race under a sunny, cloudless Ruidoso sky.
Tour de Ruidoso: A Good Cycling Event for the Area
A young baseball player once complained to his hitting instructor that the pitching machine wasn’t delivering the balls where he liked them to be.
The instructor said to the student, “Young sir, if you want to become more productive you’re going to have to learn to take what is offered to you, make do and capitalize on it.”
This statement could just as well be applied to other sports, as well as our personal lives and local economic growth potentials.
Ruidoso, with its friendly climate, topography, altitude and scenic wonder offers possibilities not yet fully tapped or wholly considered. One such prime example is the sport of sanctioned, competitive cycling – e.g., the upcoming cycling event the 10th Annual Tour de Ruidoso starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the MCM Elegante. It will conclude at 3 p.m.
The terrain, altitude and weather are made to order for the sport. The local amenities, ample accommodations and hospitalities are already in place and only await the influx of racing enthusiasts.
Not known to most, are the impressive demographics that accompany competitors in the bicycling race world. There are nearly 65 million persons who take part in this activity, making the sport larger than either golf, skiing, tennis or snowboarding combined. Twenty-four million adults are considered cycling enthusiasts and have an average income of $57,100 and an average household income of $74,000. They annually spend $5.3 billion on bikes.
prepare to begin a grueling competition amidst the beautiful panoramic
Ruidoso skyline.
Active outdoor recreation combined contributes $3.8 billion yearly to New Mexico’s economy and supports 47,000 jobs across the state.
Find a need and fulfill it: When you consider the advantages Ruidoso has to offer the sport of cycling it seems like the two could be a perfect fit and the Tour de Ruidoso is one such facet of bicycle racing that fits the bill perfectly.
This mountainous 100-mile event will pedal off at an altitude of 6,900 feet and the competitors will endure some of the most challenging cycling routes in New Mexico while savoring the wondrous panoramic vistas of the region. Several climbs of eight percent gradient are on the route. This “century” race is for intermediate and advanced cyclists. The Tour de Ruidoso race offers options for those who don’t choose such a long competition – the 100k (approximately 62 miles) and the 45-mile contest. All alternatives will have the same 8 a.m. start time.
As for the spectators, in addition to viewing a top-notch cycling contest amidst the fascinating scenery of the greater Ruidoso area, it offers wonderful possibilities for amateur and professional photographers alike.
This cycling event will start and finish at the MCM Elegante Lodge and Suites, formerly known as the Lodge at Sierra Blanca.
the 100-mile-long race entrants.
Afterward, it’s back to the starting line where green chili cheeseburgers will be given to the participants as well as custom T-shirts reflecting their support and participation for this non-profit event.
“Last year we had about 240 entrants in the Tour de Ruidoso,” Co-Event Director Craig Maldonado said. “We’ve had some repeat winners in the past and the competitors come, mainly, from Texas, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. The race is gender-represented with about a 60/40 men to women split and the competition is becoming regionally recognized because of the degree of difficulty. Many entrants from out of town stay in Ruidoso for two nights, which helps the local business owners a lot.”
For entry fees and registration information please go here.
—Michael Curran
