 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (February 2020) |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | July |
| Region | Mount Evans, Colorado, USA |
| English name | Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb |
| Nickname(s) | Mt. Evans Hillclimb |
| Discipline | Road race |
| Type | One-day race |
| History | |
| First edition | 1962 |
| Editions | 54 |
| First winner | Stuart Baillie and Adolph Weller (tie) |
| Most wins |  Scott Moninger (USA) (6 times) |
The Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb or Mount Evans Hill Climb is a bicycle race situated on Mount Blue Sky near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Begun in 1962,[1] the race has been held every year since except for three cancellations. In 1981, it was renamed in honor of five-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer at the age of 23.[2] The race is 27.4 miles (44.1 kilometers) in length and ascends 6,590 feet (2,010 m).
The race takes place on the highest paved road in the United States, starting at an altitude of 7,540 feet (2,298 meters) and terminating at 14,130 feet (4,306 meters), 130 feet (39 meters) below Mount Evans' summit.[3] Due to the altitude, the event is sometimes marked by inclement weather.
Over the years, the race has attracted significant professional riders. Riders come from all over the United States and in the past the race has had riders from France, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia compete. The age range of the participants is from nine to eighty-five years. The race is also supported by volunteers from the Colorado cycling community who help marshal, drive support, officiate and work the picnic. The event includes categories for all levels of racing and encourages riders of all abilities. Between six hundred and a thousand riders compete each year in a number of categories.
In 2024, the name of the race changed to Blue Sky Hill Climb, due to the name change of Mount Blue Sky.[1] The race will not occur in 2025 due to road construction.[1][4]
- ^ a b c "Mount Evans Hill Climb gets a new name — but the ride won't return in 2025". The Denver Post. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "FROM INSIDE PELOTON: CLIMBING MT. EVANS". Velo. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Road to summit of Mount Blue Sky, highest paved road in North America, will not open in 2025". The Denver Post. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-07.