Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2016

2016 Colorado Bike Ride and Cycling Event Calendar List

2017 EVENT CALENDAR: Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2017

You have discovered the comprehensive free bike event calendar in Colorado. Every year, thousands of road cyclists, gravel riders, mountain bikers, fat bike lovers and cruisers use the Pedal Dancer® bicycling event list to plan their personal cycling season. This is a fine list of bike events, organized by hard-working enthusiasts to bring you cycling events across our state; from free rides to charitable fundraisers to week-long bike tours.

There is much in store for local and visiting cyclists to Colorado in 2016. Get ready to escape on your bike in search of that next great ride. Any one of the rides listed below could change your path and expand your beliefs in what you are capable of doing both mentally and physically. What excites you about cycling in Colorado? What roads have you yet to ride? What mountain pass yet to climb, what speed yet to attain, what coffee shop yet to visit, what new friend yet to meet?

The Pedal Dancer Event Calendar List is now in it's fifth year, intending to inspire and help you plan and register for an event. Updated throughout the year, below is a calendar list of bike events in Colorado in date order with known 2016 dates and links to the cycling event website.

• If you would like to have your event added (for free) to the list, please contact me.
• For a list of bike races, please transfer to: Colorado and National Bike Race Calendar List 2016

It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot.
And to experience what you might otherwise have not. ~ me

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

The beautiful Swan Mountain bike path on route to Breckenridge. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

BIKE EVENTS

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

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

2017 EVENT CALENDAR: Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2017

Cycling EVENT RIDES and bike TOURS in Colorado in 2016:

January 3, 2016 - Resolution Ride, Parker, 20/30/40mi
January 16, 2016 - Winter Park Fat Bike Series - Frosty Fraser, Winter Park, Fat Bike
January 23, 2016 - Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series - Copper Mountain, Fat bike/MTB
February 7, 2016 - Old Man Winter Rally, Boulder, 50K/100K, gravel & paved & run
February 13, 2016 - Winter Park Fat Bike Series, Granby Ranch, Fat Bike
February 20, 2016 - Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series, Tennessee Pass Night Jam, Ski Cooper, Fat bike/MTB
January 27-31, 2016 - Fat Bike World Championships, Crested Butte, 20mi, Fat Bike
March 5, 2016 - Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series -Mineral Belt Mayhem, Leadville, Fat bike/MTB
March 12, 2016 - Winter Park Fat Bike Series -Rendezvous Rally, Winter Park, Fat Bike
March 12-15 , 2016 - Skinny Tire Festival, Moab, Utah, bike & run
April 2, 2016 - Winter Park Fat Bike Series - Granby Ranch to Snow Mtn Ranch, Fat Bike
April 2, 2016 - AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, Monument, 50/160mi, gravel
April 23, 2106 - Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series - East Side Epic, Leadville, Fat bike/MTB
April 28-May 1, 2016 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival, multi-event, MTB
April 30, 2016 - Ridgeline Rampage, Castle Rock, 16-mile circuit, MTB
April 30, 2016 - Encierro Ride (gravel), Monument, 50/100K
April 30, 2016 - Foothills Climbfest, Ken Caryl, 81mi, 8,000ft
May 1, 2016 - Rose Hill Rally, Grand Junction, 31/62mi (facebook) 
May 6-7, 2016 - 18 Hours of Fruita, Fruita, 7+mi repeated loop, MTB
May 7, 2016 - Dessert Rats Mtn Bike Classic, Kokopelli Trail CO-UT, 50/100K, MTB
May __, 2016 - Mission to Ride, Montrose, 40/60/100mi, road & MTB
May 14, 2016 - Battle The Bear, Lakewood, 10/20/30/50mi, MTB
May 20-22, 2016 - The Grand Junction Off Roa, Grand Junction (MTB)  
May 21, 2016 - Ride for the Pass, Independence Pass opening the road, Aspen, 10mi
May 21, 2016 - Triple C - Bike Ride, Broomfield, 45/62/100mi 
May 21, 2016 - Pony Xpress (gravel), Trinidad, 70/160K
May 22, 2016 - McKee Classic Bike Tour, Loveland, 5/30/37/60mi
May 22, 2016 - Santa Fe Century, Santa Fe, New Mexico 20/50/103.9mi
May 28-30, 2016 - Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango-Silverton, 50mi
May 28, 2016 - Boulder Fearsome Five, Boulder, 100mi, 15,000+ft
May 28, 2016 - The Half Growler, Gunnison, 32mi, MTB
May 29, 2016 - The Original (Full) Growler, Gunnison, 64mi, MTB
May 29, 2016 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Monument, 22/44/66/88/110mi
June 4, 2016 - Palisade Gran Fondo, Palisade, 40/69mi
June 4, 2016 - PV Cycle Derby, Elbert, 15/22/33/55mi, MTB 
June 4-5, 2016 - Eagle Outside Festival & Expo (Firebird 40), Eagle, 40K, MTB
June 4, 2016 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista 38/50/62/97mi
June 5, 2016 - Little Park Road Hillclimb, Grand Junction, 13.21mi, 1752.31ft
June 5, 2016 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock, 40/62/100mi, road
June 5, 2016 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, 27mi, gravel
June 9-10, 2016 - Ride The Rockies Prologue Ride (by special invite/registration)
June 11-13, 2016 - Death Ride Tour, Silverton, 225mi, 3-days
June 11-17, 2016 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, week-long tour
June 11, 2016 - Gran Fondo Aspen, Aspen, 54.9mi
June 11, 2016 - Pedaling for Parkinson's, Denver, 55mi
June 11, 2016 - Colorado High Country Double Century, Boulder, 207mi, 12,000ft
June 11, 2016 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park, 50/75/106mi 
June 12, 2016 - Eddy Rando - Parker, 20/40mi fast/slow, steel bikes & party 8:00am Map
June 16, 2016 - Urban Assault Ride, Boulder, obstacle challenge
June 18, 2016 - G'Night Ride, Longmont, 1/3/12mi, cruiser family ride
June 18, 2016 - Moots Colorado Ranch Rally, Steamboat Springs, 50mi, dirt road/gravel 
June 18, 2016 - Pedal 4 Possible, Louisville, 100mi 10/50/100K
June 18, 2016 - Starlight Spectacular, Garden of the Gods, night ride short ride
June 18, 2016 - Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride, Denver, 25/50/75/100mi
June 18, 2016 - Bailey Hundo Bailey, 102.47mi, MTB
June 18, 2016 - Bailey Hundito Bailey, MTB
June 19, 2016 - Betti Bike Bash, Castle Rock, MTB, women only
June 19-25, 2016 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado, week-long tour
June 19, 2016 - Backcountry Burner, Highlands Ranch, MTB
June 25, 2016 - Sopris Century/Ride for the Child, Carbondale, 12/31/60/100mi
June 25, 2016 - Cycle to Saturn, Golden, 201mi, 20,000ft, Double Century
June 25-26, 2016 - Rough Riders 200, Angle Fire, NM, 50/100/150/200mi, 2-days 
June 25-26, 2016 - Bike MS Colorado, Fort Collins, 30-124mi options 1 or 2 days
