The spring brings out the weekend warrior in all of us. Come Friday, the highway hums with southbound cars carrying full racks of multi-colored, multi-purpose biking machines, and the smiling faces of escaping cyclists within.

This weekend, a biking exodus begins right in town. A small group of cyclists will forgo cars for a two-day, 120-mile road ride to Monticello, Utah. They’ll jump in the saddle by the Court House on Saturday morning, and head out for a multi-day bike ride in honor of fallen firefighter and former local George C. Cain.

In its seventh year, the George C. Cain Memorial Bike Ride continues to recognize Cain and fellow firefighters who perished in 9/11.

“I grew up in New York City, and went back in 2002 and visited ground zero,” Dave “Crockett” Rowan, event organizer, recounts. “I have a bunch of friends who are firefighters and my dad was a fireman, so on my way home I decided that I was going to do something for these guys.”

He started the bike ride, and dedicated it to Cain.

“[Cain] lived out here for around six years when he was waiting to get on the Fire Department in New York,” Rowan says. “He was a real nice guy and continued to come back to ski.”

In the ride’s early years, Wendy Brooks, former Telluride Academy executive director, brought widows and children of 9/11 firefighters to the event. The event’s proceeds went to the firefighters’ families, and the ride raised the spirits of visiting families.

“It was a real healing experience for those involved.” Rowan said. “The New York City Fire Department left behind something like 1500 kids.”

Later, the Elks became involved, and brought a crew of NYC firefighters to participate in last year’s event. This year, the event is in transition logistically.

“It’s small, but I just keep it going,” Rowan says. “It’s like ‘Field of Dreams,’ if you keep doing it, people will start coming.”

There’s good reason to come. The cause is super worthy, but so is the route. Taking the 120-mile trip from Telluride to Monticello, the ride follows rural and scenic roads through the West End, including towns like Norwood and Naturita, Paradox Valley, the La Sal Mountains and Utah’s canyon country.

“The West End of the county has really spectacular roads,” Rowan says. “I like to get people involved who’ve never done multi-day riding.”

The ride will split into two stages, stopping at the halfway point in Gypsum on Saturday night. Then, it’s on to Monticello, for another full, 60 mile-day of riding. Two vehicles will transport the necessary gear, food and water for participating cyclists, one in front and one behind.

The ride captures the experience through photographs, which are sent to Cain’s Fire Department in NYC, along with T-shirts and stories.

“It’s a good event, and well worth doing,” Rowan says. “It’s all in memory of George and his brothers in the fire department of NYC.”

For more information, contact Rowan at 327-4939.

If you only have one day to dedicate to riding, check out Mission to Ride in Montrose.
The road bike tour offers 30-, 40-, 60- and 100-mile routes in the Black Canyon National Park as well as the rural stretch between Montrose and Olathe. The ride benefits the Montrose Medical Mission, a free medical clinic, and celebrates cycling in Western Colorado. For more information, visit www.missiontoride.com. The ride will take place on Sunday, May 18.