28 December 2014

Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides 2015

Calendar List of Bike Rides and Cycling Events in Colorado for 2015

2017 Colorado bike rides and events: please go directly to Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2017

2016 Colorado bike rides and events: please go directly to Colorado Bike Event Rides Calendar & Bike Race Calendar 2016

It is time to plan out our bike rides for the 2015 cycling season in Colorado. Which bike event will you be participating in this year? Maybe you have your favorite rides, maybe you are looking for a different challenge for the new year, or maybe you want to travel to a neighboring state or country to ride upon new roads. Whatever your cycling level or goal - you are sure to find a cycling event of interest within the lists below.

Pedal Dancer® blog creates an annual list of cycling events for you to choose from; below is a calendar list of events in date order with known 2015 dates and links to the event websites. I have also grouped the rides by type of event for easy planning. If you would like to have your event added to the list, please email me.

As cycling columnist Dan Wouri, so perfectly summed up how many of us feel about cycling in the February 2015 edition of VeloNews magazine, "... what draws me to cycling, as both a rider and a fan, is that every day is a chance to redefine what's possible. I'm not a great rider - or even a good one. But whether you are a suburban hack or a GC contender, it all boils down to the same set of challenges. How hard can you go? Can you push yourself just a little further than the day before? Cycling has given me the chance to re-imagine what I'm capable of, both mentally and physically...".

Please also see:

Pedal Dancer® 2015 Cycling Events in the Western United States (and some in Europe)
Pedal Dancer® 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar List
Pedal Dancer® 2015 Charity Bike Rides in Colorado 
Pedal Dancer® Guide Page to: COLORADO CLIMBS 

I help people find cool things to do on the weekend.

© Copyright content of this post by Karen Rakestraw / Pedal Dancer® is a trademark for all online content. © All Photos by Karen Rakestraw.

Cycling in Colorado, Pedal Dancer
A typical Colorado mountain view from the bike saddle next to the Crystal River waters in June. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® Photography.

BIKE EVENTS

List of Colorado road cycling events, gran fondos, century rides, cruiser rides, randonneurs, extreme long distance bike events, hill climbs, mountain bike events, gravel rides, bike races, week-long bike tours, fundraisers, bike swaps, and so much more.  

*Final dates will be added as published by the event organizers. This calendar will be updated throughout the year.

Cycling EVENT RIDES and bike TOURS in Colorado in 2015:

January 4, 2015 - Resolution Ride, Parker, 20/30/40mi
February 8, 2015 - Old Man Winter Rally (gravel & paved), Boulder, 50K/100K
April 4, 2015 - AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, Front Range, CO, (gravel) 50/160mi
April 19, 2015 - Durango 100 Grande Fondo, Durango, Colorado, 50/84/100mi 
April 23-26, 2015 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival, multi-event (MTB)
April 25, 2015 - Ridgeline Rampage, Castle Rock, 5/10/20/30/50mi (MTB)
April 26, 2915 - Dirty 40 Ride Wild Colorado, Castle Rock, 20/40mi (gravel, all bike types) 
May 1-2, 2015 - 18 Hours of Fruita, Fruita, 7+mi repeated loop, (MTB)
May 2, 2015 - Golden Anti-Gravity Epic Century, Golden, 115mi, paved + gravel
May 3, 2015 - Rose Hill Rally, Grand Junction, 31/62mi
May 9, 2015 - Mission to Ride, Montrose, 40/60/100mi (road & MTB)
May 9, 2015 - Battle The Bear, Lakewood, 10/20/30/50mi (MTB)
May 9, 2015 - Dessert Rats Mtn Bike Classic, Kokopelli Trail CO to UT, 50K (MTB)
May 15, 2015 - Ride for the Pass, Independence Pass - opening the road, Aspen
May 16, 2015 - Palisade Gran Fondo, Palisade, 40/60mi
May 16, 2015 - L'Eroica (vintage), Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs, 102mi
May 16, 2015 - Triple C - Century, Broomfield, 43/62/101mi
May 16, 2015 - Pony Xpress (gravel), Trinidad, 50/90/160mi
May 16-17, 2015 - Eagle Outside Festival & Expo, Eagle, 40K (MTB)
May 17, 2015 - McKee Classic Bike Tour, Loveland, 5/30/37/60mi
May 16, 2015 - Ride for the Pass, Independence Pass, Aspen, 10mi
May 16, 2015 - Ride the Cog for A.L.S., Hayden, 26mi road, gravel, 5Krun, bike swap
May 22-25, 2015 - Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango-Silverton, 50mi
May 23-24, 2015 - The Original Growler, Gunnison, 32/64mi (MTB)
May 30, 2015 - PV Cycle Derby, Elbert, 10/22/66mi (MTB)
May 31, 2015 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Monument, 22/44/66/88/110mi
June 13, 2015 - Moots Ranch Rally, NW Routt County, (gravel), 50mi
June 6-8, 2015 - Death Ride Tour, Silverton, 225mi (3-days)
June 6, 2015 - Pedal 4 Possible, Louisville, 100mi 10/50/100K *new
June 6, 2015 - G'Night Ride, Longmont, (cruiser family ride) 1/3/12mi  
June 6, 2015 - Coco Century, La Junta, 10/40/100mi 
June 6, 2015 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista 38/50/62/97mi
June 7, 2015 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock, 40/62/100mi
June 12-13, 2015 - Ride The Rockies Prologue Ride
June 13-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, (week-long tour)
June 13, 2015 - Gran Fondo Aspen, Aspen, 54.9mi
June 13, 2015 - Pedaling for Parkinson's, Denver, 55mi
June 13, 2015 - Colorado High Country Double Century, Boulder, 207mi, 12,000ft *new
June 14, 2015 - Eddy Rando - steel bikes road and gravel ride, Parker, 100km
June 20, 2015 - Starlight Spectacular, night ride Garden of the Gods, short
June 20, 2015 - Ride for the Child, Carbondale, 100mi, 100km, 50km *new
June 20, 2015 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park, 50/75/106mi
June 20, 2015 - Denver Century Ride, Denver, 25/50/75/100mi
June 20, 2015 - Bailey Hundo Bailey, 102.47mi (MTB)
June 20, 2015 - Bailey Hundito Bailey, (MTB)
June 20, 2015 - VR135/90 Epic Gravel Grinders (gravel), San Juan Mountains CO, 90/135mi
June 21, 2015 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 20/60/90mi 
June 21-27, 2015 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado (week-long tour)
June 27, 2015 - Vuelta a Keystone, Keystone, 20/60/90mi
June 27, 2015 - Colorado Death Ride, 225mi, 16,000+ft
June 27, 2015 - Bike MS Colorado - Fort Collins Loop, Fort Collins (1-day loop)
June 27-28, 2015 - Bike MS Colorado, Fort Collins (2-days)
June 28-July 5, 2015 - Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure - Leg 4, Bayfield, 400mi
July 5-12, 2015 - Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure - Leg 5, Colorado Springs, 500mi
July 11, 2015 - Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5mi
July 11, 2015 - Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft *new
July 11-12, 2015 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120M/240mi
July 18, 2015 - Bike to Build, SLV Century, Alamosa San Luis Valley, 35/60/100mi
July 18, 2015 - Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 25/40/110mi
July 18, 2015 - InnovAge Moonlight Classic, Denver, night ride downtown
July 18, 2015 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge 100mi, (MTB)
July 18, 2015 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
July 18-20, 2015 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties (3-days)
July 18-25, 2015 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado (week-long tour)
July 19, 2015 - Gears n'Grub Culinary Ride, Castle Pines, 26mi
July 24-26, 2015 - Hop, Rock and Roll, bike and music, Northern Front Range
July 25, 2015 - Colorado - Eagle River Ride, Beaver Creek, 42/68/100mi
July 25, 2015 - Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker, Montrose, 33/50/75/115/155mi
July 25, 2015 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Lyons, 200mi, 15,000ft
August 1, 2015 - Colorado Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hill Climb, Golden, 4.5mi
August 1, 2015 - Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, Copper Mountain, 82mi
August 2-8, 2015 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
August 8, 2015 - Red Rocks Century, Red Rocks (a hard one!) 33/50/62/100mi
August 8, 2015 - BStrong Ride, Boulder, 24/69mi
August 9, 2015 - The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb, Manitou Springs, 28km
August 9-14, 2015 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 6-day stage race, 35-50mi a day (MTB)
August 15, 2015 - Susan B. Komen Colorado Ride for the Cure, Snowmass, 37/62.5/100mi 
August 15, 2015 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi
August 15, 2015 - Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi (MTB)
August 15, 2015 - Tour de Cure Colorado, Longmont, 10/50/62/100mi
August 15, 2015 - Boulder Bike Brew Festival, Boulder by Cyclists 4 Community
August 16, 2015 - Circle the Summit - Bob Guthrie Memorial, Summit County, 21/45/60/100mi
August 29, 2015 - Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Denver, 180mi, 13,500ft
August 29, 2015 - Venus de Miles, Boulder County (womens ride), 33/51/100mi
August 29, 2015 - CF Cycle For Life (Cystic Fibrosis), Highlands Ranch, 20/45/65mi
August 29, 2015 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 30/50/78/100mi
August 29, 2015 - Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 60/100mi
August 29, 2015 - Food Rescue Ride, Cherry Creek State Park, 15/30/60mi - Denver Food Rescue 
August 30, 2015 - Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County), 62/100mi
September 5, 2015 - New Belgium Tour de Fat, Fort Collins, fun rides
September 5-7, 2015 - Steamboat Stage Race Citizens Ride, Steamboat Springs, 62mi
September 5, 2015 - The Axel Project Bicycle Classic, San Juan Mountains, 48/80mi
September 6, 2015 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, (paved and dirt) 134mi
September 7-10, 2015 - 4-H Clover Ride, Fort Collins (4-days) 222 miles total
September 12, 2015 - Tod & Ned's Durango Dirt Fondo, Durango, 30/50mi
September 12, 2015 - Vapor Trail 125, Salida 125mi, (night MTB)
September 13, 2015 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder, 35/50/70/100/110mi
September 13, 2015 - Wacky Bike Ride, Highlands Ranch, 6/45/62/100miM 
September 17-20, 2015 - Salida Bike Fest, Salida (4-days) (MTB)
September 19, 2015 - Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race, Salida 26mi (MTB)
September 19, 2015 - New Belgium Tour de Fat, Denver, fun ride
September 20, 2015 - Monarch Crest Crank, Salida, 25mi (MTB)
September 26, 2015 - Mountains To The Desert Bike Ride, Telluride, 70/100/103/133/200mi
September 26, 2015 - Telluride 200, Telluride, 103/133/150/200mi
September 18-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Eastern Plains, (3-days)
September 19, 2015 - Tour de Vineyards, Palisade, 25mi
September 19, 2015 - Pedal 50, Monument, 55mi, gravel
September 19, 2015 - Bikes and Brews, Royal Gorge, Canon City (cruiser, road &MTB)
September 19, 2015 - Royal Gorge Century, Royal Gorge, Canon City, 100mi
September 25-27, 2015 - Vail Outlier, Vail (enduro, ultra, gravel, MTB)
September 26, 2015 - Southern Colorado Tour de Cure, Colorado Springs, 10/50/62/100mi
September 26, 2015 - Mountains To The Desert Bike Ride, Telluride, 100/103/133miM 
September 26, 2015 - Durango Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour, Durango, 37/60/100mi
October 3, 2015 - IconLasik Tour of the Moon, Grand Junction, 62mi

