On a beautiful Saturday morning 574 rider set out to climb Colorado’s Mount Evans as fast as possible at the 54th Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Gran Fondo.  Reaching the 14,271ft (4350m) summit on a bike is a herculean task for any cyclist, from professionals to novices.

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MOUNT EVANS IN THE APTLY NAMED ROCKY MOUNTAINS. ©TEAMEVERGREEN

Starting in Idaho Springs, Colorado, USA the course climbs 6,915ft over 27.4 miles. The course record is held by former pro rider Tom Danielson at 1:41:20 (2004), while multiple world-champion Jeannie Longo holds the women’s record at 1:59:19 (1996).

This year the fastest rider was Keegan Swirbul (FLOYD’S PRO CYCLING) who finished in 1:43:52 in the Elite/Pro Men’s category.

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RIDING INTO THIN AIR ON MOUNT EVANS. ©TEAMEVERGREEN

The fastest women was novice racer and University of Colorado distance runner Tabor Scholl, who finished in 2:12:31, over 3 minutes ahead of the best Pro women.

Using only his arms and upper body strength, Brandon Lyons won the handcyclist category in 4:18:34.

Mark Ertmer won the open-to-anyone Gran Fondo category, besting a field of 255 riders in 2:17:28, while Cori Orr was the first Gran Fondo women across the line at 2:58:22.