June 16, 2016 - Urban Assault Ride, Denver, obstacle challenge
July 9, 2016 - Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5m, women only
July 9, 2016 - Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft
July 9-10, 2016 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120mi/240mi, 1 or 2 days
July 10, 2016 - Turin Retro Ride, Denver, Turin Bicycle Shop
July 16, 2016 - Bike to Build (SLV Century), Alamosa San Luis Valley, 35/60/100mi
July 16, 2016 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge 100mi, MTB
July 17, 2016 - Rapha 100 Women's Ride, Boulder, women's only ride, 100km
July 23, 2016 - Bob Cool Memorial Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs, 28mi, 6,900ft 
July 23, 2016 - Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 25/40/110mi
July 23-24, 2016 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties, 3-days
July 23-30, 2016 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado, week-long tour
July 23, 2016 - SOS Outreach Colorado - Eagle River Ride, Beaver Creek, 42/68/100mi
July 23, 2016 - Bob Cook Mem'l Mt Evans Citizens Gran Fondo Hill Climb, Idaho Springs, 6630ft
July 30, 2016 - Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker Charity Ride, Montrose, 33/50/75/115/155mi
July 30, 2016 - 155 Team Challenge Gran Fondo, Montrose
July 30, 2016 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi (a challenge!)
July 30, 2016 - Circle the Summit (Bob Guthrie Memorial), Summit County, 21/45/60/100mi
July 30, 2016 - Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl, 207mi, 19,000ft, Double Century
July 31-August 6, 2016 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
August 6, 2016 - I-25 Kia Copper Triangle, Copper Mountain, 82mi
August 6, 2016 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
August 7, 2016 - Classic Velo Retro Rider, Boulder, Vecchio's at 10am
August 9-14, 2016 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 35-50mi a day, 6-day stage race, MTB 
August 13, 2016 - Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi, MTB
August 13, 2016 - Red Rocks Gran Fondo, Red Rocks (a hard one!), 33/50/62/100mi
August 13, 2016 - BStrong Ride, Boulder, 24/69mi
August 13, 2016 - The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb Gran Fondo, 12.42m, ~8,000ft
August 13, 2016 - Prestige Imports Vuelta a Dillon Fondo, Dillon, 20/60/90mi
August 13, 2016 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 30/50/78/100mi
August 20, 2016 - Tour de Cure Colorado, Longmont, 10/50/62/100mi
August 20, 2016 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden, 200mi, 15,000ft
August 28, 2016 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 20/60/90mi
August 27, 2016 - Colo Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hillclimb, Golden, 4.6mi, 1200ft
August 27, 2016 - Venus de Miles, Boulder, 33/51/100mi, women only
August 27, 2016 - CF Cycle For Life (Cystic Fibrosis), Highlands Ranch, 14/49/65mi
August 28, 2016 - Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County), 62/100mi
August 29, 2016 - Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 60/100mi
September 3, 2016 - The Axel Project Bicycle Classic, San Juan Mountains, 48/80mi
September 4, 2016 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, 134mi, paved and dirt
September 9-11, 2016 - Vail Outlier, Vail, enduro, ultra XC MTB 
September 10-11, 2016 - Vapor Trail 125, Salida 125mi, midnight MTB, 1 night
September 11, 2016 - Wacky Bike Ride, Highlands Ranch, 6/45/62/100mi   
September 11, 2016 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder, 35/50/70/100/110mi
September 15-18, 2016 - Salida Bike Fest, Salida, MTB, 4-days
September 16-18, 2016 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Eastern Plains, 3-days
September 17, 2016 - Tour de Vineyards, Palisade, 25mi
September 17, 2016 - Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race, Salida 26mi, MTB
September 17, 2016 - Boulder Bike Brew Festival (by Cyclists 4 Community), Boulder
September 17, 2016 - Golden Giddy Up, Golden, Festival, MTB, Enduro
September 17-18, 2016 - Todd & Ned's Durango Dirt Fondo, Durango, 30/50mi, 2-days
September 18, 2016 - Monarch Crest Crank, Salida, 25mi, MTB
September 24, 2016 - Mountains To The Desert Bike Ride, Telluride, 70/100/103/133/200mi
September 24, 2016 - Telluride 200, Telluride, 200mi
September 24, 2016 - Bikes and Brews, Royal Gorge, Canon City, cruiser, road & MTB
September 24, 2016 - Royal Gorge Century, Royal Gorge, Canon City, 100mi
September 24, 2016 - Ride 4 Success, Greeley, family/25/50mi
September 24, 2016 - Tour de Cure Southern Colorado, Colorado Springs, 10/50/62/100mi
October 1, 2016 - Pedal 50, Monument, 55mi, gravel *free
October 1, 2016 - Moab Century Tour, Moab, Utah, 40/60/100mi
October 1, 2016 - Icon Tour of the Moon, Grand Junction, 62mi

