Iron Horse Bicycle Classic 2011
by Dylan Trakas (LIVESTRONG Staff)
The following is a Team LIVESTRONG story from this weekend’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. There are many events you can take part in with Team LIVESTRONG. Go to our website to learn more about the run, walk, ride and tri events.
When it snows 10 inches one week before you?re supposed to host one of the fastest growing and well received cycling events in Colorado, you might be a little nervous about the conditions for your event. As I prepared to head to Durango, Colorado to meet a team of 170 Team LIVESTRONG cyclists for the 40th annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, I, admittedly, was nervous. But, my nerves were pacified as soon as I deplaned and embraced and breezy, 70 degree day in Durango.
This past weekend, Team LIVESTRONG participated for the third time in the Iron Horse. We had 170 riders this year who, to date, have raised an astounding $125,000! That brings our three-year total to more than $265,000! The Iron Horse pits riders against the Narrow Gauge steam locomotive on a 50-mile course that climbs over two mountain passes, each one with a summit of more than 10,000 feet.
One of our riders, Don Marbach, came into this year?s event with a slightly different perspective on things than he had last year. You see, two days after Don finished the Iron Horse in 2010 as a member of Team LIVESTRONG, he was diagnosed with melanoma. And this year, in addition to riding as a member of our team, Don rode in this event for the first time as a Survivor. With his family with him, Don discussed the irony of the situation with me, saying, ?If only I had known last year that I would become a LIVESTRONG ?customer,? I would have raised more money.?
It?s the people like Don and the other 169 Team LIVESTRONG riders who came out over their Memorial Day weekend to take on a ride that dwarfs many others who help propel the LIVESTRONG mission. Team LIVESTRONG looks forward to the 41st annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic next year, and I hope you?ll join us. Registration for Team LIVESTRONG at the 2012 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic with will begin December 1, 2011.