Key REGISTRATION DATES for bike rides and events (these sell out fast!) in 2015:

Mark your calendars to sign up for these very popular Colorado bike rides and races.

Leadville Trail 100 MTB Lottery registration December 1-21, 2014 more information
Baily Hundo 102 MTB Lottery registration December 17, 2014 more information
Bike MS Lottery registration January 1, 2015 more information
Triple Bypass 2015 Lottery registration January 2-12, 2015 more information
Ride The Rockies 2015 Lottery registration February 8 - March 1, 2015 (5pm) more information
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic 2015, May Tour and Men's Road Race are already sold-out
Tod & Ned's Durango Dirt Fondo, Durango, registration for 500 opens March 23, 2015 more info

Colorado cycling EVENTS, FILMS, SUMMITS, SWAPS, PARTIES, FUNDRAISERS in 2015:

Socialize off the bike at these cycling events:

January 6, 2015 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado Announcement Party (free), Lakewood 
January 13, 2015 - For the Love of Mud, Stages Cycling cyclocross film, Boulder Theater
January 31, 2015 - BRAC cyclo-cross awards party, Lakewood
February 7, 2015 - Ride The Rockies Route Premier Party, Denver, $50
February 9-10, 2015 - Colorado Bicycle Summit, Denver (Advocacy)
February 19, 2015 - Nutrition talk at Giant Bikes, Aspen Grove shop, Littleton 6pm
February 15, 2015 - Colorado Custom and Vintage Bicycle Expo, Jefferson County Fairgrounds
March 15, 2015 - Rising from the Ashes, Film, Alamo Drafthouse, Littleton, 12pm
March 26, 2015 - Heels on Wheels - Ladies night, Denver
April 9, 2015 - Wheat Ridge Cyclery - Womens Night Out, WRC in Wheat Ridge, 6:30pm
April 18. 2015 - Bike Bonanza & Birthday Party, Trips for Kids fundraiser, Denver
April 18, 2015 - Friendraiser - for Trips for Kids Denver/Boulder, 6pm
April 24, 2015 - Bicycle Colorado Gala Fundraiser, Denver 
April 24-25, 2015 - MOG Sale, Grand Junction (bike equipment swap and film festival)
April 24-26, 2015 - BRAC Junior Road Camp
April 25, 2015 - Primal Colorado Bike Expo, Colorado Convention Center, Denver
April 30, 2015 - Heels on Wheels - Ladies night, Lakewood
May 1, 3015 - Ride for Reading Denver Delivery 2015, Denver
May 3, 2015 - BRAC Womens Road Camp
May 6, 2015 - National Walk Bike to School Day
May 9, 2015 - Bike Love, Sculpture Park, Speer & Champa in Denver, 12-5pm
May 10, 2015 - CycloFemme Day annual women's ride, check for local rides
May 11-15, 2015 - National Bike to Work Week
May 15, 2015 - National Bike to Work Day
May 17, 2015 - Boulder Bicycle Swap, Boulder
October 17, 2015 - Velo Swap, Denver (annual bicycle equipment swap)

Colorado CRUISER rides in 2015:

Short social bike rides around town, sometimes involving costumes, always involving rowdy fun.

