Even more dangerous on two wheels: Pikes Peak and the motorbikes

Nikolaus Wogen

Meet Ducati's Squadra Alpina, all previous champions in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. From left to right: Greg Tracy, Micky Dymond, Carlin Dunne, Gary Trachy.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was an all-car affair for most of its 100 years. But the past few decades have seen motorcycles return to the mountain, getting faster (and more dangerous) since the entire road was paved in 2011. As with their four-wheel-riding cousins, bike racers have started looking at electric motors, which, unlike internal combustion engines, aren't fazed by altitude.

This year, 36 bikes, quads, and sidecars were entered in Sunday's race. They would get first crack at the course; running the cars first creates the risk of them dragging dirt or rocks onto the road, and the 12.4-mile (19.99km) route is already unforgiving enough.

"Unfortunately, now that it's all pavement and the speeds are higher, the risk factor is much greater [and] the future of bikes could be in peril. They've had a death the past two years, unfortunately," explained Don Canet. Canet is Road Test Editor for Cycle World and has competed at Pikes Peak in recent years. To try and manage the risk, this year all the motorbikes have to have single-piece handlebars, and the very fastest liter-class Superbikes are no longer allowed. "Not to say that the bikes we're running now are nearly as fast, but at least it's a move—probably to appease the insurance carrier," Canet said.

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