Ride the Rockies

Ride the Rockies is an annual cycling tour that traverses the Rocky Mountains through the state of Colorado. It has taken place since 1986, and continues to be one of the region's most popular cycling events. The Denver Post and Wells Fargo are major sponsors of the event. Riders typically come from 45 to 50 states and from up to 10 foreign countries. There are typically 4,000 entrants, but ridership is limited to 2,000, selected by lottery.

The bicycle tour takes place annually in June and the route is announced the previous February. The event is a multi-day ride, usually lasting about one week. Daily distances range from about 40 to 100 miles and some days include roads over mountain passes. Each day's route has several rest stops with food and drinks, and riders are supported by SAG vehicles. The route is different each year, but each night is spent in a Colorado town.

Ride the Rockies has overnighted in these communities: Alamosa, Aspen, Avon, Boulder, Breckenridge, Buena Vista, Cañon City, Castle Rock, Chama (NM), Colorado Springs, Copper Mountain, Cortez, Craig, Crested Butte, Delta, Denver, Durango, Edwards, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, Golden, Granby, Grand Junction, Greeley, Gunnison, Idaho Springs, Leadville, Manitou Springs, Montrose, Pagosa Springs, Rifle, Salida, Silverton, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Trinidad, Vail and Walsenburg.

The route for 2008 travels from Durango to Breckenridge, covering 435 miles. The schedule for 2008 is:

Saturday, June 14Durango - Registration

Sunday, June 15Durango to Cortez, 49 Miles

Monday, June 16Cortez to Telluride, 77 Miles, Lizard Head Pass - 10,222 ft.

Tuesday, June 17Telluride to Montrose, 65 Miles, Dalls Divide - 8,970 ft.

Wednesday, June 18Montrose to Crested Butte, 92 Miles, Cerro Summit - 7,950 ft., Blue Mesa Summit - 9,288 ft.

Thursday, June 19Crested Butte - Rest Day

Friday, June 20Crested Butte to Buena Vista, 75 Miles, Cottonwood Pass - 12,126 ft.

Saturday, June 21Buena Vista to Breckenridge, 77 Miles, Trout Creek Pass - 9,346 ft., Hoosier Pass - 11,542 ft.

Other Colorado Cycling Tours

Other Colorado cycling tours, not affiliated with Ride the Rockies, are the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, and the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour.

External links

*Official|http://www.ridetherockies.com
* [http://www.denverpost.com The Denver Post]
* [http://www.bicycletourcolorado.com/ Bicycle Tour of Colorado]
* [http://www.crmbt.com/ Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour]