Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo brings a trio of bike rides to Silver City

During this race, it’s quite possible one might witness a record-setting endurance cyclist riding alongside someone in their golden years.

It’s a wide demographic that participates in the Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo, an annual event in Silver City that offers cycling enthusiasts a more laid-back alternative to the renowned Tour of the Gila.

“We have professionals, but we also have a lot of amateurs that ride. The Gran Fondo for us is a fun ride,” Jack Brennan, race director, said.

“It is timed, but it’s people of all different calibers. We see an older population than we generally see at the Tour of the Gila. We have folks in their 20s and 30s, but a lot of folks in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s — which is really wonderful. Instead of racing, and you have to race at the Tour of the Gila for four or three days, this is just a one-day event. And you can take your time.”

There might even be a few people, Brennan says, that use an electric bike for their route.

“It’s a totally different mindset,” he adds. “We do have people that come down and really ride hard and kind of race it.”

That doesn’t mean it’s an easy race, however. It’s a hilly course no matter whether one chooses the Gran Fondo 80-mile ride (9,336 feet of climbing), the 60-mile Medio Fondo (6,810 feet) or the 30-mile Nano Fondo (2,747 feet). All three courses follow New Mexico Highway 15 on the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway, which begins in Silver City and ends with an afterparty at the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House in Pinos Altos.

According to tourofthegila.com, “the mountainous routes use the same curvy road that Tour of the Gila racers travel during both the Inner Loop Road Race and Gila Monster Road Race.” The event also helps to raise money for the Tour of the Gila in the spring. Brennan expects that approximately 100 people will sign up for the various rides.

Last year, the Gila Monster Gran Fondo gained a famous participant from the cycling community when Lael Wilcox joined the race. The Alaska native is a well-known ultra-endurance bike racer who holds multiple world records and is an advocate for cycling participation. Last summer, Wilcox cycled around the world in 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes to set a women’s Guinness World Record for fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. A few months later, she attended the Gran Fondo by invitation, and her presence proved to be a hit among the other participants.

“She had a really good time,” Brennan said. “And she’s wonderful — always a smile on her face. And she talks to all the riders that ride with her.

“So it’s just a real enjoyable time. You get out and ride with a famous athlete who gives a lot back to cycling. So it’s really wonderful. It’s a wonderful association we have with Lael.”

That association will continue this year, as the event has been named in Wilcox’s honor. She’ll be in attendance once again, and the festivities for the day conclude at the Silco Theater in Silver City with the film “Lael Rides Round the World.” Tickets for the documentary cost $5.

“It should be a beautiful weekend,” Brennan said.

Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo brings a trio of bike rides to Silver City