NUE to make high-altitude Breckenridge stop

Round four of the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series, the Breckenridge 100, will happen this weekend on Sunday, July 22. Racers will tackle100 mile (160km) and 60 mile (100km) options, but only the 100 mile version will count toward the American series.

Breckenridge 100 racers will ride in solo and trio categories while other categories will compete solo or in teams of two. Three high-altitude loops will entertain pedalers with bristling singletrack, ski resort traverses, remote backcountry terrain, excellent views, and occasional mountain goats. Everyone will land in downtown Breckenridge for a post-race park celebration.

This high altitude event, which crosses the Continental Divide several times and stretches up over 12,000 feet (3658m) elevation, draws national racers for the NUE series and plenty of locals, too, of all ages and abilities. In 2006, Wendy Skean inspired many by riding her 100 at a modest age of 62.

Local endurance rider Josh Tostado will be making a run to defend his two-time title, but he'll have plenty of competition with Travis Brown and Tinker Juarez in town. Last year Harlan Price finished second, but Price will reportedly be racing US Nationals in Mount Snow, Vermont, also this weekend. Local Summit County singlespeeder Tim Graczyk rounded out the top three in 2006 while Karen Masson, Trish Stevenson, and local rider Cat Morrison graced the 2006 women's podium.

This event benefits the TAME Foundation, a Summit County, Colorado, non-profit Hippotherapy program. TAME uses horses as a therapy tool for children with disabilities. Race director Thane Wright took a personal interest in TAME through his relationship with a local child with cerebral palsy who benefited from TAME's therapy. Wright's brother also lives with cerebral palsy, so the cause hits close to home.

For more details on the race, visit www.warriorscycling.com. It's not too late to sign up for both distances.