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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Pikes Peak is America's Mountain, but up until Tuesday it didn't belong to cyclists. But now they too are getting their piece of it.

For one month cyclists will have the chance to ride to the top of Pikes Peak.

Pikes Peak America's Mountain has launched a pilot program that will allow bicycles on Pikes Peak Highway through September.

"In years past we ha ven't had unescorted bicycles riding up and down the road, except for the bicycle race," Jack Glavan, Manager of Pikes Peak, said.

After getting pressure from the cycling community they decided to find out if both cyclists and motorists can share the road.

"It became more popular, and there became more questions once we finished the asphalt paving, so last year we committed to trying to study it this year to make a decision for 2013," Glavan said.

Several cyclists accepted the challenge and took on the 19-mile trek to the top, complete with steep grades and an altitude difference of 7,400 feet.

"I didn't think it would be as steep," Brandon Johnson, a cyclist, said. "It's definitely doable, but the steepness doesn't really ever let up."

"It's just like the old expression, put one foot in front of the other. It's hard, but you just keep going," Marv White, another cyclist, said.

The ride is not for beginners and requires both physical and mental strength.

"It's pretty crazy, pretty normal for me, but most of the people that we talked to at the top were pretty impressed, thinking we were pretty crazy," Amy Bertsch, a cyclist, said.

With strong winds at the top and lots of blind curves, it's unclear if the pilot program will turn into a permanent one.

"It's gonna be tough. I don't know if I recommend it or not, especially during the peak tourist season where there's a lot of cars. It's going to be dangerous," White said.

The pilot program runs through Sept. 30.

Each trip to the top costs $12 per person.

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