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Spanish Peaks Cycling invites you
to join us for the 6th
Annual
Stonewall Century Ride
Saturday, August 16,
2008
Registration for the 2008 Stonewall Century Ride using active.com's
online registration, or by printing and mailing the standard
registration form.
Read on for further information about the ride,
Lodging and
Camping in La Veta, Cuchara,
and hereabouts, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The Stonewall Century is a challenging road bike ride along one of
Colorado’s most beautiful scenic highways. We welcome you to come and enjoy
some of the best road riding in Southern Colorado
- 102 miles
- 7500 ft elevation gain
- Quarter-century and half-century (25- & 50-mile) options
- Start/end in La Veta Town Park
- Start time: 6:30 am
(optional mass start) - 8:30 am
- Ride along beautiful Colorado State Highway 12 to Segundo and back
- Registration fee includes 6 SAG stations (including a mid-ride lunch
stop), mechanical assistance, a post-ride barbeque, t-shirt, door prizes,
and more
- Click here for the Route
And Profile map. Note, the route and profile are in pdf file format,
which your can read using Acrobat Reader. (Click
here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
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 15, 2008, from
3:00 - 9:00 pm at 2Peak Fitness in La Veta. 2Peak Fitness is located at 300
S. Main Street, near the Candy Bean coffee & sweet shop -- you can't miss
it. (Same location as the last 5 years.)
- 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 $8.00. The
barbeque is included in the registration fee for cyclists.
The 2008 barbeque menu is being planned... stay tuned
for details. A vegetarian option will be 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, juice, hardboiled eggs,
yogurt, and muffins 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?
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.
 Bear feet (bare feet?) in La Veta.
- 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. We offer 25-, 50- and 102-mile options for the Stonewall Century
Ride. The route and turn-around points will be clearly marked, with traffic
control. Your t-shirt will still say "Stonewall Century" even though you
may have ridden a Half-century, Quarter-century, or (heaven forbid) a
Tenth-century.
- What does it cost to ride the Stonewall Century?
Early registration is $45 (mail before July 1). Standard registration is
$50 (mail or online before August 8). Late registration
-- online until August 14 or in La Veta through August 16 -- is $55. We think the ride is a "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. If we're lucky, the cycling club
will have a bit of cash left over to make next year's event even better.
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 the 2008 event, including
- A floor pump from Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center
- Water bottles and cages from Whetstone Associates
- Gift certificates from Cliff Brice gas stations and stores
- Seat wedge bike bags from San Isabel Electric Association
- t-shirts from Spanish Peaks Cycling club
- and more!
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 2008 ride include Spanish Peaks Regional
Health Center (SPRHC), Hammer Nutrition, Creative Lab 208, San Isabel Electric
Association, Coca-Cola, Cliff Brice, Whetstone Associates, and Bicycling Magazine.
Hammer Nutrition will provide HEED (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) for
the aid stations. Coca-Cola Bottling of Pueblo will supply Coke
products for the lunch station. Cliff Brice provides fuel certificates
for the SAG vehicles and gift certificates for the door prize drawing.
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 3:00 - 9:00 pm at 2Peak
Fitness on main street, and the Candy Bean will be open late to appease your
coffee, espresso, and sweet tooth cravings. 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
few clean towels available, but for best results, bring your own towel!
La Veta and Cuchara are small towns with a variety of inns, lodges, RV
parks, and bed-and-breakfasts (B&Bs). Camping is also available at nearby
state parks and national forest campgrounds (see below for listings.) Spanish
Peaks Cycling has also arranged for local hosts (guest room accommodations in
local homes) and "camping" in the high school gymnasium.
We encourage you to make your lodging arrangements early, and to "think
outside the box" of traditional lodging. The charm of our small town and
sparsely travelled road is a double-edged sword: we won't have enough motels
and B&Bs to accommodate everyone. Consider renting a condo
in Cuchara -- many of the condos sleep 8 or more people, so with a bit of
planning you can invite several friends and split the costs. Consider staying
with a Local Host -- several cyclists stayed with
local hosts in 2003 and are very eager to stay with the same people next
year. Or consider sacking out at the La Veta school gymnasium
-- it's only $10, includes showers, and the money supports our school.