Denver Cruiser Ride Denver Bike Nights - every Wednesday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2015, near in downtown Denver.
Longmont Bike Night - every Wednesday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2015, near in downtown Longmont.
Pueblo Cruiser Bike Rides - every Friday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2015, near in downtown Pueblo.
Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride, Boulder - every Thursday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2015, near in downtown Boulder.

Colorado CENTURY bike rides in 2015:

These century rides in Colorado promise you the option of equal to or greater than 100-miles on a road bike in a single day.

April 19, 2015 - Durango 100 Grande Fondo, Durango, 100mi
May 9, 2015 - Mission to Ride, Montrose, 100mi
May 16, 2015 - L'Eroica (vintage), Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs, 102mi
May 16, 2015 - Triple C - Century, Broomfield, 101mi
May 31, 2015 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Monument, 110mi 
June 6, 2015 - Pedal 4 Possible, Louisville, 100mi *new 
June 6, 2015 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista, 97mi
June 6, 2015 - Coco Century, La Junta, 100mi 
June 7, 2015 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock, 100mi
June 20, 2015 - Ride for the Child - Sopris Century, Carbondale, 100mi *new
June 20, 2015 - Denver Century Ride, Denver, 100mi
June 20, 2015 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park, 106miM
July 11-12, 2015 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120M, 240mi
July 18, 2015 - Bike to Build, San Luis Valley, 100mi
July 18, 2015 - Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 110mi
July 18, 2015 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
July 25, 2015 - SOS Outreach Eagle River, Beaver Creek, 100mi
July 25, 2015 - Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker, Montrose, 115/155mi  
August 8, 2015 - Red Rocks Century, Red Rocks, (a hard one!) 100mi
August 15, 2015 - Komen Colorado Ride for the Cure, Snowmass, 100mi  
August 15, 2015 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi*
August 15, 2015 - Colorado Tour de Cure, Longmont, 100mi
August 16, 2015 - Circle the Summit, Summit County, 100mi
August 29, 2015 - Venus de Miles, (women's ride) Boulder County, 100mi
August 29, 2015 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 100mi  
September 6, 2015 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, (paved and dirt) 134mi
September 13, 2015 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder, 100/110mi
September 13, 2015 - WackyW Bike Ride, Highlands Ranch, 100mi 
September 19, 2015 - Royal Gorge Century, Royal Gorge, Canon City, 100mi
September 26, 2015 - Mountains To The Desert Bike Ride, Telluride, 100/103/133miM
September 26, 2015 - Durango Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour, Durango, 100mi
September 26, 2015 - Southern Colorado Tour de Cure, Colorado Springs, 100mi

Bike Events in Colorado, Pedal Dancer
Getting ready to ride the Rapha Braver Than The Elements ride on a cool December day in Colorado. Be prepared for all kinds of weather in Colorado! Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® Photography.

Womens only Cycling Event Bike Rides in Colorado in 2015:

If you enjoy the friendly atmosphere and good vibes of riding with other women - you will enjoy the show of strength and determination at these women only bike rides and races in Colorado:

June 14, 2015 - Beti Bike Bash, Bear Creek Lake Park (MTB) 
July 11, 2015 - Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5mi
August 29, 2015 - Venus de Miles, Boulder County (womens ride), 33/51/100mi

Colorado CHARITY bike rides 2015:

For a full list of charity rides, charity races, rides that support Bicycle Colorado, and more information about events that donate back to the community as the Triple Bypass does, please read the list of Charity Cycling Events at : Charity Bike Rides in Colorado 2015

Colorado GRAN FONDOS or timed events in 2015:

Test yourself against the clock on these long road or mountain bike citizen races call Gran Fondos - all in Colorado.

April 19, 2015 - Durango 100 Grande Fondo, Durango, 100mi
May 16, 2015 - Palisade Gran Fondo, Palisade, 40/60mi
May 17, 2015 - Pony Xpress (gravel), Trinidad, 50/90160mi 
May 22-25, 2015 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango, 50mi (sold-out)
May 31, 2015 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes Gran Fondo, Monument, 22/44/66/88/110
June 13, 2015 - Gran Fondo Aspen, Aspen, 54.9mi
June 14, 2015 - Eddy Rando - steel bikes road and gravel ride, Parker, 100km
June 21, 2015 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 20/60/90mi
June 27, 2015 - Vuelta a Keystone, Keystone, 20/60/90mi 
August 15, 2015 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi
August 29, 2015 - Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 60/100mi 
September 6, 2015 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, (paved and dirt) 134mi
September 12, 2015 - Tod & Ned's Durango Dirt Fondo, Durango, 30/50mi
September 26, 2015 - Telluride 200, Telluride, 103/133/150/200mi 

Colorado MULTI-DAY Event Tour Rides (2-day, 3-day, week-long tours) in 2015:

Why not vacation in Colorado in 2015. Completely relax knowing all you have to do is pedal ... for a week.

June 6-8, 2015 - Death Ride Tour, Silverton-Telluride-Durango loop, (3-days)
June 13-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, (week-long tour)
June 21-27, 2015 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado, (week-long tour) 
June 27-28, 2015 - Bike MS - Colorado, Westminster to Fort Collins (2-days)
July 11-12, 2015 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon (optional 2-days)
July 18-20, 2015 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties (3-days)
July 18-25, 2015 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado (week-long tour) 
August 2-8, 2015 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour , Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
August 9-14, 2015 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 35-50mi a day (MTB) (6-day stage race)
September 7-10, 2015 - 4-H Clover Ride, Fort Collins (4-days)
September 18-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Eastern Plains (3-days)

Colorado Triple Crown LONG DISTANCE rides in 2015:

The Colorado Triple Crown ultra distance cycling events, now number six events, and includes these rides covering 80-200+ miles in a day, with over 11,000-16,000ft of climbing in a day over multiple mountain passes of 11,000+ft in elevation. Many of these events are timed and awards (title) given for completing a series of rides. More information.
  1. June 13, 2015 - Colorado High Country Double Century, Boulder, 207mi, 12,000ft *new
  2. June 27, 2015 - Colorado Death Ride, 225mi, 16,000+ft
  3. July 11, 2015 - Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft *new
  4. July 25, 2015 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Lyons, 200mi, 15,000ft
  5. August 29, 2015 - Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Denver, 180mi, 13,500ft
  6. September 26, 2015 - Telluride 200, Telluride, 200M, 11,187ft
Randonneurring - EXTREME LONG DISTANCE cycling events in Colorado in 2015:

There are more than 10,000 members of Randonneurs USA, find more information at www.rusa.org/. Randonneurring is long distance (200-1200+ mile) self-supported cycling. Brevets are randonneuring events. The events have time constraints and speed goals averaged whether still or moving. You'll find plenty of awards or certificates and incredible challenges, including the ultimate event, the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur (every four years; next race August 2015) in France. A Populaire is a brevet-format ride shorter than 200km (100km-199km). To learn more randonneur blog. For a list of brevets in Colorado, please see Rocky Mountain Cycling Club. For a list of randonneur rides in the United States, please search by state at: Rondonneur Events.
  • 2015 Schedule of 19 Events in Colorado, Randonneur - Brevet and Populaires (RMCC)

