COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A pilot program allowing bicyclists to ride up to the top of Pikes Peak surpassed expectations, but will it be brought back?

"I think it was a very good turnout. We weren't sure exactly what to expect," Jack Glavan, Manager of Pikes Peak America's Mountain, said.

The program ran through the month of September.

According to Glavan 1,041 cyclists accepted the challenge and made the 19 mile trek to the top.

"We were concerned with the safety aspect and we were also concerned that the bicyclists may not be prepared to ride the road. What we found is the bicyclists were very well prepared," Glavan said.

He said they had been receiving pressure from the cycling community to open the road to them after it became paved all the way to the top, but there were concerns about bikes and cars sharing the road.

"Most of them during the month of September worked well with the bicyclists. There were some safety concerns and we're going to be looking at all the different comments and taking that into account," Glavan said.

Both cyclists and motorists were encouraged to leave feedback about the pilot program, which will be used in helping to decide whether or not it becomes a permanent thing. Glavan said most of the feedback from the cyclists was positive.

"They enjoyed it and they hope the program will continue. They thought it was a challenge. They liked the conditions on the road, they liked the road itself," he said.

Some suggested limiting cyclists to certain months and avoiding busy tourist months like July and August.

"We'll look at the entire season and then we'll try to decide basically what's the best for the mountain, what's best for the tourists, what's best for the bicyclists, and try to make a good decision in that respect," Glavan said.

Before the program can be put into place there is still a long road ahead. Glavan will present the feedback he's received to the Parks Board at the beginning of November. They will make their decision at their next meeting in December.

If the program gets approved it would then go to the U.S. Forest Service for final approval.