WHAT TO BRING:

You don't have to bring anything really. There is food at the store near the starting line inside the Glen Cove lodge. But, it has a premium price being over 11,000 feet above town and 13 miles up a toll road. They have a gift shop with drinks, snacks, shirts, batteries, etc., a restaurant, and bathrooms. Bringing a cooler with wheels would still be a great idea! You can walk along the track's 1.4 miles at any time, but driving is limited to when heats are finished (10-15 minutes delays). The high elevation really takes a toll on a person hiking back and forth to get drinks and food all day and a place to sit would be nice. Also, a wide brimmed hat or an umbrella may come in handy, as well as extra phone/camera batteries. Bring some money (cash and card) for cool event shirts, posters, vendor items, and some of the donuts they make at the 14,125 foot high bakery at the top!

SPECTATING:

The Pikes Peak downhill is one of the best races for spectators! There will be a shuttle if you stay at Hotel Elegante. If you drive up, the first place to park is the Ski Area just uphill from the finish line. The Ski Area is the hub for all the action if you want to stay in one place. The parking lot has plenty of room, the event supplies portable toilets and it is a good place to see some fast riders and crazy crashes. The Ski Area will be full of sponsors/vendors and usually has an announcer and plenty of cheering fans to make the race super exciting. The race is friendly for all ages as there is plenty of hay to hide behind and tons of elevated land to get a good view. If you want to head up the hill and don't mind to walk, then snagging a spot at the Ski Area would be your best bet. Then, just start walking uphill corner by corner watching the action as you go.

There is a lot of action at every turn though! The top lot is a good place to meet all the riders, see the vendors, watch the drama at the timing/results table, and get some food at the lodge. The first couple of fast turns are just a short walk down the hill and the first one is shaded on the inside of the apex. If you want to see all the setups and talk to riders and crew, go up top. If you want to watch the fastest turn or walk up to the fastest point, park at the Ski Area.