Colorado GRAVEL bike rides in 2015:

February 8, 2015 - Old Man Winter Rally (gravel & paved) Boulder, 50K/100K
April 4, 2015 - AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, Front Range, CO, (gravel) 50/160mi
April 26, 2915 - Dirty 40 Ride Wild Colorado, Castle Rock, 20/40mi (gravel, all bike types)  
May 2, 2015 - Golden Anti-Gravity Epic Century, Golden, 115mi, paved + gravel 
May 16, 2015 - Pony Xpress (gravel), Trinidad 160/90/50mi
May 16, 2015 - Ride the Cog for A.L.S., (gravel) Hayden
June 7, 2015 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, (gravel) Castle Rock, 27mi
June 13, 2015 - Moots Ranch Rally, NW Routt County, (gravel), 50mi 
June 14, 2015 - Eddy Rando - steel bikes road and gravel ride, Parker, 100km
June 20, 2015 - VR135/90 Epic Gravel Grinders (gravel) San Juan Mountains CO 90/135mi
September 6, 2015 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, (paved, dirt) Gunnison-Crested Butte, 134mi
September 19, 2015 - Pedal 50, Monument, 55mi, gravel  
September 25-27, 2015 - Vail Outlier, Vail (enduro, ultra, gravel, MTB)   

Colorado MOUNTAIN BIKE (MTB / Enduro) mountain event rides and festivals in 2015:

Get off the asphalt and challenge yourself on the trails and single-track of Colorado.

April 23-26, 2015 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival, Fruita, (MTB)
April 25, 2015 - Ridgeline Rampage, Castle Rock, 5/10/20/30/50mi (MTB)
May 1-2, 2015 - 18 Hours of Fruita, Fruita (MTB)
May 16-17, 2015 - Firebird 40 (MTB)
May 9, 2015 - Battle The Bear, Lakewood, 10/20/30/50mi (MTB)
May 9, 2015 - Dessert Rats Mtn Bike Classic, Kokopelli Trail CO to UT,  50K (MTB)
May 16, 2015 - Gunny Enduro, Gunnison (Enduro)
May 16-17, 2015 - Eagle Outside Festival & Expo, Eagle, 40K (MTB)
May 22-25, 2015 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango (MTB)
May 23-24, 2015 - The Original Growler, Gunnison, 32/64mi (MTB)
May 29-31, 2015 - Grand Junction Off Road Endurance (MTB)  
May 30, 2015 - PV Cycle Derby, Elbert, 10/22/66mi (MTB)
June 6, 2015 - ERock Sunrise to Sunset (MTB) Relay
June 14, 2015 - Beti Bike Bash, Bear Creek Lake Park (MTB)
June 20, 2015 - Bailey Hundo, Bailey, 102.47mi (MTB)
June 20, 2015 - Bailey Hundito, Bailey, (MTB)
July -August, 2015 - Enduro X Games series (Downhill, Enduro)
July 18, 2015 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge, Breckenridge, 100mi (MTB)
August 9-14, 2015 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 6-day stage race, 35-50mi a day (MTB)
August 15, 2015 - Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi (MTB)
September 17-20, 2015 - Salida Bike Fest, Salida (4-days) (MTB)
September 19, 2015 - Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race, Salida 26mi (MTB)
September 20, 2015 - Monarch Crest Crank, Salida, 25miM (MTB)
September 12, 2015 - Vapor Trail 125, Salida 125mi, (night MTB) 
September 19, 2015 - Bikes and Brews, Royal Gorge, Canon City (cruiser, road & MTB)
September 25-27, 2015 - Vail Outlier, Vail (enduro, ultra, gravel, MTB)

Women Learn to Mountain Bike

Womens Beginner Mountain Bike Program - Weekly Classes (Wednesdays)
5:30-6:00pm at Alderfer/ Three Sisters, 31677 Buffalo Park Rd., Evergreen; Cost: $60-72
Recurring Weekly on April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, 2015. 

Cycling Events in the WESTERN UNITED STATES in 2015:

Please see the list of nearby bike rides  - planning to participate in a bike ride outside of Colorado in 2015? Perhaps you want to ride in California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana and Wyoming: 2015 Cycling Events in the Western United States

Danny Summerhill at USAPro, Pedal Dancer
Local pro bike racer Danny Summerhill earned the most aggressive jersey after Stage 1 of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge in Aspen.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® Photography.

BIKE RACES

Local Colorado BIKE RACE Calendar for 2015 (road, cyclo-cross, criterium, hill climb, TT):

For information on Colorado racing dates and race licenses, please visit the websites of:
  • Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) - Calendar of Events
  • USA Cycling - Events Calendar
For a calendar list of bike races in Colorado for 2015, please visit:

Pedal Dancer® annual 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar (Colorado amateur bike racing).

Colorado HILL CLIMBS in 2015 (need a race license, do not need a team):

These event races require a one-day or one-year race license, although you do not need to be part of a racing team to compete. These climbing challenges come down to you, your bike and a mountain.

March 14, 2015 - Oredigger Classic Lookout Mountain ITT, Golden, 4.5mi
May 16, 2015 - Ride for the Pass, Independence Pass, Aspen 10M (no race license needed)
June 06, 2015 - Sunshine Hill Climb, Boulder, 9.1mi
June 14, 2015 - Guanella Pass Hillclimb, Georgetown, 11mi
July 25, 2015 - Bob Cook Memorial/Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs
August 1, 2015 - Colorado Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hill Climb, Golden, 4.5mi
August 9, 2015 - The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb, Manitou Springs, 28km

Major PROFESSIONAL CYCLING RACE Events in the United States for 2015:

CYCLO-CROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015, Austin, Texas
January 7-11, 2015 - 2015 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Austin, Texas.

U.S.A. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
List of dates and events at USA Cycling (BMX, track, collegiate, mountain bike, juniors, road)

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA - American Tour PRO RACE in California
May 10-17, 2015 - Tour of California professional stage race. The host cities were announced for 2015: Route of 2015 Amgen Tour of California announced By Pedal Dancer®. Read more information about the race at Pedal Dancer®: TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

PRO CUP - PRO XCT
June 27-28, 2015 - USA Cycling U.S. Cup Pro Series mountain bike race, Colorado Springs

LITTLETON CRITERIUM
August 1, 2015 - 2015 Littleton Criterium amateur and professional night criterium race, Littleton

TOUR OF UTAH - American Tour PRO RACE in Utah
August 3-9, 2015 - Tour of Utah professional stage race. The host cities were announced for 2015: Host Cities for 2015 Tour of Utah Announced By Pedal Dancer®.

USA PRO CHALLENGE - American Tour PRO RACE in Colorado
August 17-23, 2015 - Tour of Colorado professional stage race. The host cities were announced for 2015: Host Cities for 2015 USA Pro Challenge By Pedal Dancer®. Read more information about the race at Pedal Dancer®: USA PRO CHALLENGE

UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROAD
September 19-27, 2015 - World Championships Road, Richmond Virginia

Good luck in your quest to go higher, farther and faster in 2015

If you like (the days of painstaking work it took me to compile) this list, please share my calendar list with a note of high praise. If you want to add your event to the list, please contact me. If you want to advertise your event on the website, please contact me. If you appreciate the work I do, please show your appreciation on my Pedal Dancer® facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PedalDancerCycling or follow me on Twitter @KarenRake.

