I heard on radio today that Lance Armstrong met with the governor of Colorado this morning to bring back the Coors classic! Man I hope that happens. It would be HUUUUGE!
Wouldn’t talks with Coors be a little more important in bringing back the Coors Classic?
Not sure if they would call it the Coors Classic or the Tour of Colorado or something… That’s just what everyone knows it as.
Molson Coors Classic - no longer just Coors. Add in Miller or maybe Blue Moon Classic, Coors Light Classic, Killians, Ice House Classic - on and on
Actually I remeber it as the Red Zinger Bicycle race, it is what got me started in cycling.
Nice. When was that?
Back in the late 70’s before it was renamed the Coors Classic, I grew up just outside of Boulder and loved going to watch them race the Wall. We would also go to some of the Mountain finishes and watch the total carnage the Europeans would put on the Americans. I still have a Coors Light racing Jersey and Jacket given to me by Peter Coors (they don’t fit anymore). My sister was his secretary for awhile. He is actually a pretty good cyclist (or was in the 90’s when I met him) and I’m sure he will be invovlved if the race comes back as the Coors Classic.
late 70s, early 80s.
That’s what inspired me too. Connie Carpenter (mom of Taylor Phinney), Jeannie Longo (yes, she was racing way back then at the world level!) and Canada’s very own Karen Strong (how could you not be a world class cyclist with a surname like that???). I think I still have magazine and Velo News clippings of those races!
I think they still have the race posters up at University Cycles in Boulder, Greg Lemond cut his teeth there too.
I was just talking to a friend of mine who said you can still see some faded writing on certain roads from the race near Vail. 
I’m wondering when it would likely take place during the season?
The Movie American Flyers was based on the race, you can see alot of the course in the movie. The American teams got a big start from the race as well, The 7-Eleven team was always big there. Man you are making me nostalgic for the race.
Cool!
You will like these?
The funny thing is I remember people complaining about the roads being closed, yet we were able to watch world class athletes for free. Just like today people do not understand how great it is to be able to see these athletes without having to pay hundreds of dollars to sit in a billion dollar stadium crowded in like sardines.
The funny thing is I remember people complaining about the roads being closed, yet we were able to watch world class athletes for free. Just like today people do not understand how great it is to be able to see these athletes without having to pay hundreds of dollars to sit in a billion dollar stadium crowded in like sardines.
Yep. Watching it was great, I lived in Wheatridge just down the road from Golden. We went every year for about 5 years, had a blast each time. We used to belong to the same country club as the Coors family, swam with Peter Jr. and David on the summer team. (Blatant name drop 
)
John
I lived in Arvada and Graduated from Pomona HS in 1982.
I lived in Arvada and Graduated from Pomona HS in 1982.
Just a couple years ahead of me. Graduated WheatRidge in 85. First tri was…Monument? in 84.
John
Denver East '85.
I loved this race. It would be great and would draw much bigger crowds if someone resurected it. Though, on th few trips I’ve made back to Colorado in recent years it looks like some of the classic stages have been eaten by sprawl. I’m thinking particularly of the old Morgul-Bizmark course. I don’t know if the roads have remained unchanged as I haven’t ridden in the area but there sure are a lot of plastic houses where the route lay. Regardless, plenty of terrain to resurrect the first great American stage race.
Yeah that loop is still very popular. Most rides for me longer than 30 miles involve ‘the wall’ on the way back home. Man that thing is a killer on mile 80 of a hot summer day’s ride.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/superior/695186522