From Pat McDonaugh/Summit Cycling Productions

The 4th AnnualPikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb Presented by the Broadmoor will take place this Sunday, July 21st .  The Hill Climb includes a USA Cycling Race for licensed cyclists. As well as a Fun Ride open to anyone wanting to challenge themselves.

The course begins just above the Crystal Reservoir. The riders climb for 20km (12.4 miles) on one of Colorado's most beautiful roads that provides both amazing views and unrelenting challenge.

Video interview with Leroy Popowski following the 2010 ride

Photo gallery from 2012

The Fun Ride participants will have a one-hour head start on the professional and amateur racers as they will leave the start area just after dawn at 6 a.m.

The USAC races will go off in 3 waves beginning at 7:00am.  Last year's Pro Men's Champion, LeRoy Popowski will be back and is hoping to better his winning time last year of 1 hr. 8 min. and 36 seconds.  With the right conditions Popowski believes he can break the hour.

"So much of it depends on the weather. There is really no way of planning on what will happen."  stated the Colorado State Champion. "I have ridden the race three years and every time the conditions are different.  The only thing you can count on is it will be a very tough ride!"

Though Popowski is the reigning Colorado Hill Climb Champion he is not a full-time professional cyclist. He is an optometrist working in Colorado Springs. Prior to starting his practice Dr. Popowski served in the Army including a deployment in Iraq.

LeRoy Popowski is one on an expected 500 cyclists that will be challenging themselves on America's Mountain this Sunday.

There is still time to register for the ride, On-line registration closes on Wednesday evening at 11:59pm.  For more information go to http://www.coscycling.com/.