Summer (almost) Weekend

The calendar still says spring but our Gunnison activities are geared up for the summer season!
The highly successful Gunnison Growler biking events, the Sage Burner Running Races the funky townie takeover and the Gran Fondo to Mt. Crested Butte heralded the start of the summer tourist season last weekend.  The downtown businesses saw a lively weekend with their annual summer sidewalk sales.

And although you may need to batten down the hatches, small children and your pet poodle due to this late springtime wind, this weekend is shaping up to be great Gunnison summertime adventure. 


kayaking the Gunnison



Biking at Hartman Rocks

The kids are officially out of school today, so channel some of their energy and take a hike, fish on the river or Blue Mesa, paddle your duckies or kayaks at the Gunnison Whitewater Park (remember your pfd!), ride the mountain bikes on the fabulous trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area or the sublime trails on the VanTuyl Ranch (wear your helmet), visit the history-packed Gunnison Pioneer Museum (don't forget to ring the locomotive bell) and then take a relaxing swim at the Gunnison Community Center's Aquatics Center.

Satuday morning at 10am, head over to Jorgensen Park on East Tomichi Avenue, and have the kids participate in the FREE Youth Fishing Derby and Outdoor Sports Expo.  There's a safe shooting BB Gun Range, Smokey Bear, Wildlife Identification, an Archery Range and exhibits on wildlife and outdoor sports. Catch a lunker trout in PacMan Pond.  Fishing poles are provided or bring your favorite pole with you.   

At noon, get on over to the Gunnison City Shops at 1100 W. Virginia Avnue, for the City's Bike Auction.  It is a silent auction, so select the bike you want and write your bid on the appropriate bid sheet.  The auction closes promptly at 1pm.  No late bids!  You may find your new bike treasure among all of these unclaimed bicycles. Remember and register it with the Gunnison PD so it can be returned to you if you lose it!   


Sundays at 6 Concert at Legion Park

And to end the weekend, take your blanket, camp chair and picnic supper to Legion Park for the  Gunnison Arts Center's first of the summer "Sundays at 6" Concerts.  The Beatles Tribute Band  "Doctor Robert" will be starting off this summer's community concert series.  Kick back, meet and greet friends, and enjoy the retro-music. 

Quen Gunnison II

Today, Wednesday, August 22nd, marks the second USA Pro Challenge "Queen Stage" Start in Gunnison. 


2011 USAPCC Gunnison Start

The Queen's Court Start Festival and Kids Fun Zone gets underway at 9:00am at the IOOF Park and the 100 Block of East Virginia Avenue.  Autograph Alley, where you get autographs from many of the professional cyclists participating in today's grueling race over Cottonwood and Independence Passes, starts at 9:00am downtown.
And Finally....at 10:00am, the Queen Stage Starts!  After the presentation of the colors by the local color guard and the singing of the national anthem, the starting gun will fire at 10:10am and the racers will ride north on Main Street towards Almont and beyond! 
The Queen Stage is the most difficult stage of the race!  The Stage covers 130.6 miles with a total of 9,623 feet climbed during the Stage.  The riders will crest the highest point in the entire 6 day race - Cottonwood Pass at 12,128 feet above sea level and then will also cross Independence Pass at 12,095 feet before dropping into Aspen. 

2011 Gunnison "Queen Stage Start"

After the riders leave town, there will be a Strider Bike Race for children and auldts at the start line on Main Street.  Registration is at the Kids Zone Bike Booth. 
The Queen's Court Festival will continue until early afternoon.  Be sure and pick up your 2012 Bike Race souveniers before they're all gone!  You can watch the entire progress of the race until the racers finish in downtown Aspen on the Jumbotron right here in Gunnison!  Cheer on your favorite racer!