For a growing list of mountain biking events and races, please go to: Colorado and National Bike Race Calendar List 2016.

A day of bikes, friends and swag. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Colorado cycling EVENTS, FILMS, SUMMITS, SWAPS, PARTIES, FUNDRAISERS, and KEY REGISTRATION DATES in 2016:

List of Colorado bike swaps, special events, parties, bike meetings, award nights, key registration dates, bike camps and so much more.

December 1, 2016 - Lottery Registration opens for Leadville Trail 100, MTB, results in Jan
December 5, 2016 - Registration opens for Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
December to February 10th, 2016 - Registration for Baily Hundo 102, MTB
January 11, 2016 - Registration opens for Triple Bypass 2016
January 25-30, 2016 - Various activities Winter Bike Week, Denver
January 26, 2016 - Meetup Bikes Biz & Beer, Denver, every 2 months, (must RSVP)
January 27, 2016 - Ride Movement Winter Bike to Work Day, FREE Denver B-cycle day
January 27, 2016 - Nutrition Resolution Solutions by Caroline Smith, Giant Store, Littleton
January 27-31, 2016 - Festival Fat Bike World Championships, Crested Butte, Fat Bike
January 28, 2016 - Show and Tell Fat Bike Night, Denver
January 30, 2016 - Awards Party Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado Cross Cup 2015
January 31, 2016 - Fundraiser Trips for Kids Sundays with Fausto, Denver, 4-10pm
January 31, 2016 - Expo Colorado Custom and Vintage Bicycle Expo, Jefferson County Fairgrounds
February 6, 2016 - Route Announcement Party for Ride the Rockies 2016
February 6 - March 1, 2016 - Registration opens for Ride the Rockies 2016
February 8-9, 2016 - Meeting Colorado Bicycle Summit, Denver, Advocacy
February 18, 2016 - Movie Inspired to Ride (by Pedal of Littleton), Alamo Drafthouse, 7:15pm
February 24, 2016 - Officials Meeting BRAC 
February 24, 2016 - Cyclocross Race Directors Meeting BRAC
February 28, 2016 - Women's bike Clinic - ride your first Century, Campus Cycles Lakewood, 10-12pm
March 31, 2016 - Bike Shop fun Heels on Wheels, Denver, Women only
April 5, 2016 - Meetup Bikes Biz & Beer, Denver, every 2 months, (must RSVP)
April 21, 2016 - Bike Shop fun Heels on Wheels, Lakewood, Women only
April 29, 2016 - Fundraiser Bicycle Colorado Gala Fundraiser, Denver
April 30, 2016 - Bike Swap Colorado Springs VeloSwap, Colorado Springs, *Free buy and sell
May 4, 2016 - Ride Movement National Walk Bike to School Day
May 5, 2016 - Women's Night, WRC Women's Night Out, Wheat Ridge bike shop, 6-9pm
May 6-8, 2016 - Camp Junior Road Camp, Divide, CO, Tri Velo Series
May 8, 2016 - Ride Movement CycloFemme Day annual women's ride, check local rides
May 12, 2016 - Women's Night at Boulder Cycle Sport, 6-8pm
May 13-14, 2016 - Expo Colorado Bike Expo, Denver, 3-day outdoor event
May 16-20, 2016 - Ride Movement National Bike to Work Week
May 20, 2016 - Ride Movement National Bike to Work Day
May 22, 2016 - Meet n Greet Women Bike Colorado, Sterne Park Littleton, 1-5pm
June 12, 2016 - Ride with steel bikes! Eddy Rando, Parker with party after 8:00am Map
June 12, 2016 - Jesse Swift Benefit, Fundraiser to help. Alamo Draft House, Littleton 2:00pm
June 18, 2016 - Clinic - VIDA MTB Bike Clinic, Castle Rock, for women
June 18, 2016 - Little Bellas All Girls Bike Camp, Castle Rock (Ages 8-13 girls only)  
June 22, 2016 - Ride Movement Colorado Bike to Work Day
August 26-28, 2016 - Camp Junior CX Camp, Golden, CO, Tri Velo Series  
September 1, 2016 - Fundraiser Ride for Reading Denver Delivery 2016, Denver
October 22, 2016 - Swap Velo Swap, Denver, annual bicycle equipment swap

Dates TBD in 2016 - Camp Junior Mtn Bike Camp, Tri Velo Series

RMRC Thump Coffee race club members riding along Lake Dillon in 2015 on their way to Loveland Pass to watch the USA Pro Challenge.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

POPULAR CYCLING EVENT CATEGORIES

WOMEN only Cycling Events and Bike Rides/Races in Colorado in 2016:

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:

March 31, 2016 - Bike Shop fun Heels on Wheels, Denver, women only night
April 21, 2016 - Bike Shop fun Heels on Wheels, Lakewood, women only night
June 19, 2016 - Betti Bike Bash, Castle Rock, MTB, women's clinic and race 
July 9, 2016 - Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5m, women's ride
July 17, 2016 - Rapha 100 Women's Ride, Boulder, 100km, women's only ride
August 27, 2016 - Venus de Miles, Boulder, 33/51/100mi, women's only ride

Colorado MULTI-DAY Event Tour Rides (2-day, 3-day, week-long tours) in 2016:

Why not vacation in Colorado in 2016? Completely relax knowing all you have to do is pedal ... for a week.

