Months and months ago, Brown Cycles Chris hired me to do some historical research. He wanted to find out what route the turn-of-the-century Midland Road Race took to Glenwood for its annual event.

Off to the library I went and put my nose into the microfiche files to read the old newspapers. What I found out was that local history books have had it wrong all along. Most depicted the only known race photograph of the 1915 winner, Harold Gesberg and his bicycle, at the foot of the Main Street Bridge in Glenwood Springs.

History was written that the contestants rode the 100 miles from Grand Junction to finish the ride in Glenwood. What I found out was that the riders may have ridden the 100 miles to Glenwood to train before the race but that the official timed race route was from Basalt to Glenwood.

The Colorado Midland advertised that for just $2.50 you could purchase a round-trip ticket that took the riders, families, friends, the Grand Junction Band and bicycles to Basalt. The train “kept pace with the riders” as they cheered the contestants on. In 1914, the undefeated champion, Rex Barber won with a time of 1 hour, seven minutes and 31 seconds. At the finish line, the day promised “to be a hummer.” Picnics, baseball games and other celebratory events would greet the contenders. The return trip home for the out-of-town boys was by train.

Last Sunday I took part in a hybrid re-enactment of the Midland Road Race and Italy's L'Eroica Road Race. L'Eroica means “The Hero” in Italian and has been a tradition in Italy for over a hundred years. At the turn of the century, “The Big Thing” across the continents was to race bicycles. Road race fever was evident in the Grand Valley then and continues today.

Six fearless riders left from Main Street Sunday, May 15, 2011, and traveled the Riverfront Trail to Palisade, hopped on the Interstate and turned off at Plateau Creek and continued up the creek to Collbran. From there past the Vega Reservoir turn-off to “The Top” which was the rutty dirt roads on the Silt cut-off, through the pastoral ranchlands to the frontage road then to Apple Valley, New Castle and on to Glenwood, where riders clocked in their finish time at the front desk of the historic Hotel Colorado.

Although there was no band, no baseball game nor games of skill, there were margaritas and a dip in the pool. The next day, in keeping with the tradition of one hundred years ago, riders boarded the train with bikes in tow and rode home.

What kept this ride authentic was the way in which the winners were chosen. A scoring system was devised by where points were given for authenticity in outfit, bicycle, food carried and any other unforeseen event that a rider might encounter on the way.

Race organizer Chris Brown had this to say about his experience: “As I rode home from the train station with my cap, goggles, and knickers I sensed something was different. Although I was only gone two days, I felt that somehow the town had changed. It seems to have gotten smaller. I turned down Main Street and noticed buildings and colors and lines I hadn't seen before. I don't know if it was pride or accomplishment or the lenses on the goggles, but after spending 100 miles with ‘The Hero,' something was different.”

Here's what this year's “Hero,” Nate Wilson had to say: “I sensed it too. That and a wool rash. It was as much as a ride down memory lane as it was a race. It was, however, still a race. The idea was not necessarily to win by time (although that helped) but to stack up points and win by total points. The idea was to get retro, 1898-1916 retro. Points were awarded on the outfit worn i.e. wool knickers, the bike ridden (the older the more points), gearing (single speeds received more points than geared), clipless/flat pedals, old-fashioned food (no wrappers), no technology (iPod, cell phone, GPS), etc. It looked more like a costume party than a bike race in the beginning.

“The ride was truly beautiful with great weather and scenery. At times it felt like we were in another country. Many people know how much I really don't like riding a road bike but I will do this again. I did it on a single-speed mountain bike with slicks just to stay true to my roots (not to mention I got some good points for it).”

The only woman to ride was Mary Pfalzgraff of Delta. Mary rode one of her most beloved possessions, a reproduction Pederson Bicycle. The odd looking big wheeler grew stares from passersby. Her costume was impeccable and authentic. She rode with style.

Chris Brown gained extra points by eating his tuna fish lunch from the can with his bike tool. Nate wore argyle socks. I had an outfit too although points didn't mean anything for someone in the sag wagon. I just like to play dress-up.