Latest News – March 5

Snow + Fat Tires = Leadville’s Mineral Belt Mayhem!

There’s nothing like piles and piles of fresh snow, followed by a clear, starry Colorado night to get a bunch of fat-tire enthusiasts to the start line. So when you spot all of those headlamps riding down Harrison Avenue under a full moon this Saturday night , you’ll know its just The Cloud City Wheelers, along with dozens of other riders setting out on the next snowy course in the race series. 

Leadville’s Mineral Belt Mayhem cyclists gear up for a night race. Photo: Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.

The Leadville Winter Mountain Bikes Series will continue this Saturday, March 7 with the Mineral Belt Mayhem, an 11 mile loop on the Mineral Belt Trail at night! Registration starts at 4 p.m. at Leadville’s local bike shop, Cycles of Life at 309 Harrison and it’ll cost you $20. The race starts at 6:15 p.m. and no doubt there will be a record numbers of racers for this popular, ever-growing segment of mountain bike racing . . . in the snow!

Headlamps burn bright against Harrison Avenue’s neon. Photo: Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.

The next – and last – race in the series will be the East Side Epic on April 18. So if you haven’t joined in the fun this year, grab your fat bike and winter gear, and get out there.  With the current conditions and more snow on the way, the last race should live up to its name: EPIC!

Lead Vegas Comes Alive for Ski Joring Weekend 

Well, if it’s a festival weekend in Leadville, you can be sure that there will be some nightlife in old Lead Vegas. Of course, you’re likely to find those Ski Joring cowboys, and spectators tearing up the dance floor over at the Elks Lodge on Saturday night. Country Rock favorite Jones and Raine will be kicking up the dust starting at 8:30 p.m. for the Annual Ski Joring Dance. The public is welcome and there is no cover charge.

But if you’re “in-it” for the weekend, if you’re looking to wear out those dance shoes, and shake that money-maker till there’s not a dime left, then The Scarlet is the place to be. Chuck and Lee’s commitment to keep nightlife in Lead Vegas ALIVE will reign supreme on the corner of 4th and Harrison for Ski Joring weekend.

Friday night kicks off with Hayes, Epp and Bones and you know that Leadville’s “old guard” will be out for this classic rock show, because these musicians never disappoint!

Saturday night at The “Scar Bar,”  looks like the billing for the true neon strip, as three acts are on the marquee. Starting at 9:30 p.m. get your funny bone moving with a set from Comedian Dillon Narcissi. Yep, can’t recall the last time that happened, but he’s gotta have the chops just to get up and be funny in front of a bunch of crazy cowboys who’ve been racing horses on the Harrison Avenue snow all day!

The music and dancing will start with Ye Ol’ Dirty Bastards, taking the stage at 10 p.m. for some classic rock tunes.

And while your Mama used to tell you that nothing good ever happens after midnight, she’ll probably be proven wrong this Saturday night when local favorite’s Leadville Cherokee kick up with a Full Moon Midnight set that’s sure to be talked about for weeks. And no doubt, they’ll be playing some great tunes off their new CD, How To Build A Fire.

Now, if you find yourself on Sunday afternoon, watching that last horse, rider and skier take that last run, and you’re still not quite ready to give it up, you are invited to “return to the scene of the crime” for more good fun at The Scarlet. There will be an Open Jam from 5 – 9 p.m. with local musicians.

So, there you have it, your Lead Vegas report for the Ski Joring Weekend. Have fun, stay safe, and remember don’t drink and drive. We’d tell you to call a cab, but there are none in Lead Vegas . . . really gotta fix that!

Nordic Knockouts in the Dark: Winter Fun!

Friday of Ski Joring weekend is spent moving and hauling truckloads of snow to build the magnificent race course and jumps.  But before the BIG races get started on Saturday, you’ll find a hearty and skilled group of Nordic skiers who take advantage of the freshly laid snow in downtown Leadville.

The Harrison Nordic Knockout Sprints will take place under the rising full moon on Friday, March 6. The competition happens between 7th and 8th Streets on Harrison Ave. Races start at 7 p.m., with sign-up at 6:30 at Melanzana.

Leadville’s Harrison Nordic Knockout Sprints take place on Friday of Ski Joring Weekend! Photo: Julia Martinez.

The competition is a double elimination with two skiers starting and the fastest racer advancing to the next round of competition. Entry fee is $3 for a 400 meter sprint. Many of the local high school Nordic skiers will tip-up to the start line and always fare quite well, marking for many, the last race of the season. To keep up with skinny-ski news, connect with the Leadville Nordic website  

Fast-paced Nordic sprints under the cover of darkness on historic Harrison Avenue: Leadville Winter Fun! Photo: Julia Martinez

Annual Paintball Biathlon Canceled for 2015

The Annual Paintball Biathlon held at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center during Ski Joring Weekend has been canceled. 

How About Dinner and A View for a Good Cause?!

Okay, so you’re going to be in Leadville Saturday night and looking to do something different for dinner. Something delicious, of course, but maybe something for a good cause as well.

Saturday Night Dinner Fundraiser at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center at 5:30 p.m. Good food, good cause!

Then head on out to the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for the Lake County Project Dream 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) after school programs’ fundraiser dinner and silent auction.  All proceeds of this event will be used to continue programming for youth this summer and next fall especially for the drama and science programs. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (children under 5 are free).  You can purchase your tickets at the Lake County Intermediate School office or by calling Susan Fishman at 719-293-0115 or Kristal Bertonneau at 719-293-5363.  This will be a fun-filled and beneficial evening. 

About 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC )

The 21^st CCLC is a federal grant received by the Lake County School District to provide academic and enrichment programs after school and in the summer for K- 12^th grade students and their families. 

The 21st CCLC provides academic and enrichment programs for K- 12th grade students and their families. In this picture students participate in the egg drop.

The grant for 5^th-12^th graders ended in December 2014 and the group of dedicated educators has been funding programs with smaller grants, donations, and fundraisers. 

They have applied for a new 5 year grant and will be notified soon. The K-4^th grade grant is in its third year and funding for the final years is reduced by 20% so that programs begin the work of sustainability.   The programs have consistently served over 500 students in Lake County each year.  Offerings include homework help and tutoring, woodshop, music production, Mad Scientist, Lego Robotics, art, fitness, drama, dance, soccer, cooking, guitar, piano, and much more.  Daily nutritional snacks are provided by Food Bank of the Rockies and transportation is provided in the evening.

Shelter Dog Shuffle Saturday, The Seventh

Leadville Dogsled Champion Steph Dwyer reported to Leadville Today that even though the ever-popular Mt. Massive Mush isn’t happening this year, there will be the annual Shelter Dog Shuffle to raise some money for the Leadville/Lake County Animal Shelter.

The Shelter Dog Shuffle is a fun ski, run, walk, snowshoe with your dog race with all proceeds benefiting the shelter and  the local spay/neuter program, Planned Pethood.

The event will be held this Saturday, March 7 starting at 9 a.m. There will be newly added fun, with  a couple of dog skijor events.  

For more info, please Call Steph at 719-486-3522.