The following list of lodging establishments is provided for your
convenience. This is not a complete list. Additional accommodations may be
available in Cuchara, La Veta, and Walsenburg. Also, Pueblo and Trinidad are
each about an hour away from the start of the ride.
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La Veta - Cuchara
Chamber of Commerce, 719-742-3676 or toll free 866-615-3676, website
contains detailed descriptions of local lodging & accommodations,
www.lavetacucharachamber.com |
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The Historic La
Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. Located in the
Heart of Town, directly across from Town Park. 1-888-806-4875,
www.lavetainn.com |
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Log Haven Motel and RV
Park, 228 W. Grand Ave, La Veta. Located six blocks from Town Park.
Double beds with private baths or RV parking. 719-742-5757 |
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Sammie's Motel, RV Park, & Restaurant
, 124 N. Main St, La Veta. Located two blocks from Town Park.
719-742-5435 |
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Harding's Corner Bed & Breakfast, 140
West Grand St, La Veta. Located three blocks from Town Park.
719-742-5149 |
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Cherry Street Inn,
1012 Cherry St, La Veta. Located nine blocks from Town Park.
719-742-5149,
thecherrystreetinn.com |
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Inn at the Spanish
Peaks, 310 E Francisco, La Veta. Deluxe southwestern style suites,
located four blocks from Town Park. 719-742-5313,
www.innatthespanishpeaks.com
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Posada del Sol y
Sombre Bed & Breakfast (Inn of Sun and Shadow), 113 W. Virginia St, La
Veta. Located three blocks from Town Park. 719-742-3159 |
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River's Edge Bed &
Breakfast, 90 E Cuchara Ave, Cuchara. Located in the beautiful town
of Cuchara, 11 miles from La Veta Town Park. 719-742-5169,
www.riversedge.bz |
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Sulfur Springs Guest
Ranch, 5218 County Road 421. Remote hotsprings hideaway, located
seven miles southwest of La Veta. 719-742-5111 |
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Spanish Peaks Lodge,
564 Aspen Circle, Cuchara. 12 miles from La Veta Town Park.
877-861-4754,
www.spanishpeakslodge.com |
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Mountain View Bed &
Breakfast, #20 Sporleder Heights, Walsenburg. Located seventeen miles
east of La Veta Town Park. 719-738-1138 or 719-738-2345 |
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Bearadise Cabins & RV
Park, 404 S. Oak St., La Veta. Located two blocks south of La Veta
Town Park. 719-742-6221,
www.bearadisecabins.com |
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Circle the Wagons,
124 N. Main St., La Veta. Motel & RV park located two blocks north of La
Veta Town Park. 719-742-3233 |
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Cuchara Inn, 73
East Ave., Cuchara. A 44-unit hotel located 12 miles south of La Veta
Town Park. 719-742-3685,
www.cucharainn.com |
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Elk Valley Fly Shop &
RV Park, 5335 Highway 12, La Veta. Located nine blocks south of La
Veta Town Park. 719-742-5533 or toll free 866-733-5533
www.coloradodirectory.com/elkvalley |
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Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Nine fully
furnished cabins located 10 miles south of La Veta Town Park on Highway
12. 719-742-3528. |
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Rio Cucharas Inn, Located on Highway
160 between Walsenburg and La Veta, 9 miles east of La Veta Town Park.
719-738-1282 |
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La Plaza Inn, 118 W. Sixth St.,
Walsenburg. Elegantly restored historic hotel bed and breakfast, located
seventeen miles east of La Veta Town Park. Ten unique guest rooms with
private baths, some with kitchenettes. 719-738-5700 |
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Anchor Motel, Rustic motel in
downtown Walsenburg, 1001 Main Street, 16 miles from La Veta Town Park.
719-738-2800 |
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Budget Host Motel & RV Park, Located
off I-25 in north Walsenburg, 18 miles east of La Veta. 800-283-4678,
719-738-3800 |
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Best Western Rambler Inn, Located off
I-25 in north Walsenburg, 18 miles east of La Veta. 719-738-1121 |
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Knight's Inn, Located on Highway 160
between Walsenburg and La Veta, near Lathrop State Park, 10 miles east of
La Veta Town Park. 719-738-2167 |
- Cuchara Cabins & Condo Rentals, Cuchara. Offering short term
rental of condominiums in beautiful Cuchara, 11 miles south of La Veta.
