Ned Overend and Todd Wells host first Durango Dirt Fondo

The legendary Ned Overend and his Specialized teammate, multi-time, multi-disciplined USA National Champion Todd Wells, are teaming up to present the first Durango Dirt Fondo. The two D-town locals are inviting 500 guests to join them in their backyard on September 12 for a mountain bike adventure that will feature challenging single-track that has served as training ground for the duo’s combined countless victories. The weekend also marks the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first ever mountain bike World Championships, won by Overend.

Todd and Ned’s Durango Dirt Fondo will offer 30-mile and 50-mile course options, each with on-course nutritional, mechanical and medical support and prizes awarded for KOM segments. The 50-mile Fondo will trace a cloverleaf loop around the city of Durango using four different trail systems connected by transitions of hard-pack bike path and roads, with the final stretch winding through Overend Mountain Park.

Course sections include segments from the 2001 World Cup, NORBA Nationals, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and Single Speed World Championships. Both courses will start and finish at the Durango Discovery Museum located on the bank of the Animas River where all finishers will enjoy a post race feed party. A 25th Anniversary Mountain Bike Worlds party will take place later in the evening.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit Ned and Todd’s favorite causes. Beneficiaries include Trails 2000, a local organization that builds and maintains trails and has been largely responsible for the growth of the trail systems; the Mercy Health Foundation, which supports Durango’s Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Registration for Todd and Ned’s Durango Dirt Fondo opens Monday and get there early because organizers expect it to sell out. The 50-mile long course will cap out at 350 riders; the 30-mile course caps out at 150 riders. Each registration package ($150 and $125, respectively) includes an exclusive swag bag, a finisher’s trophy, post-race feed party and microbrews, and an invitation to the 25th Anniversary of the Mountain Bike Worlds party.

Todd and Ned’s Durango Dirt Fondo is a production of the The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic began in 1972 and has run continuously on Memorial Day offering road and mountain bike events for all ages and abilities. The Iron Horse organization has also facilitated 17 national championship level events, the 1990 Mountain Bike World Championships, and the 2001 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is a Colorado non-profit entity.