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Steamboat Springs — Riding in a peloton - a large group of bicyclists packed elbow to elbow - can be intimidating for a first-time road racer. Fortunately for those interested in taking that next step in competitive cycling, Saturday's Gore Pass Road Race provides an excellent chance to gain race experience.

"It is a great race for the seasoned road racer, but it is also the perfect opportunity for rookie road racers to get their feet wet in the road-racing scene," said Barkley Robinson, a local cyclist and overall point winner of the Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series pro/am division. "Beautiful course, smaller fields and a course profile that breaks up pelotons pretty quickly."

Gore Pass Road Race divisions have staggered starts from 10:30 to 11:05 a.m. from the Wolford Campground, about six miles north of Kremmling on U.S. Highway 40. The 43-mile course heads over Gore Pass on Colorado Highway 134's freshly paved asphalt to a turnaround just shy of Toponas, and then back to the finish line at the Gore Pass summit at 9,527 feet. Some men's divisions will complete a second out-and-back lap for a total of 74 miles of riding and 6,000 feet of climbing.

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club's cycling program has co-promoted the Gore Pass Road Race in each of its four years. As a race host, program director Tom Davis urged supporters and fans to volunteer, particularly as course marshals and in follow vehicles. Anyone interested should contact Davis via e-mail at td43bear@yahoo.com.

The Gore Pass Road Race is an American Cycling Association-sanctioned event, and membership is required. However, a one-day membership can be purchased on site for $5. The race is the closest ACA-sanctioned regional series road race to Steamboat.

Each race category group is limited to 80 participants, so racers are encouraged to register at www.bikereg.com. For more information on pricing and event details, visit www.cyclingevents.com/gorepassrr. No road closures will be in effect.