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Man vs. Machine

By Justin Stabley Special to GetOut

The age old battle of man versus machine will be put to the test this fall. At the end of September, cyclists from all over the world will converge in northern Arizona to contest their grit against a Grand Canyon Railway steam train.

“It’s probably going to be a very close race,” said race judge Robert Krombeen, who originally proposed the idea for the race.

Over a hundred cyclists have already signed up for the event, and while some are just racing for the fun experience, many are intent on beating the train.

“It’s really a race for anyone,” said Mark Booth, who is in charge of the event alongside his associate, PJ Boorman.

In organizing the race, Booth and Boorman are working to make it a winning scenario for everyone involved, especially for the town of Williams.

“I fell in the love with the town and I always felt like it was just an undiscovered, untapped recreational mecca.” Booth said.

They hope to make the event and annual rivalry to bring much needed tourism to the small northern locale. Williams is not as economically well as the larger cities in Arizona. Booth pointed out that living there year-round can be a challenge.

Profits from this unique race will go to the Williams High School Bike Team and to a scholarship to a chosen senior currently in the program.

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Man vs. Machine: Race the Grand Canyon Train

It’s an epic race that last took place 25 years ago, and now it has returned to take on a new group of challengers. Man (or woman) vs. Machine. Steam vs. Muscle. On Saturday, September 26, 2015the Grand Canyon Railway, in partnership with Grand Canyon Racing, will fire up its venerable steam engine #4960 – a 310-ton behemoth built in 1923 – to take on hundreds of intrepid bicyclists on a 54-mile course that will climb 2,023 feet starting at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to iconic Williams, Ariz.

Last held in October 1991, the race has become the stuff of legend.

The race will begin on Highway 64 in Tusayan, Ariz., departing the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon at 1 p.m. PDT. From there the course will travel 50 miles south on Highway 64, before merging onto historic Route 66 for the last four miles. The finish line will be at the intersection of Second Street and Route 66 in Williams.

 

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Cyclists to take on Grand Canyon Railway

After 25 years, cyclists will get their chance to take on the Grand Canyon Railway in a 54 mile race from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to Williams, AZ.

Last held in October 1991, the race has become the stuff of legend.

The race will begin on Highway 64 in Tusayan, Ariz., departing the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon at 1 p.m. PDT. From there the course will travel 50 miles south on Highway 64, before merging onto historic Route 66 for the last four miles. The finish line will be at the intersection of Second Street and Route 66 in Williams.

Hosted by Grand Canyon Racing, and sponsored by the Grand Canyon Railway, the event is fully permitted by the Arizona Department of Transportation, and traffic control and law enforcement will be on site for the entirety of the event.

 

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Can a cyclist outrace a steam train? A unique Arizona contest seeks an answer

If you think you can out-bike a vintage steam-engine train, sign up for the 2015 Man vs. Machine race from the Grand Canyon to the railway town of Williams, Ariz.

The 54-mile course presents a classic steam-and-muscle smackdown the likes of which hasn’t been seen for 25 years.

Here’s how it works: Riders pay $60 to $80 (depending on when they register) to enter the race and then are to show up, ready to roll, in Tusayan on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26

The course has cyclists following Arizona Highway 64 for 50 miles, gaining and losing more than 2,000 feet in elevation. They then will turn onto historic Route 66 for the last four miles.

The Grand Canyon Railway train, the 310-ton steam engine No. 4960 built in 1923, will hit the tracks at the same 1 p.m. start time. Passengers can ride the train and watch the race for $75 for adults and $45 for children 16 and younger.

Unlike the cyclists, train passengers should have a pretty luxe ride. They will be in Pullman coach class cars, a cafe car and a luxury parlor car. Everyone finishes at the historic depot in Williams.

So which is likely to win — man or machine?