Many of the cyclists in the event each year are local or in close driving range within the Four Corners states. Still, the IHBC gets riders each year from an average of 44 states and five countries as it has continued to grow in popularity. Making an announcement to postpone early was critical for those with travel plans, and Sippy hopes to make an announcement on a new date as early as possible. The aim is to be respectful of other events already scheduled.<\/p>\n
Sippy said the most likely new date for the IHBC would come in September. Organizers are eager to get a 49th edition in the books in 2020, as much planning has already gone into a big 50th anniversary celebration for 2021.<\/p>\n
With the leaves starting to change in the southern San Juan Mountains, a September date could be a beautiful ride for the thousands who pedal up and over Coal Bank and Molas passes along U.S. Highway 550 on the road to Silverton.<\/p>\n
Looking for a silver lining, five-time IHBC men\u2019s road race champion Ned Overend, 64, said riders will now have more time to train and prepare for this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be way easier to train for it if you are focused on that event,\u201d Overend said. \u201cThe weather up there will be way better than when trying to get up in the passes in April. Early May, it can be beautiful in town but it can be snowing and raining in the passes. The nice thing about training to get up the passes in April and early May is there is less traffic on the roads and you are not dealing with cars. If you\u2019re training in summer with all the tourism traffic on the roads, I would actually be doing less riding on the passes and probably be doing Missionary Ridge Road and things like that. Long climbs on dirt roads to avoid all those cars.\u201d<\/p>\n Overend acknowledged the cycling calendar is starting to become quite full in the fall with many of the sport\u2019s largest events postponing in hopes of avoiding a 2020 cancellation. For some of the top pros, that will make race selection more difficult.<\/p>\n Sippy said he didn\u2019t want to downplay how the virus has had an impact on every local business, and he knows the IHBC plays a big role in helping fill hotels, restaurants and shops in both Durango and Silverton. A September date after the summer tourism season could help local businesses during a traditional shoulder season.<\/p>\n Between the 2015 Gold King Mine spill in the Animas River, the dry winter of 2017-18 that hurt ski tourism, the 416 Fire of 2018 and now the coronavirus, Durango has taken its fair share of blows.<\/p>\n \u201cThis town is a strong town,\u201d said three-time mountain bike Olympian Todd Wells, who is now assistant race director of the IHBC. \u201cWe have an amazing community that pulls together. Though it sucks we are all having to go through this stuff, it helps make us stronger in the long run. Of course, we\u2019d all rather have it be rosy and perfect all the time. But we will come out this for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s IHBC was to be the first without race co-founder Ed Zink, who died unexpectedly in October<\/a>.<\/p>\n Asked what Zink would have done or said regarding the current situation, his wife did not hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a prudent decision for the community,\u201d Patti Zink said. \u201cEd was always very open to changing things over 48 years. The event has started in different places, ended at different places in Silverton. We\u2019ve had different events. Ed added mountain biking when that became big. We\u2019ve had a time trial, then we didn\u2019t have a time trial. Ed was always really good about being innovative and watching trends and willing to change. He would be at total peace with the fact that, yes, this is an unfortunate situation, but in the whole scheme of things, we have to look at the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n The move falls in line with many other cycling events across the country. On March 18, USA Cycling announced it had pulled permits for all of its sanctioned events through at least May 3. It was estimated that more than 700 cycling events would be affected. The entire spring season for Fort Lewis College cycling, including the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships scheduled for May 8-10 in Georgia, already was canceled<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though the IHBC is not a USA Cycling sanctioned event, Sippy believes it was important for the IHBC to follow directives of the nation\u2019s governing body for bicycle racing. He was on a conference call Tuesday with race directors from 14 other events across the western United States and said each is eager to learn from each other. After 48 years, Sippy feels strongly the IHBC can survive this but knows many others will not.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the kind of thing that can put a special event out of business for good,\u201d Sippy said. \u201cWe only have one time of year to take in our revenue. Our doors are not open every day like other businesses. A lot of events will be put at risk for the long term. Everyone wants to look at each other and follow what others are doing so we are all still in business a year from now. Cycling is a special industry and a big outlet for folks. Some events might not make it through this. We are trying to be diligent and methodical in our decision making around it to make sure we do.\u201d<\/p>\n