U.S. Pro Challenge will be a challenge for Boulder traffic

Planning to head into Boulder Saturday to cheer on riders in the U.S.A. Pro Cycling Challenge? If so, you’d better put the emphasis on the “planning” part of your trip, because the city is expecting something like 100,000 spectators to hopelessly jam its already famous downtown gridlock to witness the finish of the race’s Stage 6. Add in road closures and an unknown number of folks who will be riding their bikes to the event and you have the ingredients for an unprecedented traffic headache.

But Boulder has been preparing. RTD is adding expanded bus service into Boulder from surrounding cities in an effort to reduce the number of cars on the roads, they’ve established temporary park-n-bike locations on the fringes, and they’ve produced an interactive map that will be updated with road closure information, parking locales and the race route.

If you’re going, here are some tips the city suggests you heed:

• Map your route in advance and know when and where roads are closed;

• Arrive early and plan to spend the day in Boulder;

• Identify your preferred viewing location, and be flexible;

• Dress for changing weather;

• Bring water and wear comfortable shoes;

• Bring cash for parking, bike corrals, and the festival – no credit cards will be accepted for parking or bike corrals.

Click here to view the entire press release (PDF), with detailed information about bike corrals, shuttle service, parking fees and other information.