The Pikes Peak APEX presented by RockShox is not only attracting a strong professional field of racers for the 4-day mountain bike challenge on the slopes of Pikes Peak, but it is raising funds to improve the trails in the Pikes Peak region. The first-year event continues to draw interest for in-person racing in spite of format changes to ensure adherence to the event’s COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Collaborating with land managers and like-minded advocacy groups, the Pikes Peak Outdoor Alliance (PPORA) Stewardship Fund brings attention and action to the Pikes Peak region’s trail system and surrounding lands for multiple uses and users. The Fund supports both the existing and the potential system with priority given to ensure race venue areas and trails emerge more sustainable and better connected for enjoyment by all users in the greater community.
“Park and trail use and the desire to play outdoors has grown in our region,” said Becky Leinweber, Executive Director of PPORA. “With the pandemic, even more people have come to value outdoor recreation for its mental and physical health benefits. PPORA is excited to launch this Fund, collaborate with terrific partners and make a direct impact to local trails that are so important to our community.”
The Pikes Peak APEX has already donated $6,000 for trail work to be done before the event. The majority of this year’s funds were allocated to the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services who will secure and direct a professional trail contractor for work in Palmer Park, site of Stage 1. In addition, the Fund allocated donations to the Guardians of Palmer Park (Friends Group), Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates (MWTA), and Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) for their continued trail work in Palmer Park and support of the Pikes Peak APEX. Additional money is being set aside for trail improvements after the event.
The Pikes Peak APEX presented by RockShox inaugural event will be held September 24-27, 2020. This unique event features four days of riding in Colorado Springs, Colorado – Olympic City, USA, including in-town parks and backcountry stages on the slopes of Pikes Peak. The mission of the event is to drive economic impact to the area in order to improve the trails and open space in the Pikes Peak region for the lasting enjoyment of its residents and visitors. The APEX, a Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance project, is operated by Sports Strategies, part of Tourism Strategies, LLC. Please go to PikesPeakAPEX.com for more information.