In 1916, the first annual Pikes Peak Hill Climb was started. It is the second oldest automobile race in the U.S., following the Indiannapolis 500 which started in 1911.
Today the race begins between mile marker 7 and 8, and ends on top. Yes, they speed up the switchbacks and around the corners (no guardrails and several steap drop offs).
The average speed up the road exceeds 65 mph, including the speed through the switchbacks.
Huge, nocturnal mountain rats! In 1875 a signal man who was stationed at the summit reported to the Colorado Springs Gazette that giant rats had attacked him and his wife, and had killed their two month old daughter.
Turns out, it was a tall tale although many people believed it at the time.