A classic rides through Nederland Top; Cyclists riding some of the hardest courses offered at the Buff Classic make it up Boulder Canyon Drive to Nederland by 8 a.m. Bottom, left; Snyder Street was closed to traffic as Tin Shed and Salto served cyclists as the first aid station for the Dirty Epic, Epic 75, and Buff Epic courses. Middle, left; Tin Shed’s masterful mechanics administer aid and advice to cyclists making it through the first leg of their courses. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER KELLEY[/caption]

Cyclists launched from Benson Field at CU Boulder campus at 7 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2022, and made their way up Boulder Canyon. By 8 a.m. the first group of cyclists came around the bend into Nederland as the sun chased the cold vapor from the surface of the waters of Barker Reservoir.

The patio outside of Tin Shed and Salto became packed by 8:30 a.m. with cyclists fully decked in their gear, grabbing water and a quick bite or getting their bicycles tuned up before tackling the next leg of their prospective courses.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic (BBC), an endurance bicycle event through the Front Range and beyond that is also the largest scholarship fundraising event in Colorado, having raised more than $3.4 million in scholarships for Colorado’s high school graduates.

The BBC officially started as an annual fundraising event in 2003 and was created by Bolder Boulder race director Cliff Bosley, who was named to the Running USA Hall of Champions in 2019. This year the event hosted seven road cycling courses, from the Little Buff at 14 miles to the Buff Epic and Century courses at 100 miles, as well as two gravel courses, the Dirty Buff at 45 miles and Dirty Epic at 60 miles. The BBC accommodates all kinds of cyclists with all kinds of bicycles, including E-bikes.

Tin Shed was a sponsor for the event as well as served as the first “aid station” as cyclists on the Dirty Epic, Epic 75, and Buff Epic courses climbed Boulder Canyon Drive and continued through Nederland. Tin Shed’s mechanics were available to help cyclists make the proper adjustments to their cycles before setting off on the rest of their runs.

Boulder Canyon Drive was closed to Westbound traffic from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. as the cyclists began the first leg of the Dirty Epic, Epic 75, and Buff Epic courses. Cyclists were directed by traffic flaggers to Tin Shed and then further up East 2nd Street, around the traffic circle onto Route 72 towards Ward.

The Dirty Epic is a 60 mile course with 33 miles of gravel and 7000 feet of climbing, taking cyclists through Switzerland Trail to the second aid station at Gold Hill before returning back towards Boulder.

The Epic 75 is a 75 mile course with a 5700 feet elevation gain that takes cyclists through Ward to Gold Hill, then to Altona and Hygiene, before looping back to Boulder by way of Niwot.

The Buff Epic is one of the most challenging courses of the BBC and is a 100 mile course with an 8,800 feet elevation gain. This course takes cyclists past Ward to Allenspark then doubling back to Ward and following the same route as the Epic 75 from there.

By 10:30 a.m. the last of the cyclists that were gathered outside Tin Shed had ridden through Nederland, just in time for the Farmer’s Market to open.

A Post-Ride Party was held at Benson Field, providing cyclists with a free beer from Avery Brewing Company, a catered pasta bar, and a complimentary massage. The BBC also provided free and secure bicycle parking for the post-ride event.

This year’s BBC was also sponsored by Elevations Credit Union, The University of Colorado Boulder, Community Cycles, University Bicycles of Boulder, and Wheat Ridge Cyclery. The BBC is organized by Ride Director Jenny Anderson, Faculty Director Paul Beale, and a dedicated group of Board Members.

The Buffalo Bicycle Classic supports over 50 resident students each year, providing $12,000 scholarships to those with a 4.0 GPA who are in financial need.