Cycling enthusiasts looking to take advantage of the low airfares to Colorado this summer can experience a variety of cycling events throughout the state in celebration of the return of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which will race through 12 host cities and towns this August.
New cycling events include:
West Elk Bike Classic (September 2, 2012)- This new bicycle gran fondo, sponsored by The Western State College of Colorado’s cycling team, features two length options. The 130-mile ride starts in Gunnison and heads to the Blue Mesa Dam, Crawford, Paonia and Kebler Pass before finishing in Crested Butte. The 100-mile version also skirts the north rim of the Black Canyon to Crawford and beyond.
Pedal the Plains (September 21-23, 2012)- This bicycle tour is an annual three-day ride across Colorado’s High Plains offering riders a chance to experience the towns of Yuma, Wray and Burlington. Barn dances, barbecues and on-route tours of working farms and historic frontier battlegrounds are just a few of the events to take place during the tour.
Tour of Vail (September 29-30, 2012)- This event for all ages is a non-competitive and fully supported bike marathon tour of the Vail Valley to benefit local charities. Saturday features a scenic ride through the Vail Valley, while Sunday’s event includes a criterium-style Pro/Am race in downtown Vail Village.
Many areas around the state are also rolling out expanded bike features:
Mountain Village Bike Park in Mountain Village is adding additional trails, including 3/4 mile of new black diamond trails, which the park expects to complete by June.
Pikes Peak Mountain Bike Tours is offering a new route that traverses 18 miles of Gold Camp Road with four team building initiatives designed to build trust and enhance communication skills. Each ride can be customized depending on the group’s needs and specific team building goals.
In Aspen, the Little Nell’s biking program has added an exclusive fleet of Orbea road, mountain and cruiser bicycles made in the Basque Country of Spain. The bikes are outfitted with a GPS unit pre-loaded with some of Aspen’s top rides. Private instruction can also be arranged with the hotel’s pro cyclist.
The San Juan Hut Systems has announced the new Durango to Moab mountain bike route, a seven day, 215 mile mountain bike journey from Durango, Colorado to Moab, Utah. This route is for upper intermediate to advanced riders. Lodging consists of six wooden huts equipped with padded bunks, stoves, lights and kitchen facilities. Huts are fully stocked with food, drinking water and sleeping bags.
The weekly Denver Cruiser Ride has partnered with the Civic Center Conservancy and Denver Parks & Recreation to host four nights of free bike-in movies beginning in mid-July. The cruiser rides will start at 7 p.m. and end at Civic Center Park for a classic movie under the stars. Gourmet food trucks are available before each show.
Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park is celebrating its first birthday. This 40-acre off-road bike park offers competition-grade cyclo-cross racing trails, big dirt jumps, dual slalom tracks, pump tracks, and slope-style trails. Family friendly features include a trike track, a learning loop, a kids’ play area and restrooms.
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