Stage 2 Race Day Finally Here

Today, Tuesday, August 21st, marks the start of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Race - and they're racing through Gunnison!
Stage 2 of "America's Race" starts at 11:25am, a short 76 miles west down the road in Montrose. Stage 2 will end in Mt. Crested Butte.  And Gunnison lies in the middle of that route!  Todays race totals 99.2 miles with a total elevation climb of 8,049 feet.  The racers are expected to come through Gunnison around 1:30 to 2:00 pm. 

Prior to the peleton racing through downtown, the "Queen's Court Cycling Festival" will open at 11:00am at the IOOF Park and on the 100 Block of East Virginia Avenue downtown.  The Queen's Court offers fun, food and entertainment.  Visitors can follow the progress of the racers on the huge jumbotron screen.  Food vendors will be set up as well as other product and service vendors.  You can a wide variety of race souveniers.  And - the kids can enjoy bouncey houses, a bike booth and much more. 
At 11:30am - watch the "IRON WRENCH" competition.  The best bike mechanics in Gunnison will compete to build a rolling bike - out of boxes of parts and a frame - all within two hours!  Come see what they come up with!
The racers will "scream" by on Main Street atound 1:30pm. 
At 4:30pm - enhjoy the live music of "Chris Daniels and the Kings". This nationally-known band out of Denver is known for their horn-based, rhythm and blues, funk, and rock'n' roll music.  And rockin' to their music is free!
At 7:00 pm - the Crested Butte Film Festival presents "Cycling Under the Stars".  Biking films, including the feature film "Chasing Legends" will be screened on the jumbotron. 
Come out and enjoy this epic race! 

Citizens Crit

A citizen's what??  Its the Citizen's Criterium Race & Fun Lap, presented by Western State Colorado University.  Local cycling legends have revived the circuit format for one of this week's cycling events.  

Gunnison Citizen Night Biking


Starting tonight at 5pm at the top of Escalante Drive Hill (behind the Escalante Fitness Center below the City's water tanks), there will be women's and Men's Open categories with different age groups.  The race will follow the same hill course of the USA Pro Challenge Racers!  They're probably a tad bit faster than most of the criterium participants! 
The women will ride 30 minutes plus one timed lap, the men will ride 45 minutes plus 1 timed lap.  Each field is limited to 50 riders and registeration is at www.bikereg.com 
Get out and try your biking skills against the challenging course.

USA Pro Cycling Race Teams

Sixteen world-class bicycle racing teams were announced this morning as participants in the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Race. 
The race starts in Durango on August 20th and ends seven grueling road biking days later in downtown Denver on August 26th.  The race passes through Gunnison on Tuesday, August 21st. 


USA Pro Cycling Racers Rounding the Tomichi and Main Corner
in Gunnison - August 2011 Race. 
(photo by Gregg Morin)

  The "Queen Stage" then starts in Gunnison on Wednesday morning, August 22nd before heading north on Highway 135 to Taylor Canyon and beyond before ending in Aspen that afternoon.
Levi Leipheimer, the 2011 USAPCC winner will be racing once again.  Cadel Evans, 2011 winner of the Tour de France will be cycling again this year.  George Hincapie - last year's 5th place winner - will finish his professional racing career by competing in this race.  Many Colorado cycling celebrities will be participating. 
For more information on the teams selected to race in this year's event, go to www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/teams

Ride the Rockies Start



"Workin' Progress" revving up the Ride the Rockies crowd



This year's Ride the Rockies Bike Tour start in Gunnison was a BIG success!  The 2500 riders and their support friends and families enjoyed the downtown festivities on Saturday afternoon and evening.  The City of Gunnison's bright yellow information tent was up and many volunteers answered a wide variety of questions for the visitors and promoted the big USA Pro Cycling Race later this summer.  The local band "Workin' Progress" entertained everyone with great music.  Food vendors and the local restaurants provided a delicious variety of "carb loading" goodies for the riders.  Most of the food vendors sold out by the end of the evening. The Gunnison Community School lawn was the site of the "tent village" on Saturday evening.  Potable showers and restrooms were set up for the riders' use.  Many riders limbered up for the long bike tour by riding in town and around the Gunnison Valley. 



