La Strada La Plata
Durango's Iron Horse Bicycle Classic weekend adds a gravel option through the San Juan Mountains, a dirt-road alternative to the famous road race.
The vibe
Iron Horse's gravel alter ego
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is a Durango institution built around the road race to Silverton, but La Strada La Plata gives gravel riders their own reason to show up that weekend. It routes through the San Juan Mountains on dirt instead of pavement, trading the road race’s peloton dynamics for solo grinding through some of the best scenery in southwest Colorado.
Expect real mountain terrain — climbing, altitude, and roads that shift quality depending on recent weather. This isn’t a beginner’s introduction to gravel racing, but it’s a rewarding alternative for riders who’d rather spend Iron Horse weekend off the highway.
Durango goes all-in for Iron Horse weekend, so the town is buzzing with cyclists regardless of which event you’re there for. Plenty of bike shops, breweries, and fellow riders to swap course notes with once you’re off the bike.