Colorado Rocky Mountain Bicycle Tour

Tour Summary

This is a fairly new tour group in Colorado and I’ve watched them grow over the past few years.  I’ve never ridden with this group, as I’m typically across the pond in August, but I do know people that have and all I can say is that every one of them has come away from this tour with the highest of praises.  The tour takes a “no weak days” approach and typically has a route that is suited for the experienced rider.  In the past, I would not have recommended this ride for anyone but an experienced and well trained rider. But this year, the route may appeal not only to the experienced rider, but also to the more moderate rider.  Stages 1, 2, and 6 are all spectacular days that people with only moderate experience may find doable.  Stage 3, if you don’t do Mt Evans, is easy (but, in all honesty, you have to try to summit Evans).   Stage 4 will be a hard day and the last day will also be hard with a few surprises for those not familiar with the area.  All in all, this year’s route far surpasses last year route and will be doable by many that may not have considered this ride in the past.  Kudos to the organizers.  They have constructed a magnificent route though incredible scenery.

Special note, this ride is capped at 500 people, making it much smaller than Ride the Rockies or Bicycle Tour of Colorado… meaning it has the chance to be more personal and more manageable (less lines in the overnight towns).  Know also that early August is the height of the Colorado monsoon season.  This doesn’t mean you’ll be riding daily in the rain, but it does mean that the opportunity for mid and late day storms is increased (so plan on riding early in the day to increase your chance of staying dry).

 

Stage 1, Edwards to Frisco.  A touch short of 71 miles and 5200 feet of climbing.

On other tours, I would call this the best day.  On this tour, It’s only one of several best days. Except for the first 10 miles and the omission of the Vail and Vail pass segment, this is the classic Copper Triangle route, done in reverse.  Starting in Edwards, you have a great warm-up segment on side roads paralleling I-70 through Avon, Eagle-Vail, and into Minturn.  In fact, the 15 miles are rather benign when it comes to climbing, with only flat to 3% grades (and the 3% comes at the end of the 15 miles).  As you travel to Minturn, you feel the valley/canyon getting smaller and see the mountains gathering in front of you.  Then, like a hard slap in the fact, your first switchback and the grades immediately morph to over 7%.  This section of heavy grades is short, but it’s only the start for what’s to come.  Please click here to link to my Tennessee Pass Summary and then my Fremont Pass Summary for a description on the remainder of the day.

I’ve done these two passes a number of times and like them both.  Being a flat lander, I really like climbing break you get near the former mountain training facilities for the army and I like the shortness of the Fremont climb from this side.  You won’t go through Leadville, but the town is only a mile or so off to your right where you turn onto Hwy 91.  My only complaint about Fremont Pass, is that the downhill is likely to be windy, so speed may be muted a bit.  The trail from Copper to Frisco fun and a nice downhill ride, however, since it is narrow, watch for uphill riders, hikers, fishermen, etc.  Last time on the trail, I saw a couple that had to be in their late 80’s on mountain bikes, grinning ear to ear, riding uphill at about 2 MPH.  I hope I’m still riding in my 80’s.  

 

Stage 2, Frisco to Idaho Springs.  50 miles and 3400 feet of climbing.

On other tours, I would call this the best day.  On this tour, It’s only one of several best days.  I absolutely, love the routing for stage 2, especially since it offers a nice modest 30 mile downhill (remember, I’m not exactly a small person and personally prefer downhill speed over having old ladies using walkers pass me on climbs). From the tour’s Map My Ride profile, I see you’re back on the trail system to Breck HighSchool, about five miles from your start (morning traffic on Co 9 is a real bear).  You have a small ridge to go over to get to the school, but it’s just you morning warm up.  Speaking of warm up, even though it’s August, it’s likely to be quite cool in the morning as you are closing in on 9000 foot elevations here.  After the high school, you start your modest and short climb up Swan Mountain.  It can feel steep, but it’s less than a 2 mile climb, followed by a roughly 2 mile descent.  The views of the lake, when you can see it through the trees, is great.  These roads are not overly wide, so watch for traffic.  On a sad note, this area is being devastated by the Pine Beetle and dead pine trees seen to now outnumber the live ones, so some of the natural beauty is gone, for the time being.

Please click here for the next segment of the ride and you’ll be directed to my Loveland Pass Summary.  You have nice steep climbs, pass Keystone and A-Basin ski areas (on the way up) and Loveland ski area on the way down.  You are climbing the harder side of Loveland and will a good 8 mile climb with grades exceeding 7%.  While the roads are reasonably high, watch for truck traffic as this is the Eisenhower Tunnel hazardous material truck by-pass route.
From the summit, it’s all downhill.  You’ll spend a few short miles on I-70, but then you’ll coast down frontage roads through Graymont, Silver Plume (where you’ll be on a trail for a short time), Georgetown, and then down to Idaho Springs. This last segment, being a downhill, is certainly more fun (for me) than doing this day in reverse.

One more thing, for you flat landers, between stage 1, stage 2, and looking toward stage 3, this is a very high altitude tour and your overnight stops are not very low.  You will have, and will be spending well over 60+ hours near or over 7500, and a lot of that time near or over 10,000 feet, and if you do Mt Evans, you are at 14,000 feet.  Not until the end of day 3 do you find yourself below 6000 feet.  I point this out because you may begin to feel the impact of the altitude.  I’m not a doc, but for me, one of the best things I do to avoid problems is drink lots of water, take a low dose of aspirin,  drink more water, sleep, drink more water, and, hardest of all, avoid beer (until I get a bit lower).

