The 2nd annual D100 saw 120 riders from around the southwest enjoy the Four Corners scenery. The 2003 turnout was more than double the 2002 turnout. There were lots of familiar local faces plus many travelling into the Four Corners. The furthest registrant travelled from Houston, TX to enjoy the cooler summer temperatures of Colorado.

As Lance Armstrong and the US Postal team were celebrating their 5th victory of the Tour de France, the 2nd annual D100 commenced under the cool morning skies in Durango. Thanks to the Durango Police Department, riders left Durango with a lane of traffic dedicated to the D100. The early start also helped to minimize the traffic out of Durango and on Florida Mesa. As anticipated, the mostly downhill ride to Farmington was a breeze. Most riders were through Farmington in less than three hours. Thanks to the City of Farmington, a lane of traffic was also dedicated to the D100 at the city limits. The inclusion of two additional routes in 2003, an 84-mile loop and a 50-mile one-way to Farmington, proved to be great compliments to the 100-mile route.

Mother nature offered a helping hand with a gentle tailwind for those riding the 84 and 100 mile loops back to Durango. The planned detour off the La Plata Highway and through the town of Marvel was a welcome change of pace. The sleepy town of Marvel, accustomed to the occasional passing horse or cow, was put back on the map with the Durango-100. Marvel was a marvelous rest stop for the riders. One rider characterized the Marvel rest stop as “valet parking” with Marvel volunteers filling up water bottles and peeling bananas for riders. After final refreshments in Marvel, riders enjoyed the scenic and primarily downhill final run through Wildcat Canyon into Durango.

Although the D100 was not a race, the lead group returned in a blistering 3 hours 57 minutes (Dave Harris, Brent Winebarger, Sean Peck, Ivan). Not far behind were Joe Burtoni at 4:05, and Greg Howell and Ralph Winebarger at 4:18. Angela DesCognets was the fastest woman at 4:20 who finished with Russell DesCognets. Most 100-mile riders finished the loop in under 6 hours and all riders were done in under 8 hours.

Once again the Colorado and New Mexico Highway Departments swept the shoulders of the route prior to ride day making for some of the cleanest shoulders around. Thank you! The addition of SAG support in 2003 proved to be very helpful for those with flat tires, mechanical difficulties or simply running out of gas.

Building on the success of the 2002 and 2003 Century, the comments and suggestions received will make the 2004 D100 even more memorable. Mark your calendar and register early! And thank you for helping make this a successful and injury-free cycling event.