The return of the USA Pro Challenge Time Trial in Vail on Saturday, Aug. 23 promises to offer a thrilling day of racing as Vail welcomes thousands of cycling fans for Stage 6 of the week-long race throughout Colorado. Vail hosted the Time Trial during the event’s inaugural race in 2011 and again in 2013, with the results proving to be pivotal in determining the overall race winner. This year’s USA Pro Challenge covers 7 stages, Aug. 18-24, with the start in Aspen and the finish in Denver.
The Town of Vail, in partnership with the Vail Valley Foundation, has been working to coordinate logistics for the Vail Time Trial, which includes temporary road closures, re-routing of buses, overflow parking, free bike storage, activities and spectator zones. Neighborhoods in East Vail and businesses in Vail Village are being alerted of the race-day impacts, which will occur mostly from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The impacts are also described on the town’s website at vailgov.com/ProChallenge.
Prior to race day, several event-related events will be staged at Mountain Plaza in Vail Village, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, including kids’ activities, ice cream après and a chromoly bike building challenge. This Stage 6 preview will be highlighted by the showing of a free outdoor movie taking place at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn.
Saturday’s Time Trial race on Aug. 23 will take place from 1:05 to 4:15 p.m. with as many as 128 riders taking to the start line. Prior to the start of the race, which will be located at Solaris Plaza, forerunners will be riding the 10-mile course from noon to 1 p.m. Spectators will also enjoy a Bike Expo in Vail Village from noon to 6 p.m. Winning riders will be recognized at an award ceremony beginning at 4:15 p.m. at Solaris Plaza.
Among the day’s impacts will be temporary road closures between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. as follows:
- All of Bighorn Road in East Vail will be closed. Use Columbine Drive for emergency-only access crossing.
- I-70 East Vail Exit 180 off-ramps will be closed.
- In Vail Village: Willow Bridge Road, Gore Creek Drive, Bridge Street, Hanson Ranch Road and East Meadow Drive will be closed all day to vehicles from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- In addition, neighborhood access restrictions will be in place, also from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- No vehicles over 8 feet in width and 20 feet in length will be allowed past the entrance to the Vail Village parking structure during the race.
- Westbound South Frontage Road from Vail Valley Drive (golf course bridge) west will be open during the race.
- No parking or camping will be allowed on the race course route.
- Emergency exiting from Booth Creek, Bald Mountain and East Vail neighborhoods will be accommodated by race and emergency service personnel. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.
- Forest Road/Beaver Dam Road residents are encouraged to use the West Forest Road access near the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District facility.
- Public parking restrictions will include the following:
- The Ford Park upper parking lot will be closed all day Friday, Aug. 22 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.
- The Vail Municipal building parking lot will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 while it is used for emergency parking.
- Town of Vail transit service will be modified from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23 as follows:
- For the East Vail route, buses will leave the Vail Village Transportation Center from the top deck on a regular basis and express on eastbound I-70 to the East Vail Exit 180. The route continues on Bighorn Road to the intersection of Bridge Road. From there, buses travel onto Bridge Road, then Lupine Drive and Columbine Drive until intersecting with the race course along Bighorn Road. From there, buses will use Streamside Circle West to Streamside Circle East where they will follow the regular East Vail bus route (Meadow Drive to Main Gore Drive South). From Main Gore Drive South, the bus route will extend to Main Gore Circle and return to Juniper Lane until it connects with Meadow Drive after which it winds back through the residential neighborhood retracing the temporary eastbound route. The following East Vail bus stops will be serviced with 20 minute minimum frequency:o Bridge Road near Gore Creek (temporary)
o Intersection of Lupine Drive and Columbine Drive (temporary)
o South of the intersection of Columbine Drive and Bighorn Road (temporary)
o Streamside Circle
o Timber Falls
o Vail Racquet Club
o Bighorn Park
o Meadow Lane East
o Meadow Drive
o Juniper Lane
o Near the intersection of Main Gore Drive and Gore Circle (temporary)
- Also, the in-town bus route will use South Frontage Road in place of East Meadow Drive (Farmers Market route) with service to the Vail Transportation Center from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 23. Service to Vail Valley Drive and Golden Peak on the in-town route will be unavailable.
Pedestrian access to Vail Village businesses will be maintained at all times during the event. Fencing will be used to separate the race course from the spectators. Designated crossings will be used for additional pedestrian access.
The race course area in Vail Village will be a special event alcohol area where outside alcohol will be prohibited. All bags will be subject to search within the alcohol boundary. Under all circumstances, spectators are asked to notify law enforcement or race volunteers of anything that is suspicious such as unattended bags, or call 9-1-1.
On-street loading and delivery in the Village Core area will be limited from 8 a.m. Aug. 22 through all day Aug. 23 for the race and set up. Loading and delivery will be accessible via Mountain Plaza at the base of the Vista Bahn during this time frame. Most areas except for Solaris will have some access until 5 a.m. Aug. 23. All on-street delivery vehicles must be out of the Village by 5 a.m. Aug. 23.
Passenger vehicles will be able to access or leave the Sitzmark Lodge and Gasthof Gramshammer until 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 23. Gore Creek Drive should re-open by 6 p.m. after the race. Access to Vail Village Center Condominiums, Austria Haus and Solaris will be available by 6 p.m. as well.
Access to Lionshead Village will not be impacted by the race other than the large amount of traffic and parking the race is expected to generate.
Event planners are encouraging spectators and commuters to use public transportation, carpool or ride their bikes into Vail on race day as parking will be limited. ECO Regional Transit will offer free express bus service from the Beaver Creek parking lots to the Vail Transportation Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every 20 minutes that day. For those who ride their bikes, free secure bike storage will be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the top deck of the Vail Village parking structure, courtesy of Ski Club Vail.
Limited free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lower levels of the Vail Village parking structure as well as all levels of the Lionshead parking structure, followed by overflow parking on the North and South Frontage Roads (north side only) west of Vail Valley Drive. Use m.vail.com for real-time parking structure updates. On-street, neighborhood parking will be prohibited townwide, as well as parking on the shoulders of I-70. No additional parking will be available in East Vail or Ford Park.
The best viewing areas for the Time Trial will be along the course route in Vail Village and at the climb on Old Highway 6 to the finish. Spectators should bring water, sunscreen, a hat and plan for all types of weather. Consider riding a bike from Vail Village or head to the top of Vail Pass and ride down to the finish area. Another option is to use the East Vail bus route to access outlying spectator areas or for those wanting to walk up the race course on Old Highway 6.
The easiest access to Ford Park will require riding the bus to the nearest stop, due to closure of the Ford Park parking lot; some walking will be required. For ADA access, call 479-2178. Access to and from the Vail Golf Club will flow in a one-way loop on Vail Valley Drive from the east end of the Village parking structure. Golfers should allow extra time when heading to play golf on race day.
Town of Vail municipal services will be limited on Aug. 23 as town employees will be assisting with the Time Trial. Please call ahead to confirm available services, 479-2100. The municipal building parking lot will be closed during the day while it is used for emergency vehicle parking.
For a listing of events and activities related to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, visit ProChallenge.com. For traffic alerts, subscribe to ecalert.org.