© Copyright content of this post by Karen Rakestraw / Pedal Dancer® is a trademark for all online content. 

If you are interested in venturing afar to try a new event in 2015, please see the list of events at this link: 2015 Cycling Events in the Western United States calendar list of cycling events in the nearby states of California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Iowa, and Wyoming.

When you think "you've done it all" - there is always more! Have a great year of cycling!

Road over Independence Pass Colorado, Pedal Dancer
The magnificent road over Independence Pass (12,095ft) in summer.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® Photography.
2017 Colorado bike rides and events: please go directly to Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2017

2016 Colorado bike rides and events: please go directly to Colorado Bike Event Rides Calendar & Bike Race Calendar 2016

21 December 2014

Braver Than The Elements

Fun on a Rapha Womens Bike Ride

There is just something about getting a badge that makes me happy.

I didn't even earn this badge. It was awarded to me in recognition of outstanding support vehicle.

Yesterday I helped support the Rapha Braver Than The Elements ride in Boulder, Colorado. An event which took place across the United States (Alabama, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New York, California, Oregon, Washington and BC, Canada!) on December 20th and saw over a thousand women gather on a cold winter's day to ride the elements and share good company. The ride in Boulder began in below freezing weather and covered 58-miles of dirt and paved roads, including roads I had never been upon. It was quite the adventure.

It reminded me exactly what makes cycling such a fun activity.

The Boulder Rapha Ambassador was able to bring together over seventy-five women, many of whom had never met each other before, and set them out in a straight - if somewhat strung-out - line upon the road to celebrate movement and a shared passion for cycling. It was a winter's day of new faces, new roads and non-competitive bike riding. It was also gloriously free. A wonderful reminder that the best of cycling comes down to a bike, some warm clothing and good companionship.

It doesn't even matter if you know where you are going.

Some of the women drove in from neighboring states or counties and were not familiar with the roads. They got lost, they got delayed, they created their own routes, and on one occasion they attempted to veer off-route by following a passing group of eighteen male riders (perfectly understandable). All of these distractions only added to their good moods. I witnessed strong capable women happy to be out riding their bikes together. Women who found their place in new groups and pedaled together to the finish line - which happened to be Boulder Beer Company, a worthy finish line I admit.

I wish I had taken more photos because the day, although quite cool, was spectacular. The scenery beautiful, the roads relatively quiet, and the inspiration of the women cyclists grand. I hope Rapha organizes this ride again, preferably next time when I do not have a bum knee.

It was a really fun day of watching women who made cycling look as carefree as their easy smiles after 58-miles of winter riding.

The gathering group of women before the start of the Braver Than The Elements in Boulder, CO
Keeping warm before the ride.
Trek Bicycles set up some of the women with free demo bikes. Rapha staff members were also on hand to enjoy the day.
We passed festive horses out on the dirt roads north of Boulder.
Rachael, from Nebraska, riding the open roads northeast of Boulder.
Rachael, Monica, and Michele happy at the end of the ride. They soon joined the other women for a beer inside Boulder Beer Company.

2014 Route of the Rapha Braver Than The Elements women's road ride, December 20th. Route Map

Also read: Joyful & Triumphant: Braver than the Elements, on the Rapha Blog, Words: Matthew Beaudin | Photography: Kevin Scott Batchelor | Date:

11 December 2014

The day that pro cycling died

December 10, 2014 

Yesterday was a tough day personally. Surprisingly I headed into the day holding onto a small morsel of hope that the cycling world could be set back on track, a track which had been anything but straight and narrow for decades. By late morning that hope was dashed, gone with the news that the UCI and License Commission had awarded Team Astana a 2015 WorldTour License.

We can get into talk of probationary periods, legal evidence and rules, but these topics apply only when you are in the meetings and extremely close to the situation (or the bank accounts). It doesn't require too many steps back from the center of the storm to realize that most people were expecting a change to be loudly made. This time we really needed a demonstration of leadership.

In the weeks ahead of the licensing decision by UCI, the media embarked on a heavy campaign - digging through their archives - to write any additional information they had to throw in the incriminating pot of "they did wrong" against Astana. By Tuesday, people held their breath, the hope held dear - UCI has no choice, they must not give Astana the license, it is the only right thing to do.

Apparently in a cheating sport, right has no place.

On Wednesday, December 10th, the international governing body of professional cycling demonstrated, through their timid actions (report), that they have no real power at this point in time to correct the invalidity of the sport of cycling. A license was granted to Astana, a team with five recent positive doping samples from five athletes and a long history of trouble, yet denied to the Europcar team for insufficient financing.

From my view, I can no longer look at any bike race and know the best man will win. Instead I know the best cheater will win. I had hoped that reality would be corrected in the new era of cycling, it will not. It is clear the story of changes in cycling was PR to keep the sponsor dollars flowing and the fans coming (which is what the sponsors want).

It becomes senseless to spend time in the future getting excited about a competition, or promoting an event, when I can only visualize the outcome resembling the last 1 kilometer of the 2012 Olympic road race when the known doper Alexandre Vinokourov effortlessy broke free to win the gold medal with the peloton left staring ahead defenseless. My heart sunk knowing Vinokourov would be Olympic Champion for four years; my heart sinks every time I look at the seven-year gap in the history of the Tour de France; my heart sinks every time I realize a young athlete will be forced to dope to compete.

My mind becomes numb in trying to find some reason to continue to support professional cycling.

Yesterday voices were heard denouncing the UCI's actions, voices were heard commending the outcome, photos were seen of the Astana team celebrating with champagne. But tell me this - what rider wants to compete against a corrupt team, what sponsor wants to give money to either have their brand name tarnished by doping or watch their clean team consistently lose?

Why would any young rider want the shame of declaring he or she is a professional cyclist? Why would any sponsor support a corrupt sport? Why would any fan want to spend their time on the events of a cheating sport? I don't think the UCI fully realizes how many fans finally had enough yesterday and turned their backs on the highest level of professional cycling.

If I were a sponsor, I would immediately redirect my dollars to recreational cycling, to local events, to young junior riders and to the MAMILS of the world. There is no reason not to refocus our attention on the common man who loves riding on two wheels. It is the every day cyclist who is a much more noble cause than a cheating pro.
 - - - 

I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 Tour de France, I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 World Championships in Richmond, VA, I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 USA Pro Challenge in Colorado - instead I think I will take my own trips in 2015 to ride my own bike and not waste my time on what will be a corrupt outcome in a corrupt sport. I'd rather hang out with my friends and stay healthy.

Any sponsors interested in following the exodus from pro cycling can find the Regular Joe Cyclists out on the road using your products themselves. Come join us for some good honest fun. 

We'll be out doing it ourselves. Riding with my brother in the Alps - photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.
Update 12/16/14: The highly respected voice of America sport - Juliet Macur - has written an honest article about the Steve Johnson finally departing USA Cycling. Executive’s Ride Into Sunset Signals Brighter Day for U.S.A. Cycling, By Juliet Macur for The New York Times.

Related Posts by Pedal Dancer: The structure of cycling in America

Update Feb/March 2015:

Meanwhile, I did not quite give up, I did spend the recent months updating the Pedal Dancer Guide Pages to:


09 December 2014

Host Cities for 2015 Tour of Utah Announced

A scenic Tour of Utah 2015

The host cities and stages of the Larry Miller Tour of Utah were announced today.

Tour of Utah: August 3-9, 2015

If you like taking a road trip through magnificent scenery; find rest stops oddly relaxing; enjoy exploring small towns in America and like the feel of the open road - the state of Utah is perfect for you. If you like unprecedented access to professional cycling teams and plenty of mountain climbs, the Tour of Utah (along with the Critérium du Dauphiné in France) is one of the best to see. If you want to be guaranteed that Astana will not be invited to your vacation, definitely go to Utah.

Although Utah is next door to Colorado, and along my usual drive home to California, I have never been to this race. It is true I don't care much for Tom Danielson, the overall winner for the past two years, but the real reasons are limited vacation days, the USA Pro Challenge taking place the following week, and my limited income (make that non-existent) does not allow me to spend lavishly upon hotels across the state of Utah (although they are not all that lavish), I'm just cheap.

From what I hear from fellow photographers - it is the race to attend. I particularly enjoyed hearing last year's story by Jens Voigt of leaving his hotel room to sneak out for a strawberry shake in Richfield, UT only to find a large group of riders doing the exact same thing. The Tour of Utah is an UCI-sanctioned, multi-stage, North American pro cycling event race, but one where you will enjoy a small town feel. Some very good teams raced in 2014, and not the same ones that competed at the Amgen Tour of California (May) or in the USA Pro Challenge (August).

Larry Miller Tour of Utah
August 3-9 2015
www.tourofutah.com
www.facebook.com/tourofutah
7 Stages

Host Cities and Stage of 2015 Larry Miller Tour of Utah Google Map

List of 2015 Host Cities (and thereby closely the route) of the Tour of Utah:

August 3, 2015 - Stage 1: Logan - Logan
August 4, 2015 - Stage 2: Tremonton - Ogden
August 5, 2015 - Stage 3: Antelope Island State Park (it's an island!) - Bountiful
August 6, 2015 - Stage 4: Soldier Hollow - Soldier Hollow
August 7, 2015 - Stage 5: Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City
August 8, 2015 - Stage 6: Salt Lake City - Snowbird Resort
August 9, 2015 - Stage 7: Park City

Tour of Utah Women’s Edition Criterium Classic

Day 1: Logan, UT
Day 2: Ogden, UT


The beautiful desert of Utah
Utah scenery.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

05 December 2014

The structure of cycling in America

The levels of bike racing in the United States

Recently I attended an annual awards party for local road bike racing in Colorado; dinner was served before presentations and honors were awarded. Across the table from me sat four young, very talented, bike racers who had raced in the Juniors 17-18 year-old category for the past year. For them it was far more than a year, it had been years of racing and friendships formed by being on the same bike team. Even at their young age, I could tell their identity as bike racers had been forged. "What is next for you?" I asked with true interest. "Not sure, we will try to stay involved."

Theirs seems a fragile age of talent on the brink of waste. If they want more, these young men must be both judged and proven good enough to follow a selective path to national and international development. In addition they must completely devote themselves - and thereby their families - to the job of becoming a pro rider. A job which entails mandatory team contracts year after year, sacrifice, discipline and focus.

Their other possibility is heading to university, where few (but some) schools offer collegiate cycling teams. Only twenty-one colleges sustain official cycling teams across our nation. The remaining young riders have the option to compete in local bike races against grown men who have two or three $10,000 bikes each with excess money for gadgets and personal coaches. Their youthful identity and potential shelved through college, career building and a growing family, they wait to pounce on their big identity comeback as a local amateur hero, consuming their family weekends and holidays to attend bike races.

For some, this is enough, but for others, life begins or is altered at age 17.

How many of us want to be judged at age seventeen? How many of us were that solid at such a young age that talent, awareness, determination, tough mind, tougher body, money, support, means, guidance, opportunity and a good coach all aligned to make dreams happen? That is why continuing support of age 17 to 23 (U23, under age 23) programs are critical in the formation of a good racer.

I have a dear friend who - although he came from impeccable cycling genes - did not begin bike racing until age 24. Within a few stellar years he earned his place on an American Continental team. Although his ability is impressively strong, the sacrifices he has made for his love of bike racing are both scary and admirable.

Not every young bike racer is so lucky or so daring.  The organizational structure of cycling in America is critical in building a strong foundation for the sport for all ages, but for the rider age 17 to 23 - sponsorship, anti-doping, good equipment, proper physical training, respectful coaching, team unity and recognition of hard work is vital.

So much must fall in place for the potential of an athlete to be realized.

I think running might be a much easier sport to pursue. Cycling is not easy: it is not consistently available throughout our nation and it receives little overall attention, with less money. Yet I couldn't help but watch the 2014 Tour de France in admiration and wonder "Who is in charge of junior/U-23 development in France (and Belgium), because they appear to be doing a lot of things right?" No matter the nationality - young fresh talent might just save this sport in crisis.

How bike racing works in America (facts)
  • 2,700+ bike clubs and teams, high school teams, adjunct junior teams (find a club)
  • 57 Junior only bike clubs and teams 
  • 11 honored centers of excellence Junior and Under-23 development teams
  • 21 Collegiate Varsity (and emerging varsity) teams
  • 34 local bike racing associations (state or regional) 
  • 7 USA sport committees (BMX, Collegiate, Cyclo, Mountain Bike, Pro, Road, and Track)
  • 1 American governing body - USA Cycling
  • 1 International governing body - Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
This is a long list of organizations, we can be quick tp realize this much bureaucracy teeters on really good people doing a really good job, or bad people doing a lousy job and messing it all up. Sadly, sport can shred the potential in good individuals through poor administration.

In 2013, leadership at the top level of UCI changed hands to British citizen Brian Cookson (Cookson presents re-worked cycling reforms to race organisers By CyclingNews). Improvements to the organization have been quick, slow, controversial and ongoing; so much more needs to be done. Major personnel changes also took place at USA Cycling in 2014, even more changes can be expected there through 2015. Changes are needed all around to manage growth in the lower ranks and recession in the upper ranks, plus dismal reputation of the sport.

Update 12/09/14: Steve Johnson to step down as CEO of USA Cycling, by Cycling News
Update 12/16/14: The highly respected voice of America sport - Juliet Macur - has written an honest article about Steve Johnson finally departing USA Cycling. Executive’s Ride Into Sunset Signals Brighter Day for U.S.A. Cycling, By Juliet Macur for The New York Times.

History of USA Cycling's name

1921 - The Amateur Bicycle League of America
1975 - United States Cycling Federation (USCF)
1995 - USA Cycling (USAC)
 
Programs and events nationwide to create better bike racers or more cyclists
  • Cycling Advocacy Organizations
  • USA Cycling certified coaching program
  • Bike club clinics and training rides
  • Local bike racing associations' development camps & seminars
  • Local amateur, collegiate, regional, and national racing calendar and events
  • Over 3,000 USA Cycling sanctioned events a year
  • National Collegiate events and Regional Collegiate Conferences
  • National Championships (annual)
  • World Championships (annual)
  • Olympics
Tremendous growth in bike racing was realized over the past five years in both the upper age-ranges (35+ to 55+) and the junior programs. Youthful discovery in sport often takes a planned course through junior development to pro level racing, but there is no one way to achieve success in cycling. Much of it has to do with getting that lucky break or getting along with people. And spending a lot of time racing in the saddle.