Volunteer Shawn Meldrum answering
riders' questions about Gunnison



An opening ceremony, including remarks from Gunnison Mayor Jonathan Houck, took place at 7:30am Sunday morning before the riders headed west (into a strong head wind!) out of town on Highway 50, past Blue Mesa Reservoir, across the dam, over Black Mesa and ended the day in Hotchkiss.  Comments from the riders about Gunnison were very favorable!  We hope to see many of them back for vacations and biking adventures in the Gunnison Valley. 

Ride the Rockies Gather!

The participants in the 27th Annual "Ride the Rockies" Bike Tour gather in Gunnison Friday and Saturday.  The 442 mile road bike ride starts with an opening ceremony at 7:30am on Sunday, June 10th. The riders will then head west on HIghway 50 and then ride over Black Mesa next to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to Paonia.  The bike tour travels over five mountain passes, through two National Parks, and travels over the highest continuous paved byway in the U.S. (Trail Ridge Road) before it ends in Ft. Collins on Saturday, June 16th.
Some of the riders will be camping and staging at the Gunnison Community School lawn at the NW corner of N. 11th Street and West Spencer Avenue.  Others will enjoy the comforts of the local hotels and motels. 
The City of Gunnison and Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce are providing entertainment for the riders on Saturday, June 9th from noon until 9pm at the IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison.  The festivities will include rockin' music by classic rock band "Workin Progress".  Food vendors will include Inner Fire Pizza, Creative Catering, F-Bar BBQ, Lucky Dog's Gourmet Hot Dogs and of course beer.  The riders will have the opportunity to check out Gunnison's fine shops and sporting goods emporiums, enjoy the delicious and varied restaurants and cafes, sip some locally brewed coffe or locally brewed beer, and enjoy the laid back Gunnison summer vibe.  Locals are welcome and encouraged to come downtown and check out the action.
Ending the weekend events, it'll be time to kick back and enjoy the Gunnison Arts Center's "Sundays @ 6" free concert featuring "Doctor Robert" at the Legion Park Pavillion.  Bring your lawn chair or blanket to relax and revive.

Gunnison Named "Bicycle Friendly Community"

The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities and the City of Gunnison was named a SILVER LEVEL Bicycle Friendly Community!

League President Andy Clarke stated.."the City of Gunnison recognizes that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development." There are now 214 Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFCs) in 47 states across America.  The Silver BFC Award recognizes Gunison's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

City Manager Ken Coleman & Mayor Jonathan Houck Biking!

According to City Manager Ken Coleman, "The citizens of our community and City of Gunnison staff have worked relentlessly to create a safe environment for bicyclists and pedestrians.  Our Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee provides guidance in eduacation, enforcement, infrastructure, and events that promote this effort and are proud to have moved from Honorable Mention to Silver Level." 

Now - grab your bicycle and enjoy Gunnison - a nationally recognized Bicycle Friendly Community! 

Join the National Bike Challenge Colorado

Do you ride your bike to commute to work or school, for errands, for the health of it or maybe just for fun?  Join thousands of cyclists across Colorado and help log more than 1 million bike miles this summer.  The City of Gunnison, along with Gunnison Nordic, Gunnison Trails, LiveWell Colorado and several other organizations, is co-sponsoring the 2012 National Bike Challenge Colorado!   The Challenge runs from May 1st through August 31st, 2012. 

Gunnison Growler Bike Race 2011

How to participate?  Sign up at http://www.nationalbikechallenge.org/  It's easy and free.  Then log your bike trips to work, for errands or for recreation.  You can compete as a team, or as an individual - all for the State of Colorado.  Your transportation can be a road bike, mountain bike, townie, or even your kiddie strider bike!  You'll be helping the environment, your finances, your health, and just for FUN! Ride On!

Ride the Rockies

On Sunday, February 5th, The Denver Post announced the City of Gunnison is the host start City for the 27th Annual Ride the Rockies Bike Tour. Bicyclists from around Colorado and the country will gather in Gunnison on Saturday, June 9th and will head west out of the City on Sunday, June 10th for a 79 mile bike ride over the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to Hotchkiss. The Ride ends 5 days later on Friday, June 15th in Ft. Collins. Go to: http://www.ridetherockies.com/ for more information.

Bike Race City Hall Closures

City Hall Offices will be temporarily closed during the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Bike Race so that City employees can assist with street closures.

City Hall Offices will be closed:
Tuesday, August 23rd from approximately 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Wednesday, August 24th from approximately 9am to 10:30am

We are sorry for any inconveneince to our customers. Come out and watch the race!

Light Up Your Bike!

Light Up Your Bike for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge! This event will help build excitement for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to be held in late August.
Riders will decorate and light up their bikes, start at the Gunnison Arts Center Courtyard at 8pm on Friday, July 29th and then ride a 4 mile town bike circuit (mainly on the City bike lanes). The ride will end back at the Arts Center for music, a cash bar and light refreshments. This event is suitable for families.
Come out and show your support for biking, Gunnison, and the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Ride On!

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Volunteers

USA Pro Cycling Challenge is coming! The USA Pro Cycling Challenge (USAPCC) Bike Race makes it way through the Gunnison Valley on August 23rd and August 24th. The stage from Gunnison to Aspen, leaving downtown Gunnison at 10am on Wednesday, August 24th, will be the hardest, longest and highest of the entire race, summiting two 12,000 foot passes in one day. This race section has been named the "Queen Stage". This stage will certainly separate the true competitors from the peloton. Remember - at 12,095 feet above sea level, the oxygen level is only 60% of what they inhale at sea level.

Volunteers are needed for the Gunnison pass-through day, Tuesday, August23rd and for the "Queen Stage Start" on August 24th. If you are interested in volunteering, go to http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/ and click on "volunteer" . Fill out the form and you can volunteer for a variety of positions. For up-to-date information on the race, visit http://www.upccinfo.com/

This Weekend in Gunnison

While the weather has been an iffy combination of winter and spring, there is still a lot to do this weekend in Gunnison. The City of Gunnison Parks & Recreation 2nd Annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday at the Gunnison Community/Aquatics Center. Find more information on this event in the blog post below this one.

Also on Saturday is the City Bike Auction. The auction is conducted as a silent auction with written bidding beginning at 12 Noon and ending at 1pm. There will be bikes and other miscellaneous items to bid on. The auction will be at the Gunnison City Shops, 1100 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnison (at the west dead end of Virginia Avenue). Come out and find some great bargins!

Saturday at 9am - head on down to the Fred Field Western Heritage Center (at the County Rodeo Grounds) for the 1st Annual Gunnison Valley Gardening Festival. The event will include 30 exhibitors with informational diplays and demonstrations, food vendors and cooking lessons, live music and kids activities. The Festival is free to attend and is hosted by the Gunnison Valley Farmers' Market. For more information email your questions to gardenfestival20112sonic.net.

Tonight, enjoy dinner in one of Gunnison's great restaurants and then bike or walk (It's Earth Day today!!) to the Gunnison Arts Center at 102 S. Main Street to hear the Canadian-based acoustic ensemble "The Duhk's" in concert. They were nominated for a Grammy Award for their song "Heaven's My Home. The doors open at 7pm and for more information or to purchase tickets go to www.gunnisontimes.com After the show, enjoy a locally brewed beer or a mellow glass of wine at one of Gunnison's brew pubs, taverns or wine bars.

On Sunday, April 24th at 1pm, the American Legion will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt for the kids at Legion Park. The 0-3 year olds will hunt for eggs on the WSC field just east of Legion Park, the 4-6 year olds will hunt at the Legion Park Playground and the 7 to 9 year olds will hunt for their eggs on the park lawn west of the playground. Also, at 11:30am - the "Get Your Goat 4-H Club" will have a petting zoo in the park prior to the egg hunt. Happy Easter to everyone!