A Weekend of Road Racing, Criteriums, Community, and Colorado Cycling Energy
Spring is here, the roads are clear, and it’s officially time to dust off your road bike—because the United States Air Force Academy is hosting the 2026 Front Range Cycling Classic on April 11–12. Whether you’re a seasoned racer, a first‑timer looking for a challenge, or someone who simply loves the energy of a fast crit, this is one of the best cycling weekends of the year.

The event features two full days of racing:
Saturday, April 11: Thunderbird Road Race
Sunday, April 12: Airfield Criterium
Both events run 8 AM–4 PM, with food trucks on site from 10 AM–3:30 PM (“Food trucks will be available both days from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM near the staging area.”).

🏁 Saturday: Thunderbird Road Race
A classic Colorado Springs course inside the Air Force Academy, the road race features a 10.38‑mile circuit with 857 feet of climbing per lap (“featuring approximately 857 ft of climbing and descending per lap”). Expect sustained climbs, fast descents, and rolling terrain that rewards smart tactics and strong legs.

Categories range from Masters 55+ to P/1/2, with distances from 31 to 62 miles depending on field. Juniors receive 50% off registration, and collegiate racers are scored separately (“Juniors: 50% off… Collegiate racers will be scored separately for RMCCC conference points.”).

🔥 Sunday: Airfield Criterium
If you love speed, intensity, and the thrill of tight corners, Sunday is your day. The Airfield Crit takes place on the USAFA airfield, with a controlled-access venue and a fast, spectator‑friendly layout (“Participants and spectators will access the race venue through a controlled gate located at the entrance to the airfield.”).

The pro races on Sunday afternoon are especially electric—if you’re not racing, this is the perfect event to bring friends, cheer on the riders, and soak up the atmosphere.

🙌 Not Racing? Volunteer or Come Watch
Even if you’re not pinning on a number, you can still be part of the action.
Volunteer
The event needs course marshals, registration support, and general race‑day help. Volunteers receive 50% off registration if they decide to race (“Volunteers and juniors get 50% off registration”). It’s a great way to support the cycling community and get behind‑the‑scenes access to a major event.

Spectate
Crit races are some of the most exciting events to watch in all of cycling. The pro fields on Sunday will be fast, aggressive, and full of action. Bring a chair, grab food from the trucks, and enjoy a full day of racing.

📝 Important Details
Dates: April 11–12
Times: 8 AM–4 PM
Location: Falcon Stadium & USAFA Airfield
Registration: Must preregister online (“There will be no day of registration due to base access restrictions.”)

Base Access: All spectators and coaches must register to receive a QR code (“SPECTATORS AND COACHES MUST ALSO REGISTER IN BIKE REG TO RECEIVE A QR CODE”).
REAL ID required for entry (“REAL-ID compliant identification required”).

Lots more info in the attached PDF.