Well, there was the one day high mountain race in Colorado, originally the Red Zinger, then resurrected as Boulder-Breckenridge. That thing was cool, but a bit of a freak race – very hard, very high altitude, unpaved roads.

It will always be difficult to draw Europeans – never mind North Americans – to a jaunt through the Colorado mountains. The altitude there is really severe and beyond the experience of most riders. Up to 8000 ft, most people can prepare and make it through, but above that, it becomes exponentially more difficult.

I’d much rather see a point-to-point somewhere lower and more populated. That Montreal to Boston race that was in the works a year or so ago sounded really cool, for example.

and I say that being 100% biased. In a few years Pikes Peak will be completely paved, that would be an amazing finish. But the altitude is quite a bitch, I’ve lived in Colorado for 8 years now, and I still get light headed on Pikes Peak. I’m not sure about going to Crested Butte from Springs, it’s like a 4-5 hour drive and it might be a little too long to travel with a bike. Wherever they finish, they should be forced to go over the 40k Mt. Evans first.

How about Washington DC to Philly (137 miles, per Google . . .)?

I think there’s a couple of problems:

1) The USA isn’t Belgium or Italy or Spain or France. Although there is interest in bike racing here in the States its just not enough to make a true Classic, recognized around the world (i.e. Western Europe). The Classics of Europe are part of their culture. And if its not recognized in Europe than the Classic becomes just another local race.

2) Bringing over European teams is expensive. Last winter the Quickstep DS, Lefevre (sp) complained about how expensive it was to go to the Tour of California. Asking them to possibly do multiple trips when they don’t have major economic interests in America is something they will balk at, guaranteed- especially if there are cheaper alternative races in Europe.

3) Sort term this recession will put a damper on many races. This might actually help bring a big-time one day Classic to America in the long run by clearing out some of the Euro races and thus the calendar. But in the short run, there’s no chance.

4) August is not free. I know a couple of us are saying that August is relatively free on the calendar but that’s not true. The Pro Tour is exhausted after the Tour de France and that’s not just because the Tour itself is exhausting (which it is) but because the accumulated races from Het Volk and now earlier (TDU, Qatar, California) is enough to ruin the legs of any of the major riders who weren’t already injured. That’s why the races you do see in August feature watered down fields (Deutschland, ENECO), and many if not most riders not finishing (San Sebastian).

This year with the Olympics added we saw multiple riders being exhausted by the end (Cancellara, Hushovd, Leipheimer among others) plus we saw a Lombardia where the names who raced couldn’t summon up the energy to actually, you know, compete. Limp it was.

The riders need August to recuperate for fall. They ain’t gonna come to the US.

Now here’s how I think we could get this to work:

The first important step happened when Deutschland went kaput.

The second step is dependent on the Vuelta moving back to the spring.

If that happens then California can move to late August and/or (mainly) September. It can then include the Sierras. It could likely become a two week stage race. We can then tack on a Classic before and/or after (though it won;t be all the way on the east coast- because of transportation costs). Missouri (if it survives this recession, which I hope but am not counting on) could also be a part of this. (If Missouri could get ASO interested in it that would help a great deal).

I actually think this is very possible because ASO would have a hand in all of this now that they have a stake in both the Vuelta and California. September would become the US month on the World cycling calendar. But unless the Vuelta moves to spring there’s almost no chance for a true worldwide-stature American Classic.

I think we need more 260k American one-day races, but Philly is a good one-day course. And to me—-as a local—-it remains the preeminent American one-day race. Points in its favor:

1. The Wall. Not as tough as everyone makes it out to be—-the steep part is only about 200 meters long—-but it’s enough to put the screws into a guy like Cavendish. (I don’t even consider Lemon Hill a hill worth mentioning.)

2. Tradition. It’s old for an American race now, and the fans support it. I can even watch it on TV if I want.

3. Circuit. The Belgian races are often twisted up upon themselves, so that fans can catch up to the race multiple times. Philly just lets you stay put and achieves the same effect, which is better for us lazy Americans.

4. Favors a reduced bunch finish. It’s America’s Ghent-Wehlvegem.

Philly could, however, be improved. Lyceum is probably not the toughest/longest street in Manayunk, and an extra hill could improve the toughness. Plus, the use of the small finishing circuit is a nuisance. I’d prefer a world’s style race. And finally, Manayunk and Roxborough have available cobbles that the course doesn’t use.

Ursula is right as usual. Fighting for a durable spot on the UCI calendar is the big battle. The closest race to that goal is Philly, and even their financing has dwindled.

The epic quality of Boulder-Breckenridge almost trumps the altitude and unpaved roads problem. That was the hardest race in the US while it was the Saturn Classic. I was tired as I have ever been and I had a motor! Not for most Euros but epic nonetheless.