June 11-13, 2016 - Death Ride Tour, Silverton, 225mi, 3-days 
June 11-17, 2016 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, week-long tour
June 19-25, 2016 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado, week-long tour
June 25-26, 2016 - Rough Riders 200, Angle Fire, NM, 50/100/150/200mi, 2-days
June 25-26, 2016 - Bike MS Colorado, Fort Collins, 30-124mi options 1 or 2 days
July 9-10, 2016 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120M/240mi, 1 or 2 days
July 23-24, 2016 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties, 3-days
July 23-30, 2016 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado, week-long tour
July 31-August 6, 2016 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
August 9-14, 2016 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 35-50mi a day, 6-day stage race, MTB
September 16-18, 2016 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Eastern Plains, 3-days

The love of the bike as much as the destination. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Colorado Road CENTURY bike rides in 2016:

These century rides in Colorado promise you the option of near or greater than 100-miles on a road bike in a single day. For a list of Metric Centuries (62.137 miles), please see the complete list of events at the top of this page).

May 21, 2016 - Triple C - Bike Ride, Broomfield, 100mi
May 22, 2016 - Santa Fe Century, Santa Fe, New Mexico 103.9mi 
May 29, 2016 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Monument, 88/110mi
June 4, 2016 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista 97mi
June 5, 2016 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock, 100mi
June 11, 2016 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park, 106mi
June 18, 2016 - Pedal 4 Possible, Louisville, 100mi
June 18, 2016 - Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride, Denver, 100mi
June 25, 2016 - Sopris Century/Ride for the Child, Carbondale, 100mi 
June 25-26, 2016 - Rough Riders 200, Angle Fire, NM, 100/150/200mi, 2-days 
June 25-26, 2016 - Bike MS Colorado, Fort Collins, 30-124mi options 1 or 2 days
July 9-10, 2016 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120mi/240mi, 1 or 2 days
July 16, 2016 - Bike to Build (SLV Century), Alamosa San Luis Valley, 100mi
July 23, 2016 - Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 110mi
July 23, 2016 - SOS Outreach Colorado - Eagle River Ride, Beaver Creek, 100mi
July 30, 2016 - Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicke Charity Ride, Montrose, 115/155mi
July 30, 2016 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi (a challenge!)
July 30, 2016 - Circle the Summit (Bob Guthrie Memorial), Summit County, 100mi
August 6, 2016 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
August 13, 2016 - Red Rocks Century, Red Rocks (a hard one!), 100mi
August 13, 2016 - Prestige Imports Vuelta a Dillon Fondo, Dillon, 90mi
August 13, 2016 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 30/50/78/100mi 
August 20, 2016 - Tour de Cure Colorado, Longmont, 100mi
August 28, 2016 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 90mi
August 27, 2016 - Venus de Miles, Boulder, 100mi, women's ride
August 28, 2016 - Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County), 100mi
August 29, 2016 - Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 100mi
September 4, 2016 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, 134mi, paved and dirt
September 11, 2016 - Wacky Bike Ride, Highlands Ranch, 100mi  
September 11, 2016 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder, 100/110mi
September 24, 2016 - Mountains To The Desert Bike Ride, Telluride, 100/103/133/200mi
September 24, 2016 - Royal Gorge Century, Royal Gorge, Canon City, 100mi
September 24, 2016 - Tour de Cure Southern Colorado, Colorado Springs, 100mi
October 1, 2016 - Moab Century Tour, Moab, Utah, 100mi 

Colorado Gravel or Mountain Bike, 100K or 100-mile CENTURY bike rides in 2016:

These century rides in Colorado promise you the option of near or greater than 100-miles on a gravel bike or mountain bike in a single day.

