By Papi Jack at the bar and Jason Nichols from Jess’ Place
Every Fourth of July, Woodland Park hosts one of the largest unofficial sporting events in Colorado.
The Winnebago 500.
Nobody registers.
Nobody buys a ticket.
And absolutely nobody wins.
The starting line begins down in Cascade, where the travelers climbing out of Colorado Springs and the Front Range begin stacking up behind motorhomes, travel trailers, motorcycles, pickup trucks, boats, bicycles, and enough camping equipment to establish a small civilization.
From there, the course climbs Ute Pass, rolls straight through the middle of Woodland Park, and—on a really good holiday—stretches all the way to Wilkerson Pass.
The drivers stare ahead with the grim determination of NASCAR professionals.
The locals sit at side streets waiting for an opening that may not arrive until Labor Day.
Making a left turn becomes an act of faith.
Crossing Highway 24 requires courage, timing, and possibly divine intervention.
So come visit Woodland Park this Fourth of July.
See beautiful Pikes Peak.
Breathe the mountain air.
Wave to the friendly locals.
And bring a sandwich, because you may spend most of the holiday behind a Winnebago towing a Jeep towing two bicycles.
Welcome to the Winnebago 500.
Gentlemen, start your generators.
