By 1990, the organizing committee of Durango bicycle enthusiasts hosted 1500 participants in seven bicycling events over the three-day event. For mountain bikes there have been cross country races, hill climbs, downhills, trials, trail rides, team races, and even a unique event called the Roostmaster. Over the years there have been several additional events added to the classic вЂњtrain raceвЂќ including criteriums, circuit races, road races, tours, and BMX races. National Team coaches often use Iron Horse results to select the best racers in the country. The course from Durango to Silverton never changes so races of the great 1970s can be compared with races of today. The Iron Horse has been a very strong developmental event for young riders and nearly every American to win an Olympic medal or to compete in the World Championships has raced in Durango. And familiar faces are always waiting since many people return year after year to the 'best race we've found anywhere'.

Each year hundreds of riders feel the thrill of descending into Silverton and looking to see if the train has arrived there before them.

In recent years, participants have come from every state and several countries to ride the famed Iron Horse course. It is an ideal early summer meeting of the riders from each of these cycling centers, a chance to bring home the glory to their own communities. It's been all uphill since then, with the Iron Horse become truly one of the classic bicycling events in the Western United States.Дurango is centrally located between Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. In 1972, a group of 36 riders decided to celebrate the first run of the train in the spring by accepting the challenge. Tom was waiting at the station when the train arrived. While the train took the shorter, gentler route (with limited speed), Tom pedaled up over the rim of the old volcano and descended the mining town of Silverton.

As the train came by the house, the steam whistle screamed and Tom climbed on his trusty old steel framed ten speed. One day Tom challenged Jim and his train in a race to Silverton. Tom was a young bicycle enthusiast who grew up alongside the railroad tracks to Silverton. Jim was an engineer on the D & R G W railroad, which had run the steam, powered locomotive between Durango and Silverton since the 1880s. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic was the brainchild of Tom Mayer and his older brother Jim.

2001 iron horse bike