COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Pikes Peak APEX, presented by RockShox, a four-day mountain bike challenge that will take place Sept. 23-26 at various locations in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, will impact several streets, parks and trails. Approximately 200 cyclists are expected to take part in the event, which will start at 8 a.m. daily.
Course maps and more information on the Pikes Peak APEX, a project of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) that aims to strengthen the outdoor recreation industry for the Pikes Peak region, is available at PikesPeakApex.com. This event is made possible in part by $50,000 from the City’s Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART). The sales tax, 2% for lodging and 1% for automobile rentals, is used to attract visitors and enhance the region’s economy.
Members of the public can expect the following impacts during the race and are encouraged to utilize the alternate trails suggested below that have been prepared by the Trails and Open Space Coalition, Hiking Bob, and the PPORA.
Thursday, Sept. 23
Paseo Road and access to parking within Palmer Park will be closed from 5 a.m.-5 p.m.; however, the park will remain open to the public. The event will extensively utilize the park’s road and trail system, including the off-leash dog area in Yucca Flats. The city highly encourages dog owners to leash their dogs if they do utilize the park.
Trail alternatives: Ute Valley Park, Pulpit Rock, High Chaparral Open Space, and Sondermann Park
Saturday, Sept. 25
Racing begins at 8 a.m. in America the Beautiful Park next to the Park Union Bridge. The community is invited to watch the start of the race and stay in the park afterward to enjoy the APEX Outdoor Festival and Expo. There will be rolling closures on 21st Street from 8-8:30 a.m. to allow riders to cross the road. Additionally, downhill traffic on Gold Camp Road should expect delays from 8:15-9:10 a.m. as cyclists ride up Gold Camp Road. Uphill motorcycle traffic on Captain Jacks Trail is not allowed between 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Non-participants should use caution, and if not spectating, strongly consider avoiding this area during the race. The race will end by 3 p.m.
Trail alternatives: Intemann Trail, Red Mountain, Iron Mountain, Ute Pass Trail and Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Sunday, Sept. 26
The race again begins in America the Beautiful Park and will head southwest along the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and Bear Creek Trail. As racers approach 21st Street along the Bear Creek Trail, there will be rolling closures on 21st Street from 8-8:30 a.m. to allow riders to cross the road. From the park, riders will cross Bear Creek Road and Gold Camp Road to High Drive and also use the Captain Jacks, Spring Creek, Columbine and Buckhead trails. Uphill traffic on Captain Jacks Trail is not allowed between 8 a.m.-noon.
Non-participants should use caution, and if not spectating, strongly consider avoiding this area during the race. The race will end by noon.
Trail alternatives: Stratton Open Space, Chamberlain Trail, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, and Section 16 accessed from Red Rock Canyon Open Space