Inaugural Bike Race to Take Off

Durango is adding one more to its list of biking options in the area with the inaugural Durango Derby. A four stage mountain bike race for pros and amateurs alike. Drivers along US Highway 550 have switched once again as construction work continues along that route. And the Durango Kennel Club is offering rattlesnake avoidance training this Saturday at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Make sure to fuel up at the 76th Kiwanis Pancake Day on the way. You're watching the Local News Roundup brought to you by Happy Pappy's Pizza and Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware. I'm Connor Shreve. An all new mountain bike stage race is set to kick off Saturday, September 23rd. The Durango Derby has been developed to address the recent decline in active mountain bike races that deliver top level racing across the country. It features four stages showcasing Durango's in town single track for a total of 44 miles of racing. A $10,000 total cash prize will be split among the top riders in the pro men's and women's categories. $3,000 for first, $1,250 for second and $750 for third. Registration will be open until the event and pros and amateurs alike are encouraged to enter solo or in teams of up to four. On Friday, September 9th, traffic along US Highway 550 switched onto the new 550 frontage road for the foreseeable future. The change is to enable crews to move the existing highway 550 and construct the connection for the newly built section of southbound US 550, North and South of County Road 220. With construction still in place, make sure to abide by posted speed limits and directions during the construction process. Hiking in the Southwest means encountering all sorts of wildlife, some less friendly than others. Durango Kennel Club is offering rattlesnake avoidance training this Saturday, September 16th to help keep your dogs safe while exploring. Led by professional dog trainer, Terry Chandler, dogs will learn how to identify rattlesnakes by scent, sound, and sight, and know to avoid them. With more than 30 years of experience, Chandler uses live snakes to introduce dogs in a controlled setting with the use of an e-collar to simulate a snake bite to reinforce the lesson. The cost of the training is $100 and is not a regular class offering, so make sure to take advantage to save vet bills of over $300. The Kiwanis Club of Durango invites you to join them for the 76th Pancake Breakfast this Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. All you can eat ham, pancakes, eggs, the works. All proceeds go to support programs in the Durango community that supports families and children. Tickets are available online at the Kiwanis website, children 12 and under eat free. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shreve.