Tour of the Gila, a world-class cycling race in southwestern New Mexico, begins this week

Expert cyclists from around the world will descend on southwestern New Mexico this week for the 38th Tour of the Gila, a world-class event taking competitors through a grueling, 400-mile course.

The Tour of the Gila, recognized by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and USA Cycling as one of the top cycling events in the country, begins Wednesday and goes for five days.

Nearly 350 cyclists will pedal their way across a variety of landscapes, from the vibrant streets of Silver City — the hub of operations — to the mountains of the Gila National Forest.

The race will feature cyclists from 16 different American states and 16 different countries representing two different groups: the 140 amateurs, who race as individuals; and professionals, who are on one of 29 teams of seven to eight cyclists.

Seventeen racers hail from New Mexico — 15 will compete as amateurs, and two in the professional division.

One of the cyclists from the Land of Enchantment is Fortunato Ferrara, an experienced, 46-year-old Italian amateur, who is making his 15th consecutive appearance at the famous cycling event.

“I love the challenge of racing here,” said Ferrara, who has six Tour of the Gila awards. “In general, almost all over New Mexico, there are great places to enjoy your bike riding and mountain biking, like Santa Fe National Forest (or) Ruidoso in the south.”

Ferrara, who trains daily and cycles nearly 120 miles per week from his home in Santa Fe, points out that the sport is a physically demanding and challenging, but also rewarding.

“It’s one of those kinds of sadistic sports, because even if you’re strong, you suffer no matter what,” he said. “You’re faster when you’re suffering, and it really gives you a sense of accomplishment.”

In an effort to get the word out, Tour organizers partnered with Doug Campbell, a former Tour of the Gila racer and host of the “Leaders of Enchantment” podcast.

The podcast focuses on influential New Mexicans, highlighting their experiences and accomplishments, and Campbell said he’ll be at the event to interview New Mexican cyclists.

“It also comes back to my personal mission here in New Mexico,” he said. “We tend to get a lot of bad news, despite the fact that there’s a lot of positive things happening in the community. That really makes New Mexico unique. The Gila event is an example of one.”

Joanie Griffin, the marketing and public relations coordinator for the podcast, noted the Tour of the Gila is a mix of challenge and beauty.

“It’s great cycling in Silver City because it’s so hilly,” she said. “The Tour of the Gila is showcasing the best of New Mexico, which is why (Campbell) is doing his podcast — to shine a national spotlight on what we have here. A lot of people don’t know how great New Mexico is when it comes to cycling.”

While the professional teams cycle 400 miles, the individual competitors will bike roughly 300, sans the race’s final stage.

Despite the distance difference, both the professional teams and individuals are competing for money, cycling points (as recognized by the UCI and USA Cycling) and a one-of-a-kind bowl, designed in the style of the Mimbres, an ancient people who settled in southern New Mexico around 1000 A.D.