‘HOW CYCLING SHOULD BE’
Riders prep for Tour de Los Alamos
Much like the city itself, the Tour de Los Alamos is one of those hidden secrets that often goes overlooked.
But entering its 45th riding on July 30, the Tour de Los Alamos (tdlabikerace.org) is the longest continuously run bicycle race in the southwest, said director Cyndi Wells.
“It has a long history,” she said.
A part of USA Cycling and the New Mexico Bicycling Racing Association, the Tour attracts high-level riders, called category cyclists, and even the occasional pro, who will be competing for a top purse of $300 for men and women, said Wells, who took over as director three years ago when it appeared the race was in jeopardy.
“I always thought that this is what cycling should be, especially New Mexico cycling,” she said. “It’s a great course, a tough course. It’s got climbing and all kinds of different things. It’s always welcomed beginners in the citizen’s race, as well as the category riders.”
Even though she struggled with a near-fatal disease last year, Wells was determined to keep the show on the road.
“It’s a gem and you just can’t let something like that go away,” she said. “Race directors over the years have put a lot of effort into putting it on. I hope it’s around for another 20 years.”
The race starts and finishes in Downtown Los Alamos, with the citizen’s ride making a 27-mile loop and 2,000 feet of climbing, the women’s category riders doing two loops and the men’s category riders three loops.
It weaves through the city, curls along Department of Energy property as it weaves Los Alamos National Laboratories — even passing through a checkpoint — drops down to pass by Bandelier National Monument, climbs through White Rock and back into Los Alamos.
“First of all, I like the loop that the race uses, the Bandelier Loop, said perennial men’s contender Fortunato Ferrara. “The route is for strong riders. There is never a flat section. It’s always up and down. The hills are not very long and steep, but they are relentless. And the descents are not steep enough where you don’t have to pedal.”
A native of Italy, Ferrara is a scientist working for a small startup bio-tech company in Santa Fe. This will be his eighth riding of the Tour and he’s already notched four victories.
“I think the state has great roads, but the racing community is not that big and there are some very good riders here,” Ferrara said. “It would be great if people got used to seeing us racing.”
Gretchen Selby of Los Alamos won the women’s category race last year, which was a thrill even though numbers were down because Wells didn’t have the energy to properly promote the race.
“I’ll take it,” Selby said of the victory. “I’ve never had that feeling of being in a bunch up and then of going through the finish line first.”
The challenge is what makes the race worthwhile. “It is a hard race that has a beautiful setting and it has got varied terrain,” Selby said. “There a lot of flat, windy road races in New Mexico. And a lot of pure climbing, hill climbs, but this has some flat, has a lot of hills.”
For Selby, 43, cycling is a good outlet
“I have a lot of emotional stress in my job as a psychotherapist,” she said. “Cycling is a wonderful way to purge all that.”