2013 Stonewall Century Ride Saturday, August 10
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. There is no mass start. 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 century in 7 - 9 hours, arriving back at the Town park between 2:30 - 3:30 pm, with some cyclists arriving as late as 5:00 pm. The post-ride dinner and festivities in the park will last all afternoon. The dinner will be served from 1:00 pm until 5:30 pm. We will make plates up for registered riders who are still on the road after 5:30.
- Can I pick up my registration packet early?
- Friday evening packet pick-up at the La Veta Inn, between 4:00pm and 9:00pm.
- My wife wants to meet me at the finish. Can I bring her to the post-ride dinner?
- Yes. Extra guest tickets are $18.00 - please order when you register.
- What's on the menu?
- Eddie's Whistle Stop will be serving beef brisket or veggie burgers, baked beans, green salad, watermelon, ice cream treats, water, iced tea and lemonade.
- Where can I get breakfast on the morning of the ride?
- The Ryus Avenue Bakery and Paradise Coffee will both be open at 6:00 am.
- What is the weather like at that elevation in August?
- It depends! A few years it has been hot and dry, a few years it has been ra iny and chilly, but check on www.nws.noaa.gov and come prepared!
- 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. 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. Turn around at the third SAG (Stonewall) and make it a metric!
- What does it cost to ride the Stonewall Century?
- Early registration is $60, online or postmarked before June 1. Standard registration is $65, online or postmarked between June 1 and July 30. Late registration is $75, online or postmarked July 31 or later and at the event. We think the ride is a very good deal. You get a t-shirt, snacks, lunch, SAG support, a post-ride dinner, and a chance to win nice door prizes.
- Where does the money go?
The Stonewall Century is an all-volunteer effort. The local non-profits who benefit from the ride also help us to put on the event. The main beneficiary is the Stonewall Fire Protection district, which provides the refreshments at the North Lake and Stonewall Feed Stations and coordinates emergency ambulance services. Of course, much of the money pays our expenses: 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?
A random number generator will select the winners while you are on the ride - just check the prize board when you get back to the Town Park.
- What's happening the night before the ride?
- On Friday night before the ride, restaurants will be open in La Veta, Cuchara, and Walsenburg. The La Veta Inn is again hosting our packet pick up from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, and will be offering a tasty dinner for regular, vegetarian and gluten-free eaters! 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! We're told there will be HOT water this year!