February 7, 2016 - Old Man Winter Rally, Boulder, 50K/100K, gravel & paved & run
April 2, 2016 - AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, Monument, 50/160mi, gravel
April 30, 2016 - Encierro Ride (gravel), Monument, 50/100K
May 7, 2016 - Dessert Rats Mtn Bike Classic, Kokopelli Trail CO-UT, 50/100K, MTB
May 28-29, 2016 - The Original Growler, Gunnison, 32/64mi, MTB
June 12, 2016 - Eddy Rando - Parker, 20/40mi fast/slow, steel bikes & party 8:00am Map
June 18, 2016 - Bailey Hundo Bailey, 102.47mi, MTB
July 16, 2016 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge 100mi, MTB
August 13, 2016 - Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi, MTB
September 4, 2016 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB, 134mi, paved and dirt
September 10-11, 2016 - Vapor Trail 125, Salida 125mi, midnight MTB, 1 night

For an extensive list of Colorado mountain races and rides, please transfer to:  Colorado and National Bike Race Calendar List 2016

Olivia cycling. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Colorado Triple Crown LONG DISTANCE rides in 2016:

RMCC 2016 Challenge Series / Colorado Triple Crown Series ultra distance cycling events, now number six, 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.

 Colorado Triple Crown Series

1. June 11, 2016 - Colorado High Country Double Century, Boulder, 207mi, 12,000ft 
2. June 25, 2016 - Cycle to Saturn, Golden, 201mi, 20,000ft, Double Century 
3. July 9, 2016 - Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft
4. July 30, 2016 - Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl, 207mi, 19,000ft, Double Century
5. August 20, 2016 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden, 200mi, 15,000ft

Challenge Series Short-Course Events

1. April 30, 2016 - Foothills Climbfest, Ken Caryl, 81mi, 8,000ft
2. May 28, 2016 - Boulder Fearsome Five, Boulder, 100mi, 15,000+ft

Cycling Lifestyle. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Randonneurring - EXTREME LONG DISTANCE cycling events in Colorado in 2016

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 2017) 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. To seach the list of randonneur rides in the United States, please search by state at: Rondonneur Events.

• Brevet Schedule 2016 -  17 Randonneur events in Colorado, Brevet and Populaires (RMCC) 

Cruising.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Colorado CRUISER rides in 2016

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 2016, typically near downtown Denver.
Longmont Bike Night - every Wednesday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2016, near downtown Longmont.
Pueblo Cruiser Bike Rides - every Friday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2016, near downtown Pueblo.
Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride, Boulder - every Thursday night, late spring to early fall, May to September 2016, near downtown Boulder.

Weekly Club Rides on Meetup

Rocky Mountain Cycling Club: intermediate to advanced; road, gravel, cruiser.

See more bike ride meetup groups in Colorado

Local Boulder resident Taylor Phinney surprised us all with a fantastic fast win into Steamboat Springs on Stage 1 of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Major PROFESSIONAL CYCLING RACE Events in Colorado for 2016:

USA PRO CHALLENGE 2016 is cancelled

The American Tour PRO RACE in Colorado is NOT returning for the summer of 2016. Race organizers have stated they needed more time to restructure the race and confirm new long-term race sponsorship. I had covered the race for five years at Pedal Dancer®: USA PRO CHALLENGE. It will be missed.

If you enjoy cheering on professional racers, mark your calendar for the USA cycling Pro Road Tour local race August 6, 2016 - Littleton Twilight Criterium Littleton, CO, Criterium, Men's / Women's.

South side of Loveland Pass. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

SUMMIT COUNTY cycling

If you ride in Summit County Colorado (Frisco, Dillon, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain) you will be interested in reading my recommended rides featured on Ride with GPS.

Pedal Dancer® Rides Summit County Colorado

• 25.6 miles: Vail Pass from Frisco through Copper Mountain
• 30.8 miles: Loveland Pass from Dillon Marina through Keystone
• 36.9 miles: Montezuma from Frisco over Swan Mountain and back
• 40.7 miles: Breckenridge around Lake Dillon to Keystone loop
• 66.5 miles: Summit County East to West - Loveland Pass to Vail Pass
• 79.1 miles: Copper Triangle - Traditional Route (Vail Pass last)

Colorado CLIMBS - a list of cycling climbs in Colorado!

Please also see my magnificent online guide:
Pedal Dancer® Guide Page (description, ride reports, facts and maps): COLORADO CLIMBS

Map of 27 Pedal Dancer® recommended bike climbs in Colorado featured on this interactive map link.

Map of popular cycling climbs in Colorado by Pedal Dancer

Good luck in your quest to go higher, farther and faster (or simply to stop and smell the roses along the route) in 2016

If you would like to add your event to this page, please contact me.  Have a great year of cycling!
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~Lao Tzu

2017 EVENT CALENDAR: Cycling Events and Bike Rides in Colorado 2017


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

So you want to tour Colorado on a bicycle?

