Just when the world couldn’t handle one more COVID-19-related cancellation, the 13th Annual Durango Fall Blaze heated up on September 26, 2020. For this year’s virtual event, which invited participants to organize informal socially distanced rides wherever they were, nearly 100 riders took to the trails and roads around Durango, the Front Range, and beyond to raise money for the Fort Lewis College cycling team. 

From gravel to tandem, bikes of all types were ridden across a variety of distances and terrains. Durango locals Joey Pinkerton and Lindsey Nicholson rode the farthest at 115 and 101 miles, respectively, while alumnus Alex Martinek (Business Administration, ‘16) climbed the most vertical (over 10,000 feet). For their feats, each received Osprey Seral lumbar reservoir packs, while Drew Mitchell and Keith Ashmore won RockyMounts MonoRail hitch racks for their amazing #durangofallblaze Instagram photos. 

Thanks to all who supported the event, alumnus Dan Brown (Geology, ‘87), and an anonymous donor, who matched every donation, the FLC cycling team raised more than $37,000. These funds directly support the FLC Cycling Scholarship, the FLC Cycling Club Fund, and some of the best young student-cyclists in the country.

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"Overall, the 2020 Blaze was a smashing success. We are excited for next year with, hopefully, some in-person events and maybe some new rides, so mark your calendar for Saturday, September 25, 2021. We’d love to see you!"

DAVE HAGEN

“Overall, the 2020 Blaze was a smashing success,” says Dave Hagen, FLC cycling director. “We are excited for next year with, hopefully, some in-person events and maybe some new rides, so mark your calendar for Saturday, September 25, 2021. We’d love to see you!” 

This story was published in the latest FLC Voices print magazine. Read more from FLC Voices online!
 

FLC VOICES WINTER 2020/21