Ride Like a Pro During the New Pro Challenge Experience Citizens' Cycling Tour in Durango

DURANGO, CO--(Marketwire - Jul 11, 2012) - Recognized as a top biking community, Durango is hosting the start of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge Bicycle Race, featuring many of the world's best cyclists. New to the event this year is the first-ever Pro Challenge Experience, a citizens' bicycle tour that takes participants on a portion of the official course that the pros will ride when the race begins Aug. 20. 

Cyclists of all ages are invited to participate in the Pro Challenge Experience bicycle tour on Sunday, Aug. 19 in Durango. The Experience starts at 8th and Main in downtown at 7am and includes a loop of the USA Pro Challenge official race course. The citizens' tour then heads through Wildcat Canyon, over to Lake Nighthorse, and climbs up to Durango Mountain Resort via County Road 250 where the resort hosts a Finish Festival to celebrate the tour's total ride length of 45 miles. The Finish Festival at Durango Mountain Resort is complete with post-tour activities, celebrations and live music from 11am to 2pm. Those who desire an extended ride can return south on Hwy 550 and finish at the Fort Lewis College Festival.

The cost of the Experience is $65 and includes a commemorative shirt. Space is limited and participants can register at www.prochallenge.com/register. Shuttle transportation is available for riders and their bikes to town from Durango Mountain Resort and costs $15. Transportation reservations can be made by calling 970-426-7282.

The USA Pro Challenge, one of the world's most prestigious professional cycling races, will take place Aug. 20-26 and comes on the heels of the Olympics and Tour de France. The race will bring some of the world's top road cyclists to test their skills against epic terrain in Colorado. The first stage of the weeklong Pro Challenge Race takes riders from Durango to Telluride with a "Grand Depart" that begins in downtown Durango and includes a 6.5-mile racing loop around town on August 20. All the festivities surrounding this world-class event begin August 16 in Durango and include a mountain bike race, bicycle tour, craft beer and bicycle tour, street festival, live music performances and more exciting activities. 

Special lodging packages are available at Durango Mountain Resort and start at $89. Family lodging and adventure packages featuring the resort's most popular activities start at $51. For more information or to make reservations, call 800-525-0892 or visit http://www.durangomountainresort.com/usaprocyclingchallenge/.