Opportunities for select individuals only and Teams
  • USA Cycling National Development Program
  • USA Cycling Regional and National Talent ID Camps
  • USA Cycling Juniors international racing camps and trips
  • USA Cycling European resident programs for Americans (men and women)
  • USA Cycling U23 Mens Team and Womens Team (roster)
  • National Teams
  • 3 UCI America based Women's Teams- Road
  • 9 UCI America based Continental Teams - Road (mens)
  • 3 UCI America based Professional Continental Teams - Road (mens)
  • 3 UCI America based WorldTour Pro Teams - Road (mens)
By the time a Junior/U23 makes it through selection and development, there are not too many team options available to him (and less to her). It is also known that with the restructuring of the UCI into 2016, there will be even fewer WorldTour Pro Teams. Below is a list of Pro Teams, some are in the process of reorganization, signing riders, and applying for licensing (exact team structure and sponsorship for 2015 is not fully known at this time).

American UCI Road Teams

UCI Mens WorldTour Pro Teams: (3 of 18 total teams worldwide)
BMC Racing Team
Team Cannondale-Garmin
Trek Factory Racing

UCI Mens Professional Continental Teams: (3 of 19 total teams worldwide)
Colombia (South America)
Team Novo Nordisk
UnitedHealthcare

UCI Mens Road Continental Teams: (23 of 141 total teams worldwide)

United States:
Airgas-Safeway
Astellas Cycling Team
Axeon Cycling Team
Champion System-Stan's NoTubes
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
IRT Racing
Jamis-Hagens Berman
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
Lupus Racing Team
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Team SmartStop

Domincan Republic:
Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team (DOM)

South America:
Buenos Aires Privincia
Incycle Cannondale
Funvic Sao Jose Dos Campos
Orgullo Antioquendo
San Luis Somos Todos
Sendicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan
Start - Massi Cycling Team
Team Ecuador

Canada:
Garneau Quebecor
H&R Block Pro Cycling (U23 Development)
Silber Pro Cycling

UCI Womens Teams: (7 of 37 total teams worldwide)
Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team (South America)
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b/ The Happy Tooth (USA)
Team Tibco - SVB (USA)
Twenty 16 p/b/ Sho-Air (USA)
United Healthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Xirayas de San Luis (South America)

View all teams listed at: Pro Cycling Stats Teams
View 2015 team rider transfer list at Cycling Fever or Pro Cycling Stats Transfers

UCI Mens Domestic Elite Teams - American (24 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)


Athlete Octane Cycling
Bissell-ABG-Giant
Breakawaybikes.com-Vie13 p/b Felt Bicycles
California Giant/Specialized
Canyon Bicycles - Shimano
CRCA/Blue Ribbon - Pennell Venture Partners
CRCA/Lupus Racing Team
Credité Velo - Trek
Ego p/b Sammy's Bikes
Elbowz Racing
Gateway Harley-Davidson/Trek
GIANT Regional ON-ROAD Team
Hagens Berman U-23 Cycling
Horizon Organic / Einstein Bros. Cycling
KHS-Maxxis p/b JAKROO
Kelly Benefit Strategies Elite
Live Well p/b Bountiful Bicycle
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b Yourkey.com
Revolution Cycle/Twin 6
SeaSucker/Guttenplan Coaching
Stan's NoTubes p/b Proferrin Elite Cycling
Team Metra / Cycles 54
Team Rio Grande 
Van Dessel Factory Team

UCI Womens Domestic Elite Teams - American (17 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)


Cloud Racing p/b Ride 2 Recovery
Colavita-Fine Cooking
CRCA/CityMD Racing
CRCA/Stan's NoTubes p/b enduranceWERX
DNA Cycling p/b K4
FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore
Fearless Femme
Garneau Factory Team
Guru Cycles p/b Haute Wheels Racing
PainPathways Women's Cycling
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling
Pinnacle-Reactor p/b JL Velo
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b YourKey.com
Team Belladium
Tennessee Women's Cycling Project
TWENTY16 Pro Cycling
Vanderkitten

NRC (National Racing Calendar) -
NCC (National Criterium Calendar) -
Pedal Dancer 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

Did you know?
  • Every state in the United States but Oregon, South Dakota, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Alaska (and Wyoming I was just informed) have state cycling associations associated with USA Cycling? Oregon operates its own independent Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA).
  • Over 76,000 citizens hold USA Cycling racing licenses.
  • Tejay van Garderen, Timmy Duggan, Danny Summerhill, Ted King, Michael Creed, Danny Pate, Nate Brown, Kiel Reijnen, Chris Butler, Ryan Eastman, Taylor Phinney and many more top level pro cyclists started in junior clubs or through USA Cycling U-23 programs.
If your child is interested in getting into the sport of cycling - USA Cycling offers this Athlete Development Pathway guide. If your child is a girl - start lobbying now for equal pay in cycling. If your child is interested in running - buy him or her a good pair of running shoes, open the front door, and go for a run together.

- - - -

Here is a photo I took in 2011 of local Colorado junior wonder Gage Hecht. Two weeks ago Gage won the Mens Juniors 2014-2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium. Watching his growth through the junior programs has been amazing.

USA Cycling race report... "American Gage Hecht (Parker, Colo./Alpha Bicycle Company/Visit Subaru). The 16-year-old Hecht beat out three Belgian favorites for the win, crossing the line seven seconds ahead of second-place finisher."

A young 13-year old Gage Hecht in 2011 spending his weekends doing what he loves (with his parents always nearby). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

04 December 2014

Recommended Reading: Christian Haettich

Read this inspirational story of French athlete Christian Haettich:

Cycling over the Pyrenees with one leg

Christian Haettich was one of ten cyclists to complete the Triple Crown Haute Route in 2014. He did it pedaling with one leg and one arm, and at the age of 53! 

Triple Crown: three back-to-back seven-day events
Haute Route Dolomites
Haute Route Alps
Haute Route Pyrenees
22 days of racing
1 rest day
1,600 miles (2,575km)
60 ascents
60,000m of climbing

The 2015 Haute Route routes are already planned:
Pyrenees route 15-21 August 2015, Anglet to Toulouse, France (west to east)
Alps route  23-29 August 2015, Nice, France to Geneva, Switzerland
Dolomites Swiss Alps route 31 August - 6 September 2015, Geneva, Switzerland to Venice, Italy

How to enjoy 7 days in the Dolomites

Host Cities for 2015 USA Pro Challenge

The cities to host the 2015 Colorado stage race were announced today

Race Organizers have changed things up this year, which was needed. Colorado truly is a magnificent state, we have so much natural beauty and so many wonderful mountain towns that I am happy to see new places and roads featured for the 2015 race.

STAGES AND HOST CITIES FOR 2015 USA PRO CHALLENGE IN COLORADO
  • Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 17 – Steamboat Springs Circuit Race
  • Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin
  • Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen
  • Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 20 – Aspen to Breckenridge
  • Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 21 – Breckenridge Individual Time Trial
  • Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 22 - Loveland to Fort Collins (announced 12/22/14)
  • Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 23 – Golden to Denver
*Exact routes and roads will be announced in spring 2015.