 

Stage 3, Idaho Springs to Golden.  74 miles and 7031 feet of climbing.

On other tours, I would call this the best day.  On this tour, It’s only one of several best days (have I said that before?).  Mt Evans is a climb not to be missed.  Ok, so forget the fact that you have a 27 mile 7000 foot climb (and that the grades at the bottom exceed 9% for a time and that you don’t have any air to breath at the top of Mt Evans).  This will be among the hardest 27 miles you have ever biked.  Sure, coming out of Idaho Springs will be OK… but that’s because you’re only around 8000 feet.  Biking over 12000 feet cannot be compared to biking under 12000.  From the Echo Lake fee station, you are close to 10,000 feet (13 miles from Idaho Springs).  At Summit Lake, you are close to 12,000 feet (mile 22).  At the Summit, you are at 14,000 feet (mile 27.5).  The air is thin. The Grades are steep.  And plan on taking a whole lot more time to climb from Summit Lake to the top than you ever thought you would need.

The good news is that you are starting in Idaho Springs, only 13 miles from the fee station.  This means you should get to Echo Lake early in the morning and start your Evans Climb before the threat of rain builds.  Having said that, you MUST bring cold weather gear with you on this ride.  You DO NOT want to get caught at 13000 feet in the sleet and snow without gloves and something to cover your legs, arms, and body.  If you see the weather getting bad as you climb, turn around and head toward Golden.  Don’t get caught out there.  The last time I rode with a tour to Evans, many got caught in a late day storm and I can’t tell you how may people I saw in Idaho Springs wrapped in thermal blankets, on gurneys, with IV’s stuck in their arms.  This is an awesome climb.  Enjoy it safely!!!

Click here for my Mt Evans Summary.

 

Stage 4, Golden to Estes Park.  74 miles  and 7200 feet of climbing.

You know, If Mt Evans is the hardest day, this is the second hardest day.  The Golden Gate Canyon and the Peak to Peak highway are spectacular.  You will truly enjoy them.  The downside is that the initial climb, right from the start, is some 20 miles long and gains close to 4000 feet.  Said another way, that’s Echo Lake to Mt Evans, only at a lower altitude.  The grades are relentless and only two small breaks in the climb offer any relief.  This is a scenic great climb, but it will get your blood pumping.

With the Rockies solidly on your left shoulder, the next 16 or so miles has you undulating and twisting and turning across the countryside.  Trending downhill, you can really enjoy this jaunt in the foothills through the Roosevelt National Forest.  This is a major scenic by-way and you will need to watch for traffic.  On the other hand, you will come across services more frequently than other areas of this ride.

The profile says it all for this ride.  You are going to spend a full day in the beauty of the foothills riding all sorts of rollers.  You will have some great descents (my favorite is the one at mile 49) and will be able to get some great speed as you travel here.  Just watch for traffic and enjoy a beautiful day.  Note:  It’s likely to be quite hot, so carry water and electrolytes.

 

Stage 5, Estes Park to Granby.  One of my favorites.  65 miles and 5100 feet of climbing.

On other tours, I would call this the best day.  On this tour, It’s only one of several best days.  I think Rocky Mtn National Park is one of the best rides in the world.  Bar none.

The tour takes you through the Fall River entrance, on lesser traveled roads.  Watch for wild life, as you’re sure to see some.  The entire day, exact route, is summarized on my Rocky Mtn National Park Summary. 
Enough said, enjoy the day.

 

Stage 6, Granby to Edwards.  A hard 102 miles with 5100 ft of climbing.

What a way to end a long hard tour!  A century with 5100 feet of climbing!  If you’ve made it so far, you can do this day too.  From Granby to Kremmling you have a nice 30 mile sort of downhill.  It’s not steep and there are some rollers, but you trend downhill at about a 1% clip. Between these two towns you are treated to inter-mountain ranch lands, ringed by high peaks.  It’s interesting scenery, but far from spectacular.  One interesting segment just past Hot Sulphur Springs is a neat little canyon that you pass through for variety.

Out of Kremmling, you are certainly in a desert like environment.  Surrounded by high Mesa’s, you are leaving the open ranchland behind as you climb Gore Pass.  Gore is a favorite of mine as it is remote and scenic.  Click here for my Gore Pass Summary. You may think your climbing is done after you reach Toponas on the far side of Gore at mile 61.  Sorry, there are a couple more surprises to grab your attention.  Tooling south among the flat tops, you do trend downward, but do have to climb over a small ridge around mile 65.  It’s short and not to steep, but it does set you up for a fantastic 8+ mile descent down to the State Bridge area.  Enjoy the descent, as once past State Bridge, you will find a non-pass climb that is every bit as welcoming as  any pass.  You are facing a 7 mile 6+% climb over a substantial ridge.  Given this is toward the end of the ride, don’t under estimate it as you will be tired and it’s likely to be hot.  Carry extra water as there really is nothing out here.  As far as I’m concerned, the CO Dept of Transportation should have tunneled through this thing, but they didn’t listen to me.  Just grin and bear it… the scenery is neat and the traffic is light.  Once at the top, it’s more or less downhill to Edwards.