USAPC 2014 Reaction

With the warm, cuddly glow of the impending college basketball season beating down upon my face like the spring sun that now seems so far away, I haven't spared a thought for much else.  But the Monday morning announcement of host cities and route generics for the 2014 edition of the USA Pro Challenge gave me pause.  Upon first glance, they did not go the way I expected, but nonetheless appear to have hit the things I desired at the conclusion of the 2013 race.

Overview:
Stage 1) Aspen circuit
Stage 2) Aspen to Crested Butte
Stage 3) Gunnison to Monarch Mountain
Stage 4) CO Springs circuit
Stage 5) Woodland Park to Breckenridge
Stage 6) Vail TT

First and foremost, they have definitely provided the action 2013 lacked.  With the Vail TT on Saturday, this thing will NOT be decided before the weekend.  And sure, it makes sense to bring Saturday's stage to the Front Range to optimize fan attendance, but the Vail TT has been PACKED the first 2 times they ran it.  Midweek.  The last km of that climb there's not room to take a breath.  And with the race on the line, 5 stages under the belt, this could be epic.

Other things I like: Mountaintop finish on Monarch Mountain.  They call it the first ever, I guess because the other uphill finishes have really been to the base of a mountain.  Though Flagstaff was kind of mountain-toppish.  Either way, it'll provide nice action.  Of course we don't have details of the route until Spring, but given Gunnison is at roughly 7700 feet, and Monarch at about 11000, and the direct route would be way too short, I imagine this one will be tough.  I need to learn that area of CO better to weigh in properly.  They did go over Monarch Pass in year one to end at CB.

Speaking of which, one of the classic finishes in the short history of the race was year one, stage one, up to the base of Crested Butte.  And that's back on stage 2 this year.  Seems like that would have to be the stage they send them over Independence, but that would involve going over Monarch Pass, so... wait and see.

And then...?  Oh yes, there's an and-then.  Shawn Hunter, CEO of the whole shabang, said the finish in Breck would be revisiting Moonstone Road.  Which was gnarly and epic and awesome sauce.  Add on to all that, to please the Colorado-loving crowd, 2 stages of circuits where we can camp out for hours and see our favorite riders for more than 2 seconds.  I gotta say, this course, right now, in my head... they nailed it.

AND THEN?  The list above is missing stage 7 you say?  Or maybe you don't since you read all the news releases too?  It's up for a vote!  Talk about incorporating your fan base.  They have 4 possible final stages, and it's up to a vote to pick it.  They are Golden to Denver, Boulder to Denver, Boulder to Golden, or Denver circuit.  My personal feeling is a) it needs to end in Denver, we need to make sure that's a thing and b) enough circuits for the year.  Lookout was fun, re-do the first finish route from Golden, a few laps around downtown.  Winning.  Go vote here.

And theeeeeen?  No and then.  Go vote.  Go watch the race.  Oh, and go to the CEC and watch the men's and women's CU basketball teams tear it up.  That should get you through the winter.

Parting Thought: My happy song playlist has recently added Best Day of My Life .  You can't not be happy listening to it: