Spanish Peaks Cycling :: Stonewall Century :: History / Archive

2009 Stonewall Century Ride

Five hundred and six cyclists descended upon La Veta for the 7th annual Stonewall Century Ride, a 102-mile bicycle ride from La Veta to Segundo and back. The cyclists enjoyed sunny skies, clean roads, colorful wildflowers, fruit, sandwiches, and homemade treats at six aid stations along the route, along with live music and massages at the post-ride barbeque in La Veta Town Park. The steep climb up Cucharas Pass is always a challenge, and a slight wind made the ride interesting in the afternoon.

Lodging establishments and restaurants were completely booked, and over 30 cyclists stayed with Local Hosts, raising nearly $1,000 for the La Veta Public Library. Another 29 cyclists camped in the school gymnasium and 29 took showers, raising $406 to be split between the school and the library.

The Cuchara and Cuchara Pass aid stations were manned by the Spanish Peaks Cycling Club, while the Stonewall Fire Department and Red Cross manned the aid stations at North Lake, Stonewall, and Segundo. Over 90 hard-working volunteers, including paramedics, EMTs, watermelon slicers, brownie servers, and bike mechanics, helped with the event. The Stonewall Century has become the largest fundraiser for the local Red Cross and Stonewall Fire Department. The two organizations earned over $6,000 for their cause.

La Veta Rotary Club and the La Veta High School Cheerleaders served nearly 550 barbeque chicken dinners in La Veta Town Park, earning $1,000 for the cheerleaders and $2,500 for the Rotary Club. Rotary will use the proceeds for scholarships and other worthy causes.

The cycling club would like to thank all of the volunteers, and CDOT for sweeping the road and delaying a chip n'seal project by a week. Thanks to our sponsors, Hammer Nutrition, Creative Lab 208, and Whetstone Associates. Also thanks to Colorado State Patrol for providing motorcycle officers. Liz and Don Spencer for Friday night packet pickup at 2Peak Fitness, La Veta RE-2 School Board and administrative staff for the use of the gymnasium, La Veta Town Board for the use of Town Park, and all who helped make the ride a roaring success.

Sue Wyman and Scott Effner, organizers of the Stonewall Century for 7 years, moved to Gunnison on April 1st. They will pass the torch to Anne Renaud-Wilkinson and Sandy Borthick, both of La Veta, to organize the 8th annual Stonewall Century Ride in 2010. Scott says he will work as a mechanic again in 2010. Sue intends to ride the 102 miles and eat the homemade goodies at aid stations along the route.

2008 Stonewall Century Ride

380 cyclists registered and over 150 braved the rainy, wet roads for the 2008 Stonewall Century Ride on Saturday, August 16th. Early morning rain delayed the 6:30 a.m. start until 8:00 for many intrepid cyclists, and both cyclists and volunteers endured cold and pelting rain throughout the day with a brief window of fair skies in the afternoon. The extreme conditions brought out a sense of camaraderie and determination among the 40 cyclists who rode the entire 102 miles. Participants commented:

Thank you and all the volunteers for a memorable Stonewall Century Swim! Michael Phelps has nothing on all the folks that rode this year's century!

This was my first century, and I am so glad to have participated even with the less than ideal weather conditions. The weather didn't scare me off, and I plan to come again next year! p.s. - Thanks for the encouragement going up the final climb up the pass! It helped!

Despite the weather, I had a great time. The folks at the aid stations were the best of any ride I have done, and the homemade goodies were a treat. Scott the mechanic was also all over the place, and he fixed a flat for me in record time. Because there were so few of us riding, there seemed to be more connection between us than is usual on a century ride. Shared misery, I suppose, but I think the riders enjoyed that. Thanks again, and I'll see you next year.

I just want to say "Thanks" for once again putting on a great Century Ride. In spite of the fact that weather didn't live up to your forecast (Hey, it is Colorado after all!) the ride support for those of us that actually decided to brave the elements and complete the entire century ride was second to none. I look forward to this ride every year ... the challenge, the scenic course, the pleasant volunteers (it really helped motivate me at the lake feed station when I was greeted with a cheer and the statement that I was the first person to make it back from Segundo), and the feed stations ... especially the home made food like the brownies at the stop by the lake and the lunch in Segundo are just great.

Thank you to Spanish Peaks Cycling for sponsoring the Stonewall Century. On Saturday, we enjoyed lattes and fresh baked goods at the bakery until 8am. Then the rain stopped. We were able to ride to the Cuchara rest stop before the rain began again. At friendly Cuchara, we were invited to use the covered porches to add more warm clothing for the ride down. And, we were also invited into a cabin when the hail started. It was fun to warm ourselves by the fire and chat with other bicyclists, while the storm passed. The ride back into La Veta was very wet and cold, but the lovely BBQ and homemade treats filled us with warmth. Many thanks to the volunteers, who turned this rainy bike ride into a success. See you in 2009!

I wanted to thank you for hosting a great event even though mother nature did not cooperate. Three of us traveled to your event from West Palm Beach, Florida as we heard about how wonderful it was from friends in Colorado who had participated in years past. We are already making plans to attend again next year... Many thanks to the gentleman with the truck who picked us up in Cuchara on our way back down......we were freezing cold and very wet. I'm looking forward to doing the ride again next year, so as soon as you know the dates, please let me know.

Thanks for a great organized ride. Although we were victims of the rain (started twice and each time got so wet we had the stop) we were really impressed by all the die hard volunteers at aid stations and the barbeque staff. Everyone had great attitudes, were super friendly, and encouraging. We especially enjoyed the jersey/shirt cookies at Aid station #2 and the pie at the end.

We were so looking forward to completing the century, as we have been planning to attend the event for over a year. Now we are already planning for next year. Rain or shine- we'll be back to make the grade!

Spanish Peaks Cycling Club thanks the many volunteers and sponsors of the 6th annual Stonewall Century Ride. Together, we kept the cyclists safe and well fed. And we raised over $2,000 for the Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross and Stonewall Fire Protection District, over $1,000 for the La Veta Rotary Club and La Veta High School Cheerleaders, $450 for the La Veta Public Library, and $55 for the RE-2 School District.

Thanks to all the volunteers who stuffed packets, tracked registration, set up feed stations, directed traffic, hung banners, sold t-shirts, cut watermelon, served barbeque, fixed flat tires, drove emergency support vehicles, hauled cyclists, and cleaned up. Thanks to CDOT for sweeping the road before the event, 2Peak Fitness for hosting Friday night packet pickup, and Town of La Veta for providing traffic cones. Thanks also to our sponsors: Hammer Nutrition, CreativeLab 208, San Isabel Electric Association, Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, Whetstone Associates, Cliff Brice, Coca-Cola, Ryus Avenue Bakery, La Veta Coffee Company, and Bicycling Magazine for helping make this event a success. We look forward to the 7th annual Stonewall Century Ride in August 2009!

2007 Stonewall Century Ride

The 2007 Stonewall Century Ride was the best ever. We had perfect weather, 416 enthusiastic cyclists, over 70 committed volunteers, fantastic live music in the park, gorgeous posters for sale, and loads of chocolate brownies at North Lake. Cyclists were treated to fair skies, green hillsides, colorful wildflowers, a safe open road, and plenty of food to fuel them along the route.

The hardworking volunteers and Local Hosts 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. We enjoyed seeing familiar faces, and meeting new riders who agree the Stonewall Century is a uniquely welcoming challenge.

2006 Stonewall Century Ride

The cyclists say it best:

The 2006 Stonewall Century Ride was a blast. 95% of cyclists made it back to town to enjoy chicken dinner in Town Park, and the last 5% were treated to pelting rain before chicken dinner. 356 people registered -- one more than last year -- and we appreciate every one of them coming to ride with us and enjoy our scenery. The food was abundant as always: muffins, granola bars, turkey sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly, Fritos, Sun Chips, trail mix, candy, Coca-Cola, Powerade, cookies, pretzels, donuts, and more. The Red Cross made seven pans of homemade brownies, and the Methodists served plates of grilled chicken, gardenburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, finger vegetables, and truly decadent desserts.

The 2006 Stonewall Century Ride and Local Host Lodging Program raised over $2,100 for Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross and the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department, over $1,100 for the La Veta Rotary Club, $1,000 for the La Veta High School Cheerleaders, $137 for La Veta Public School, and $530 for the La Veta Public Library. These organizations provide numerous volunteers to make the event possible. Thanks everyone!

2005 Stonewall Century Ride

The 2005 Stonewall Century Ride was a pleasure for cyclists and volunteers alike. Although it rained miles away in Denver, we enjoyed good weather for third annual event. The day was overcast and cool, but no rain fell until after 6:00 pm, when most cyclists were off the bike, happy, well fed, and home or headed to their evening destinations. 355 people registered, and we appreciate every one of them coming to ride with us and enjoy our scenery. The food was abundant as always: muffins, granola bars, turkey sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly, Fritos, Sun Chips, trail mix, candy, Coca-Cola, Powerade, cookies, pretzels, donuts, and more. The Red Cross made seven pans of homemade brownies, and the Methodists served plates of grilled chicken, gardenburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, finger vegetables, and truly decadent desserts.

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!

2004 Stonewall Century Ride

The 2004 Stonewall Century Ride was GREAT!. Morning temperatures were cold, but the weather improved as the day went on, and cyclists were treated to clear skies, very little wind, and breathtaking views from North Lake in the afternoon. 360 people rode (compared to 275 in 2003) so we were still able to maintain the personal feeling of the ride. In fact, the Red Cross brought homemade creampuffs, homemade brownies, and sour cream orange twists and more -- just like Grandma used to make! \

The Century Ride and Local Host Lodging raised nearly $2,000 for the two-county Spanish Peaks Red Cross, over $1,500 for the La Veta United Methodist Church, $110 for the La Veta RE-2 School District, and $370 for the La Veta Public Library Building Fund.

Cyclists returned positive comments about the ride. "The scenery was great, the the route great, the feed stations were deliciously stocked, and the people of La Veta were wonderful!" one cyclist wrote. Most commented, "We'll be back next year!"

2003 Stonewall Century Ride

The 2003 Stonewall Century Ride was a raging success! 275 cyclists rode from La Veta to Segundo and back, and were provided energy drinks, Coke, water, fruit, sandwiches, and treats along the route, as well as a barbeque chicken dinner in the La Veta Town Park at the end of the ride.

"This is the best century ride we've ever attended!" several cyclists said. The cyclists complimented the ride organization, food, scenery, and lack of traffic. "The community involvement was amazing!" one cyclist wrote on a comment sheet. "I appreciated the friendliness, cheer, and encouragement," wrote another.

Cyclists experienced rain along portions of the route, but the rain was a benefit in keeping temperatures cool. Although the ride was non-competitive, organizers noted that the fastest century rider, Dan Grygier of Colorado Springs, finished the 102-mile ride in 5 hours, 57 minutes. Most cyclists rode lightweight road bikes, although several completed the ride on mountain bikes and one tough cyclist from Littleton, Colorado, completed the ride on a 3-speed Schwinn with a banana seat.

Spanish Peaks Cycling club hosted the ride. Volunteers from the two-county Spanish Peaks Branch of the Red Cross provided support at North Lake, Stonewall, and Segundo. The Stonewall Fire Department volunteers provided EMT services in the Las Animas County portion of the route. The La Veta United Methodist Church provided the post-ride barbeque in the park. Event sponsors included Huerfano County Branch Bank, Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, 2 Peak Fitness, La Veta True Value Hardware, Safeway Stores in Walsenburg and Trinidad, Walmart Supercenter in Trinidad, Coca-Cola, Cliff Brice, Whetstone Associates, Dr. Whealan Koontz, Dale F Zinn & Associates, Specialized, The Bicycle Barn, Rivers Edge B&B, Bicycling Magazine, and the La Veta Inn.

The event 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. Most importantly, the cyclists and the volunteers had a GREAT time. Thanks to all the cyclists who visited our community and made it possible!

Stonewall Century Sponsors