Threats made to disrupt bicycle tour

BOULDER - Alex Hearn has one word to describe the Sunrise Century: fun. It is not competitive and its primary purpose is to give people the chance to ride a bicycle through some of the prettiest canyons you will find anywhere.

So imagine his surprise when he learned this year's Sunrise Century was being targeted for civil disobedience. Hearn started to learn about it when fliers started showing up in mailboxes in the area of Left Hand Canyon north of Boulder. The flier carries a title of: "Civil Disobedience, July 25th Block Dangerous Cyclist Day, Boulder, CO."

The Sunrise Century, which is in its third year, is expecting 1,500 riders to travel from Boulder to Lyons before turning south along the Peak to Peak Highway and descending through Left Hand Canyon. Riders have the option of riding a 75 or 100-mile course.

The flier specifically mentions the new state bicycle safety law scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 5. The law will require motorists to keep their cars three feet away from cyclists. It will also allow cyclists to ride two abreast on roads, so long as there is no traffic.

The flier goes on to say, "On July 25th in celebration of drivers' rights many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the 'Sunrise Century.' Please use judgment during this civil disobedience."

The Sunrise Century had already contacted the Colorado State Patrol and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to provide traffic control and support for the ride. In light of the threat to disrupt the event, law enforcement officers may have an addition role to fill.

"Are you going to have people out there that do try to cause trouble? Maybe. Are we going to be out there to deal with them? Absolutely," Trooper David Hall with the Colorado State Patrol said.

Hall understands the frustrations that can arise between cyclists and motorists, but says both sides need to show restraint.

"This is not a new issue. I understand the frustration that motorists feel sometimes when they encounter bicycles on the road and I also understand the frustration that bicyclists feel when a motorist is belligerent to someone on a bicycle. This issue is a two way street," Hall said.