As to expense, the sponsor is everything. QS DS Levevre might complain but I’m pretty sure Specialized paid for their ToC trip, (what wasn’t paid for by the promoter). Philly flew and housed the stars because their sponsor could underwrite it. And as a consequence they had 750,000 spectators year after year.

As soon as Tour de Georgia officials heard of Lance’s comeback, Kia Motors was rumored to be interested as title sponsor. When his schedule took him to the Ardennes in April, their interest waned. The stars draw the sponsor money and in turn, increase costs even more. The attendance (for want of a better word) numbers were great for TdG when Lance raced. And the ToC will be off the hook this February.

Yet the promoters will claim that the race makes the stars.

That is the definition of a Classic. A hard race that covers iconic terrain, long enough to generate worthy winners. Creating a Classic in the US requires a strong long-term sponsor, a good organization and a good calendar spot. It can only be a one-day race if the best racers are compelled to come ( ProTour) or it coat-tails on an event nearby, physically and calendar. All the best US races, our stage races, can’t be Classics. yet if an epic race was tacked on to either end , the teams would be faced with choices to bring their stage guys or one-day guys.

This helps to show why, as Ursula says, it won’t be anytime soon.

nope, US Pro Champs are now for US riders only ever since it was moved to September and Greenvile

it could have evolved into a real classic and the Filmore Street was a perfect icon for the race. Too bad it’s gone.

Everyone rides over there, young and old, commuter or racer. So of course cycling is part of their culture. Without that, you can’t have what the Euros have. Besides, who says that America needs races that draw all the Euro riders over here? If fans here want the races, that may have to be good enough. I’m sure there are shitty roads in the northeast somewhere, like Maine, that if run during the Spring would make for just as much drama as in Belgium in the spring. Even though I’m saying this, I’m on my way over there for 6 years or so and will be more than happy to share my take on the races.

If the altitude in Colorado is too much, there’s always the Cascades. I didn’t want to start there, but hey.

Although I mentioned late August as a possibility for ToC expanded, I really meant September and in September the weather is not nearly too hot in California, except if you have to ride in Death Valley or Imperial Valley- and neither has to be hit. Otherwise riding in September in California is at least as easy (cool) as riding in Spain in September. Even the Central Valley hits only 90F as its average high. The Basic and Range to the east (Nevada) hits only the low 80’s as a high: Jeez! They stage Burning Man in early September and they wouldn’t do that if they expected 100 degree days. Seriously the weather worries here are overstated.

But further, an expanded (2 weeks or even 3) ToC in September could include Nevada, Oregon, even Washington with little difficulty. You could have a prologue in Seattle or Vancouver or Victoria or Portland (they could alternate) on Labor Day and meander your way south, hitting SoCal in late September. It would be easy as pie to hit a mix of flat, rolling, and mountain stages. As far as I’m concerned, september is THE month for a Tour of California and beyond.

is a bit of a wind down/recharge and aren’t our domestic guys just coming off of things like Superweek (like 15+ days of racing wrapping up at the end of July). I’m not sure how many go to that but it’s a hectic couple of weeks on the road for them. Then Elk Grove and Downers are put in there. Certainly not stuff for Europe but Downers at least is a pretty big deal for the domestic guys.

That was cool race. I only saw the end because I was racing somewhere that day but the highlights were awesome. Sure, they did repeats up that cobbled hill in town but that’s great for spectators. It’s not very different from riding 17 different little climbs over the same hill in Flanders. The loops seem to be what American races are about and spectators enjoy it. Plus everyone can get a lot drunker because they don’t have to drive to the next spot to see the race.

The two that also deserve recognition are the Gila and the Tour de Beauce.

Both have been around a long time, they are run by really good organizations that have integrated the tour into the community.
A lot would be learned if you look at those two events.

This is the schedule for next year – 2009 NRC

Did you notice any nice spots to put a one day event?
Well, I saw a huge hole after the ToC – Feb 14-16 and before Redlands – Mar. 26-29

If you wanted a one day monument to occur in N. America, then that is where you’d put it.
Most likely at the following week, or no more then 2 weeks after the ToC finished so some of the Euros stay will stay.
Due to the time of year, it would need to be in California, or Arizona.
Because of this, you would need to stay out of the really high elevation areas where there is still can be a lot of snow on the ground.

Personally, I think there are a lot of places to do something like this, but somewhere around the Santa Monica mountains might bring out the coverage to create enough corporate buy-in that it would fly.
I don’t know, finish at the Getty, or something?
That would be really cool.

The key to all this is to gain community support, like what happened in Philly.
Once that is attained and cultivated properly, the race can change from just an ‘event’ to something more.

View Larger Map

Sorry, I just wanted to see if this will work.

Tour of Utah is already in place… about the right time of year, great mountain rides, tough finish plus good sprinter stages. Needs more $.

Signed,
a homer

Yes. And yes.