First impression of the 2015 route (which is conceivable based upon the order of host cities) is a raced formed across long road climbs. The kind of race where team work matters and many new names will be seen on the podium. Still it will be the kind of race where experience trumps all. There are opportunities for a sprinter, for a strong finishing climber, for a time trialist able to manage a twisty climbing course, but especially for a true team leader. To win - your team will have to sacrifice.

About the race between Host Cities

Steamboat Springs  |  A Basin  |  Copper Mountain  |  Aspen  |  Breckenridge  |  ???  |  Golden  |  Denver

Overall this will be a very nice week in Colorado. 

The race begins in Steamboat Springs - a welcoming cowboy ski town northwest of Denver. The following day there will be an early climb over Rabbit Mountain and a final climb to the ski station of Arapahoe Basin (A Basin) - one of my favorite roads to cycle in Colorado (especially the nearby Loveland Pass). Next the peloton will depart Copper Mountain, another ski village, and climb over Independence Pass into the familiar city of Aspen. They won't stay long, the next day the riders climb back to Breckenridge where the 9600'ft elevation individual time trial will take place the following day on Stage 5. This will be a do not miss day in Breckenridge (it's a Friday).

Breckenridge is an excellent choice to base the peloton and it's entourage for two nights. As welcoming as Steamboat, the city is even more scenic and excels at hosting large events.

Update 12/22/14: Stage 6 route of the USA Pro Challenge has been decided and announced, the stage will start in Loveland and end in Fort Collins. The exact route is not known at this time

2015 STAGE 6 USA PRO: Loveland to Fort Collins

After departing Breckenridge the peloton enters the yet unknown; the host cities and route of Stage 6 have yet to be decided. Race Organizers fancy the promotional idea of putting the vote to the people, a repeat of 2014 when they chose to get the people involved in route planning (or so it looks, I never know if they actually have the route fully planned already).

I think imagining routes is as fun as riding them - so share your ideas, if it does not impact this year, it might impact next year's route. Where should the race proceed between Breckenridge (Stage 5) and the start in Golden (Stage 7); your route idea must be within 150 miles of Denver. Take into consideration that Stage 6 is on a Saturday, so race organizers will want big crowds and good TV viewing, also the peloton will bed in downtown Denver for the last two nights to ease logistics. The race finish is once again in Denver on a Sunday.

Stage 6 options:
  • Within 150 miles of Denver
  • Easy bus transfer for riders into Denver after the stage finish
  • Generally National Parks are off limits
  • Consider the costs to the towns suffering from recent fire or flood damage
  • It cost 250,000+ to close an interstate off-ramp
  • Team cars must be able to follow the riders
  • The route should attract big crowds
  • The route should look spectacular on TV
  • A clear leader will have emerged the day before after the ITT

Share your idea for the route of Stage 6 USA Pro Challenge 2015 here: prochallenge.com/2015stage6. (voting closed)

Stage 6 should be located somewhere inside this circle. There are a lot of mountains between Breckenridge and Golden, but not all roads/paths are suitable for a peloton and team cars (e.g., the I-70 corridor; Mt Evans is a National Park)
Previous host cities north or northwest of Denver include Boulder, Loveland and Fort Collins
Previous or possible host cities southwest of Denver include Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Idaho Springs, and Golden.

My wish for Stage 6

I would like to see the race go up Lookout Mountain again to Squaw Pass and Red Rocks. For Front Range Colorado Cyclists - this is our prime stomping ground. Alternatively a stage between the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs  east to the Black Forrest rollers could be a tactically interesting race to watch.  There will be some noise to get the US Pro Challenge back onto Flagstaff mountain in Boulder - which just reopened this week - but Boulder is a very controversial location. My loyalty will always go to Golden or Loveland/Fort Collins for the historical support they have given the race over the years.

My route choice for Stage 6 is logistically challenging, but what a race it would be with terrific TV camera coverage:

Golden - Lookout Mountain - Idaho Springs - Echo Lake - Squaw Pass - Kerr Gulch - Red Rocks - Golden
+8,589 ft   |   -8,593 ft    |    79.5 miles  |   max elev. 11,152 ft   |   anything could happen


Golden Loop

My second wish for Stage 6

The Peak to Peak Highway is a scenic byway crossing a beautiful stretch of high country Colorado. A route from Loveland to Eldora Ski Resort would attract crowds from Fort Collins, Loveland, Boulder, Nederlands, Golden and Denver. I am a fan of shorter pro routes where the racing begins from the start and continues throughout the stage. This route would parallel the continental divide north to south and features challenging false flats at altitude.

The Ranch - Loveland downtown - Big Thompson - Estes Park - Allenspark - Nederlands - Eldora
+8,625 ft  |  -4,324 ft  |  85.0 miles  |  max elev. 9,367 ft  |  magnificent Rocky Mountain climbing


Loveland to Eldora
Team Evergreen had a great idea for a route: http://teamevergreen.org/mtevans/course-map-2/

Lakewood - Golden - Lookout Mountain - Red Rocks Park - Morrison - Evergreen - Squaw Pass - Echo Lake - Idaho Springs - Georgetown - Guenella Pass.
14, 651 ft  |  97.1 Miles  |  super challenging

Lakewood to Guenella Pass over Lookout Mtn and up Squaw Pass


Send in your wish for the stage route: help plan Stage 6


The race in 2015

There will definitely be new teams racing in 2015. Changes have been made to the names, sponsors and ranks in the Pro Teams, Pro Continental and Continental teams. Even the women's teams are reforming for 2015. No announcement has been made yet about additional details of the women's stage race planned in conjunction with the 2015 USA Pro Challenge.

Exact Route details will be announced in spring 2015, this is when we will fully discover all the other great small towns the race will visit or pass through next summer. Teams will be announced in the months preceding, with final rosters announced 1 week before the race start.

August 17-23, 2015 should be a very nice week to spend on vacation in Colorado.

Remember - head to Steamboat Springs early so you can see and ride next to the teams training in the days before the race start!  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.

02 December 2014

Spending and Giving

It is giving Tuesday, a global celebration

Most of us were brought up to believe that it is better to give than receive. That through giving we can be happy and feel productive, that giving makes us better people. But giving makes much of the good in this world possible. It is fact that much of the arts, non-profit organizations, research, medical advances and education have not only been funded through our governments and our taxes, but by businesses and very generous individuals.

We couldn't make changes in this world without the giving of the very rich and the very poor. Every day thousands give their time to volunteering, others give their money. Both are equally valuable.

Give wisely

Now this is where the lessons lie: how many of us have participated in sporting events for a cause, even when that cause is not one we selected, and even when the event organizers went looking for any cause so they looked good? I for one like to support a cause I believe in. I think ALS is a terrible disease, but when cancer has taken the lives of my grandfather, an Aunt, two Uncles, and has been diagnosed and treated in my Mother, Father, all three of my brothers, myself and my dog - Cancer will always be my cause of choice.

This year I made small donations to individual friends who were conquering their dreams, and to the Amy Dombroski Foundation; the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado's Junior program; Trips for Kids; and today to StandUpToCancer. I hate cancer.


Give today, and if you hate cancer too - give here to S↑2C  Stand Up To Cancer

If you have no money to give The Guardian (UK) gives some excellent ideas on how your can give. Giving Tuesday: 10 ways to donate that don’t cost a penny.

Give to your favorite cause.