http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/cams-bike-helmet-web/2709-ducati-pikes-peak.html
In the above 2012 Post, #3 will take readers to some of my reflections on The Race To The Clouds before the 12.5 road (course) was paved.
Looking at "the Hill" today, it's clear up top, 33 C down here in the lowlands.
One year on race day it was snowing at the top, and ice covered parts of the road. Organizers shortened the track by two miles that year for finishers to finish below the ice, but still in light snow.
Race entrants make their run up the mountain on full adrenalin, but have to wait at the top, usually in the parking lot (motorcycle guys standing around in blowing wind and cold), for all entrants to finish, sometimes 5-6 hours, because the organizers do not let vehicles go down (against upcoming racers :-) ). It can be a tough day for someone not used to breathing thin air (top is 14,115 feet above sea level, or 4,302 meters). Carbureted motorcycles also have a tough time breathing at the level :-)
2014 races results can be found here:
http://gas2.org/2014/06/29/pikes-peak-2014-race-results/
Sadly, one motorcycle entrant died after crashing his Triumph Daytona in the area past the finish line, a gravel parking area. He had come off the pavement at the finish line and still at speed drove on to the gravel in the parking area at the summit. Details can be found here... a truly freak accident:
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26057431/hill-climb-racer-airlifted-from-pikes-peak-summit
Dr. G, reflecting on Pikes Peak 2014