Story by Chris Mortenson
Racers speed around the corner at the bottom of the course. (Photo by Chris Mortenson)
Every April on one Saturday afternoon, the hilly streets of downtown Silver City are shut down and transformed into a one-mile circular course for the criterion portion of the Tour of the Gila.
The race has become very popular over the years, attracting racers from around the world – including Lance Armstrong for the second year in a row – who wish to try and tackle the five courses of the challenging race.
Of the five race days devoted to the event, the criterion races are the favorite for people living in Silver City because they allow spectators to view a full day of racing, when they would normally only catch a glimpse of the race action on the other courses.
Categories
The day starts off with the 40 and over category who do 30 laps around the one-mile course, followed by the Men’s and Women’s 3, 2 and Pro categoreies. The pros do 40 laps (40 miles) around the course in under an hour.
Not only do the serious cyclists get to have their hands at the race, but the local enthusiasts also test their abilities on course during the citizen races. The citizen races are held before the Pros and welcome everyone from over 40 to 3 and up. The winners of these races receive cash prizes, gift certificates and sunglasses. This year’s citizen race had the first BMX bike win in the 13-16 category.
The Men's Pro start their descent down Broadway. Photo: Chris Mortenson
The course
The course is a one-mile circle. The riders start the race in the middle of downtown Silver City on the flat section of Bullard Street, then head up College Street and around Cooper Street,. which has a steep uphill and downhill section. They next take a left onto Broadway, all downhill to a sharp turn back onto Bullard, where they sprint to the finish line.
- Spectators anticipate who will finish first. Photo: Chris Mortenson
This year’s race was the biggest, with at least 600 participants. This event depends on more than 200 volunteers, who do everything from housing racers, to driving water trucks on the long courses, and helping out wherever they are needed.
The New Mexico State Police and local fire departments are also on board to help the race run as smoothly as possible.
The Tour of the Gila is a very important event for the town of Silver City. It attracts people from all over who, in return, help out local businesses and Silver’s economy.
- A spectator watches the Men’s Pro. (Photo by Chris Mortenson)
