Cycling fans celebrate Colorado Springs leg of Pro Challenge

Cycling fans from Oregon to Colorado Springs were out in droves for the USA Pro Challenge.

Thousands celebrated by attending the post-race fan festival held across from the Antlers Hilton hotel in downtown Colorado Springs.

The race drew fans from from all across the nation. One family from Oregon said they took advantage of the fact that their college student lived in Denver to follow the Pro Challenge and tour Colorado with the cyclists.

Other fans from Colorado Springs took part in other fun activities in the downtown area that drew on the popularity of the race.

“One of my friends was in the Not So Pro Cycle event for the Ritz, the Party Rock Anthem. They did not win but they are not losers,” said Laura Weatherington, who was out Friday evening enjoying the festival.

Others were there for the real race because they are genuine fans of the sport.

“I took a lot of pictures,” said Mike Mayers, who showed up to the fan fest after the race was over. “A lot of people really are into cycling and that’s really nice for our city.”

Mayers and others were also able to pick up promotional materials and enter into contests while at the festival. Mayers came with his friend Jolene Barry and her 8-year old daughter.

“She was really excited,” said Barry. “She could hardly wait to get out of school, come down here and see what we could see.”

The race moves on to Boulder and Denver to close out the challenge this weekend.