719-742-3340
- Cuchara Mountain Resort Property Management, Cuchara. Offering
short term rental of condominiums at the Cuchara ski area, 14 miles south of
La Veta. Toll free 877-282-4272, cuchara.com
- Adiago House, La Veta. Classic 1900's vacation rental house on
Oak Street, 3 blocks from Town Park. Sleeps 5 singles or 3 couples. Call
Nancy at 719-742-5163
You are invited to stay with local hosts on Friday night before the ride
and/or on Saturday night after the ride. Most homes will have separate guest
rooms with standard or queen beds, and you will have the opportunity to meet a
few of the wonderful people of La Veta, Cuchara, and Huerfano County. Several
cyclists who stayed with local hosts in past years are eager to stay with the
same hosts this year! Some of the hosts provide breakfasts for their
cyclists, but you should assume that your Local Host will provide only a clean
bed, hot shower, and a friendly welcome.
If you are interested in this lodging opportunity, please send an e-mail to
info@spcycling.org before August 4th.
Include in your e-mail (1) your name, (2) number of cyclists/guests, (3)
number of beds needed, (4) whether you'll be staying both Friday night and
Saturday nights or just Friday, (5) contact information, including phone
number and e-mail address. You will be given the name, address, and phone
number of a local host. We ask that you contact your host directly to obtain
directions and let them know what time you will be arriving. In exchange for
lodging, we request that you make a tax-deductible contribution of at least
$20 to the La Veta Public Library Building Fund or to the Spanish Peaks Health
Care Foundation. You may turn in your contribution when you pick up your
registration packet, or mail it in using our
standard donation form.
The school gymnasium in La Veta will be open for camping on Friday night and showers
on Saturday. Cost
is $10 to cover janitorial fees, and any excess monies will go to fund activities
at the school. You do not need to make a reservation. The school
will be open for check-in from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday.
Bring your own sleeping bag, towels, and toiletries.
Camping at Lathrop State Park, Bear Lake, Blue Lake, and Indian Creek in
the San Isabel National Forest, at Monument Lake, and other sites. The
following information is provided for your convenience.
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Lathrop State Park,
located on Highway 160, 3 miles west of Walsenburg, 12 miles east of La
Veta. (719) 738-2376 (phone)
lathrop.park@state.co.us
(e-mail) |
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Monument Lake, 28 miles south of La
Veta on ..Highway 12, 20 motel rooms, 13 cabins, full & partial RV hookups,
tent sites, public showers. 719-868-2226. |
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Indian Creek, San
Isabel National Forest, Remote, free camping in the national forest, 7
miles southwest of La Veta. Drive through La Veta on Highway 12, half
mile out of town, turn right toward Sulfur Springs, then drive 7 miles to
the Indian Creek Trailhead. For more information, contact the San
Isabel National Forest office, 326 Dozier Street, Canon City, CO 81212,
(719) 275-4119. |
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Elk Valley Fly Shop &
RV Park, offers a limited number of tent camping sites, $15 includes
hospitality room with showers. 5335 Highway 12, La Veta. Located nine
blocks south of La Veta Town Park. 719-742-5533 or toll free 866-733-5533
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Bear Lake, Blue Lake Campground, San
Isabel National Forest, Camping in the national forest, 18 miles south
of La Veta. Drive through La Veta on Highway 12, continue south for 14.8
miles, then "right" (or straight, as the main road curves to the left) and
follow the dirt road 4 miles to the lakes. For more information, contact
the San Isabel National Forest office, 326 Dozier Street, Canon City, CO
81212, (719) 275-4119. |
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Elk Valley Fly Shop & RV Park, 5335
Highway 12, La Veta. Located nine blocks south of La Veta Town Park.
719-742-5533 or toll free 866-733-5533 |
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Mary's Place RV Park, 220 W. Grand
St, La Veta. Hot showers, full hookups, shade trees, and grassy spaces.
Located three blocks south of La Veta Town Park. 719-742-3252. |
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