Pikes Peak Hill Climb - spectate without driving or camping

[powers]

I have never watched the Pikes Peak Hill climb in person, but since we have MRA entries this year and it is paved, I figure I will give it a shot. My dad might be down here, so that takes out any option for camping or being stuck on the mountain in a car all day.

I know about Fan Fest and will already be there.
Can we take the Cog to the top and watch?
Is there an area near the start line to spectate, either the race start or pits?

Thanks.

[asp_125]

The very top IIRC is closed to spectators - they used to cut it off at the "W"s. If you make it up to the start area before they close the roads, you can walk, hike up to the first few corners. Mountain bike up the trails is another way to get into the race area.

[sag]

yes you can pay extra for a pit pass which grants you access to the pits and starting line. edit* doesnt seem like a pit pass is extra this year. then you can hike up as far as youd like to watch. plus they have food and stuff at the base. im not sure how often the shuttle operates to take you to the start from lower down but you wont be stuck if you park somewhere lower and walk or shuttle to the start. IMO thats the best place to be. you get to check out all the cars up close, launches etc... being high up top just means the cars are slow, the weather blows, and you dont even see the cars that break or dont make it.

its very lax at the start/pits, you can wander just about anywhere haha

http://director.usacracing.com/ppihc...ator_Guide.pdf

[Ninja2]

http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forum...hlight=quattro

[tecknojoe]

Excellent info. I'm going this year for sure. Who else is in?

[sprtbkbabe]

I'll be there spectatin!

I'm psyched to see our MRA riders kick ass

[sprtbkbabe]

Good Luck to all of the drivers and riders this weekend!

Do eet! Applehans/Sorensen/Conser

http://director.usacracing.com/ppihc...titor_list.pdf


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pTT...layer_embedded

[sprtbkbabe]

Looks like 3 sidecars will be competing. One is hand built by Hans Schulz.

Yep, that's a BUSA!


Attached Images

[asp_125]

Nice! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C423H...eature=related

240HP .. electric bike!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EI6I...eature=related

[grim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C423H...eature=related

[aerofaze]

FANFEST is Friday, Aug 10 from 5-10PM Tejon St, downtown Colo Spgs. Always a lot of fun!

[Ninja2]

FANFEST is Friday, Aug 10 from 5-10PM Tejon St, downtown Colo Spgs. Always a lot of fun!

Ladies, don't forget about the Firefighters Chili Cook-off
Also a great opportunity to thank them for all the work fighting the horrible Waldo Canyon and other CO fires this year.

[Ninja2]

I'll be there spectatin!

I'm psyched to see our MRA riders kick ass

Where do you plan on spectating? I will be at the start/paddock area.
Not sure how that works because this is my first time.
Would be nice to see you again.
And who are the MRA racers? Will they have the MRA.race numbers on their bikes?

[Chief Stinky]

I'll be there, somewhere below the treeline. Last year was at Brown Bush Corner.

[sprtbkbabe]

Where do you plan on spectating? I will be at the start/paddock area.
Not sure how that works because this is my first time.
Would be nice to see you again.
And who are the MRA racers? Will they have the MRA.race numbers on their bikes?

I'm hoping to get up at least most of the way up and park it where they let me.

Glenn Conser/Mike Applehans/"Hot" Carl Sorensen.

I know Mike's # is 125 (had to add a 1 to it). Other rider's numbers are on this list above

I'll PM you with my # and we can meet up

[asp_125]

This: be prepared to drive up really early and get in line for the gate. It's like the Indy 500, some families have been camping out for years in the same spots - coolers, chairs the works. IIRC when I went (back in 2000 ish) we were in line before 5am. I managed to get way up to the W's on practice days but race day I only got as far as the section below the campgrounds. Back then it was dirt and the fun was sitting near the corners as the cars came by sideways, dust flying. (The SCCA Pro Rally cars)

(PS - watching the sunrise over the plains, above treeline, is amazing)

[Bueller]

Glenn and Carl retain their MRA #'s of 54 and 217 respectively. They are all 3 running the "Exhibition Powersport" class.

[Chief Stinky]

What ASP said, if you've never been, it's an experience, an all day thing. Plan to get there ~4 to 5am, as early as you can stand, and plan it like a camping trip. You'll be there all day, as you're locked in. Take sunscreen, hat, chairs, food/lots of water, your camera, and toilet paper (they'll have portapotties, but just in case). Mebbe a good radio if you want to follow the action. I chuck it all in the car and get out what I need when I need it.

It's a fun time, but it's a long day.

[Mother Goose]

Are they showing any of it on the tube?

[madvlad]

Going for the first time out there with a few friends, heading out there Saturday afternoon! Pretty stoked!

[asp_125]

Another option - park near the start, hike up as far as you can. Watch a couple of classes from a corner, work your way back down (might have to bushwack to stay off the road), catch some more classes go by from a different corner, and by the end you are closer to your car than others that sat there all day.

[FZRguy]

How 'bout parking in Manitou Spgs and hiking up to the top of the mountain via Barr Trail? It's 13 miles so you need around 3 hrs to get to the summit.

[maktastik_jr.]

How 'bout parking in Manitou Spgs and hiking up to the top of the mountain via Barr Trail? It's 13 miles so you need around 3 hrs to get to the summit.

you are way too motivated bro lol

[FZRguy]

I would try it if I were going to avoid the crowd...good workout too. You can take the train down after the race if it is running that day.