Tacx i-magic/Fortius RLV Colorado Iron Hourse Classic 07

Course information
Sample the typically American atmosphere and experience the vast, wild and overpowering natural environment of Colorado. The 119-km route from Durango to the ski village of Ouray runs through the town of Silverton. The well-known 'Iron Horse Classic' takes place along part of this route. This pleasure ride continues along the Million dollar Highway through the Red Mountains to the finish line. It is a tranquil journey. Now and then a lorry races along the wide asphalt highway. The first section of the trip is flat, ideal for warming up. En route to Silverton you ride through moutain-side spruce woods and climb the Coal Bank Pass and the Molas. Both mountains are at elevations higher than 10,000 feet. It is an easy ascent since the gradients are uniform and not too steep. Then you pass the highest point, the Red Mountain Pass. The view across the jagged mountaintops of San Juan is spectacular. The road then branches off and becomes the famous Million Dollar Highway (20 miles). This road got its name from the bottom layer of asphalt that is mixed with ore that contains gold. The road begins to wind dramatically. You cycle through the Red Mountains, rich in iron, along the arrow-straight wall of Uncompahgre Gorge, through tunnels and past pelting waterfalls. The 285-high Box Canyon Falls is close to the finish line. The water plunges rapidly down the waterfall, across dark limestone into a deep gorge. This film was made in June 2004