?
- Yes. You may purchase a meal for your guest(s) in advance by filling in the "extra guest barbeque" line on your registration form. You may also purchase tickets to the barbeque on the day of the event while supplies last. The cost of guest tickets for the barbeque is $10.00. The barbeque is included in the registration fee for cyclists.
- What's on the menu?
- The 2009 barbeque menu will include savory chicken, potato salad, beans, veggies, and yummy homemade desserts. A vegetarian option is available, but you must notify us in advance on your registration form.
- Where can I get breakfast on the morning of the ride?
- Several restaurants will be open early in La Veta, including the Ryus Avenue Bakery (6:00 am). Coffee, fruit, and breakfast burritos will be for sale in the park before the ride.
- What is the weather like at that elevation in August?
- Surprisingly, the ride can be fairly warm (almost hot) in August. Expect to wear arm warmers, maybe leg warmers, and a light jacket in the morning. It warms up fast, between the climbing and the climate, so most cyclists will be wearing short sleeved or sleeveless jerseys by mid-morning or early afternoon. We start at 7,013 ft, and the maximum elevation is 9,945 ft. But since we're in the southcentral part of the state, it's usually warmer than the elevation would indicate.
- What about bears?
Bear feet (bare feet?) in La Veta.
Yes, La Veta, Cuchara, Stonewall, and Segundo have lots of bears. But bears are shy critters, and you are not likely to encounter them while riding the Stonewall Century. However, if you decide to camp in the area before or after the ride, remember to follow normal precautions such as keeping a clean camp.
- What are the stone walls?
- The stone "walls" are igneous dikes (shallow intrusions) which exploited structural trends in the country rock. The dikes radiate out from the West Spanish Peak like spokes on a wheel. Basically, molten igneous rock intruded into fractures below ground, then the surrounding rock was eroded away, leaving the dikes standing. I've read that there are more than 45 dikes, although I've not counted them myself. The most noticeable are the Devil's Stairstep (about 4 miles into the ride), the Notch (or Dakota Wall) about 9 miles into the ride, and, of course, the great wall in the town of Stonewall.
- Can I do a shorter ride?
- Yes. This is an out-and-back ride, so you can turn around wherever you like and head back to the party in the Town Park. If you turn around at the first SAG stop in Cuchara, your ride will total about 25 miles. Turn around at the second SAG at North Lake and you will do a half-century!
- What does it cost to ride the Stonewall Century?
- Early registration is $55 (mail before June 30). Standard registration is $60 (mail or online before August 7). Late registration -- online until August 13 or in La Veta through August 21 -- is $65. We think the ride is a very good deal. You get a t-shirt, snacks, lunch, traffic control, SAG support, a post-ride barbeque dinner, and a chance to win dozens of door prizes.
- Where does the money go?
Several charities benefit from the ride, and each of them provides volunteers for the event. The main beneficiary is Spanish Peaks Red Cross, which provides coffee, baked goods at the North Lake Feed Station. The Stonewall Fire Protection district hosts the water/powerade station in Stonewall and provides emergency ambulance services for the event. The La Veta Rotary Club and La Veta High School Cheerleaders are putting on the barbeque, and will earn a bit of money for their scholarship fund and other service activities. Of course, much of the money will also go to pay for Colorado State Patrol officers & permit, insurance, advertising, food, ice, portapotties, door prizes, etc.
The 2007 Stonewall Century Ride and Local Host Lodging Program raised over $3,000 for the Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross and Stonewall Fire Protection District, over $1,000 for the La Veta Rotary Club, $1,000 for the La Veta High School Cheerleaders, $500 for the La Veta Public Library, and $160 for the RE-2 School District. All of these organizations provided volunteers to make the event possible, and had a great time doing it!
The 2006 Stonewall Century Ride and Local Host Lodging Program raised about $1,200 for Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross, $900 for the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department, over $1,100 for the La Veta Rotary Club, $1000 for La Veta high school cheerleaders, $130 for La Veta Public School, and $400 for the La Veta Public Library. Thank you to the cyclists and the volunteers for making it happen!
The 2005 Stonewall Century Ride and Local Host Lodging Program raised over $1,500 for Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross, $500 for the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department, over $1,800 for the La Veta United Methodist church, $260 for the La Veta Rotary Club, $70 for La Veta Public School, and $240 for the La Veta Public Library. All of these organizations provide volunteers to make the event possible. Thank you to the volunteers and cyclists alike!
The 2004 Stonewall Century Ride and Local Host Lodging Program raised nearly $2,000 for Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross, over $1,500 for the La Veta United Methodist church, $110 for La Veta Public School, and $370 for the La Veta Public Library. Thank you!!!
The 2003 Stonewall Century Ride raised nearly $1,000 for Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross, several hundred dollars for the La Veta United Methodist church, $130 for La Veta Public School?s Charlie Park, and $60 for the La Veta Public Library. Spanish Peaks Cycling Association came out $126 in the black -- not bad for our first year. Thank you to all the cyclists and volunteers who made it possible!
- Door prizes? What are the door prizes?
We are gathering some great door prizes for this year's ride, including cycling-themed paraphernalia, gift certificates and money-saving coupons from local vendors!
Cyclists will be entered into the door prize drawing when they pass through the barbeque line at the end of the ride. Winners will be drawn every half hour throughout the afternoon, so both fast and slow riders have a good shot at winning a door prize. You must be present to win.
- Who are your sponsors?
Our generous sponsors for the 2009 ride include Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center (SPRHC), Hammer Nutrition, Creative Lab 208, San Isabel Electric Association, Whetstone Associates, and Bicycling Magazine.
Hammer Nutrition will provide HEED (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) for the aid stations. Creative Lab 208 provides website design and programming. Whetstone provides many hours organizing the event, and provides one awesome uber-mechanic.
For more information about our sponsors, please see our sponsors page.
- What's happening the night before the ride?
- On Friday night before the ride, restaurants will be open in La Veta, Cuchara, and Walsenburg. Packet pick up is from 5:00 - 9:00 pm at the coffee shop on the corner of Francisco and Main Street. You'll be able to get coffee and treats there and other local merchants and art galleries may also stay open later than usual, for your enjoyment and entertainment.
- Where can I get a shower after the ride?
- Locker rooms at the La Veta school gymnasium will be open from 3:00 to 6:00 pm if you want to take showers. Cost is $4, and proceeds benefit the school's Charlie Park Fund and the La Veta Public Library. We will have a f ew clean towels available, but for best results, bring your own towel! We're told there will be HOT water this year!