The best week-long or multi-day bike tours of Colorado

In an effort to provide residents and visitors to Colorado with a summary of the best options to tour Colorado this summer, I have compiled a fine list of organized event rides, professional bike tour companies, USA Pro Challenge tours, and Do-it-yourself planning tips to encourage you to get out and cycle the great variety of cycling routes we have to offer here in Colorado.

Quintessential Colorado cycling - the view down Independence Pass (west side). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.

I have collected the best ways that I know to tour Colorado on a bike:


ORGANIZED EVENT RIDES

If you like having set dates on the calendar to aim for to be in top form and you like the atmosphere of thousands of people in colorful lycra populating the best climbs and roads in Colorado - you will enjoy these cycling events listed below. They also happen to pass through some of the most welcoming cities in the state where you are sure to see a few cowboy hats and find a craft beer or BBQ. These challenging tours are guaranteed fun to register with a pack of old friends or to meet new friends along the way. But word of advice - you need to like people to go on these huge bike tours. Come prepared - in body and gear - for an entire week of riding outside in Colorado and you will have a successful vacation.

Three to seven day cycling tours of Colorado (in date order):

June 6-8, 2015 - Death Ride Tour, Silverton, 225mi (3-days)
This tour begins in Silverton, rides to Telluride on Day 1, to Durango on Day 2, and back to Silverton on Day 3. Description: Fantastic scenery, tough long climbs, mixture of some group meals, you must arrange your own hotels, mandatory fundraising for ALS is required. ROUTE, Registration cost: $125 + Fundraising minimum $250

June 13-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies (week-long tour)
The biggest name in Colorado week-long tours. RTR is a full week of perfect routes, post-ride entertainment, tons of services and thousands of participants. This year's route starts in Grand Junction and travels to Hotchkiss - Gunnison - Crested Butte - Sailda - Canon City - Westcliff. The route includes the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and Cottonwood Pass. This is NOT a loop route, so allow more travel time. The event is so popular there is a yearly lottery for registration. When I did the event, we arranged hotels and I have to say the costs added up! ROUTE, Registration cost: $495.

June 21-27, 2015 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado (week-long tour)
If you are an experienced hard-core rider - you will be more at-home on this ride (or if you like to start your rides at 6AM!). The top 8% of Ride the Rockies riders will find themselves in the mid 50% of this ride. At least that was my experience after riding both events. This year's route is a beauty: starting AND ending in Breckenridge, you will ride from Breck - Leadville - Carbondale - Hotchkiss - Crested Butte - Salida - Breck. You will climb Fremont Pass, Independence Pass, McClure Pass, Kebler Pass, Cottonwood Pass, and Hoosier Pass. This list is creme of the crop. I enjoyed the full camping services offered: set-up and tear-down of tents and hot coffee in the morning! ROUTE, Registration cost: $450-495.

July 18-20, 2015 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties (3-days)
Now this is a great cause! The event benefits the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation. If you prefer to stay in the same location and cycle out is various directions - you will like this ride. Based in the scenic Copper Mountain Village, this ride has a mandatory fundraising obligation. Meals are included in your registration and camping is available. July is the perfect time to ride in Summit County - one of my favorite areas of Colorado. ROUTE,  Registration cost: $95-120, + Fundraising minimum of $300.

July 18-25, 2015 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado (week-long tour)
They call themselves The Best of the West, and if you live in the southwest corner of Colorado, or in California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas, this event ride is more accessible to you (and you will likely be more used to the hot weather of July). This event offers ride options: single-day, multi-day or full-week. The week-long route begins in Telluride - Montrose - Crested Butte - Buena Vista - Aspen - Hotchkiss - Palisade. This is NOT a loop ride. ROUTE,  Registration cost: $650.

July 24-26, 2015 - Hop, Rock and Roll, bike and music, Northern Front Range  (3-days)
This is something totally new: I am not sure which takes priority on this event ride - the beer, the music or the bikes, but you get all three in an event packed 3-days in the hills outside of Fort Collins, CO. You will ride 35-miles per day and stop at local breweries along the way, followed by food truck nourishment and evening live music. You will camp at Parrish Ranch on Friday and Saturday night, with bag transport included.  ROUTE, Registration cost: $99-150.

August 2-8, 2015 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, (week-long tour)
This is a road bike tour, not a mountain bike tour, and it is a LOOP route. The event takes place in central Colorado in August - the ideal month for high-country cycling. You will start and end in Gunnison, riding to Salida - Frisco - Leadville - Glenwood Springs - Hotchkiss - Gunnison. Hotels, camping and catered meals are an option. This is the perfect ride for those wanting to use that terrific form they have worked all summer to attain. ROUTE, Registration cost: $470.

August 9-14, 2015 - Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 6-day 7-stage race, 35-50mi a day (MTB) 
This is a race. Not for the meek, but if you love mountain biking you will love this week of riding around the hills of Breckenridge, Colorado. Again you will get to stay in one place and ride your heart out (it's all at altitude) every day. By the end of the week, you will have ridden (raced) the best mountain bike climbs near Breck. ROUTE, Registration cost: $799.

September 7-10, 2015 - 4-H Clover Ride, Fort Collins (4-days) 222 miles total
As a fundraiser for the 4-H Foundation, this is a ride where you ride out and back from the same location daily but experience different local rides near Fort Collins. Expect to ride 222 miles and climb 10,000 feet in four days of riding, returning to the comfort of the same hotel room nightly. This event selects a post-ride brewery every day plus organized groups meals out at local restaurants every night. This is the closest thing you will find to combining a professional guided tour with an organized cycling event ride. ROUTE, Registration cost: $700-800 ($300 donation to 4-H included in registration).

September 18-20, 2015 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Eastern Plains, (3-days)
I would describe this ride as a collection of friendly people riding their bikes out on the plains (translate that to mean continuous pedaling over rolling hills). Scheduled in the fall, this ride is prime for those wanting to get in those last miles before snowfall. Organized by the same hard-working folks who plan Ride the Rockies (with an easier to operate website this time), they know what riders need on an event ride. They also offer a family-fun ride, a century ride, or the 3-day tour. ROUTE, Registration cost: $280-295.

The kind of scenery we got to ride through daily on Ride the Rockies event ride. Photo not by me because that is me on the right.

PROFESSIONAL BIKE TOUR COMPANY

If you do not have the time to plan out all the details of route finding, hotel, sag and services - consider joining a professional cycling tour company. They have put in months to years of time into planning the details of one single route. They also receive feedback from clients to continuously improve their services. You are the recipient of all this knowledge. For a price. Sure it costs more, but if you need to condense your vacation time for biggest bang for buck and reduce your time away from family or job - these guided tours are perfect for hard working, hard playing cyclists. They are also ideal for those who enjoy riding in smalls groups of 12-30 cyclists.

Colorado Bike Tour Companies (in alphabetical order)

Road Bike:

Adventure Cycling Association
This national and international company runs fairly priced tours that book up fast to popular areas. Tours start from various cities around Colorado, compare tours to see your options.

At-your-Pace
Offering self-guides, multi-sport, day trips, custom trips, and brews and cruise tours, this is the company for families or persons wanting to make cycling part of their vacation to Colorado (because there is more to Colorado than just cycling).

Heart Cycle
Very established, very popular, very reasonably priced tours which basically cover your costs and the costs of the guides and support people. Based in Colorado, but volunteers guide tours locally, nationwide and world-wide.

* The Tour Companies listed in the next section (below) also guide general bike tours in Colorado: Lizard Head Cycling, Finish Line Cycling, Colorado and Wilderness Rides and Guides.

Mountain Bike:

Front Range Ride Guide
Guiding mountain bike rides in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins and along the front Range of Colorado.  Locally owned and operated.

Hermosa Tours
Offering self-guided tours, Kokopelli Trail and Colorado Trail tours. Based in Durango, CO and Sedona, AZ ,this premium mountain bike tour company has been operating tours throughout western USA since 2007. They have a great informative website.

Womens Quest
These women get to have a good time mountain biking, running, hiking, doing yoga and reconnecting to nature, nutrition, body, mind and spirit. Owned and operated by a local woman named Colleen Cannon who recruits a group of inspiring women guides.

For a larger list of tour companies said to be operating in Colorado, please visit: Page 97 of Bicycle Paper. I just recently discovered this resource. 

Expect this many people to be at the summit of every pass you climb in Colorado to cheer you over the top. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer. (Actually they are waiting for the pros to arrive at the top of Independence Pass in 2011 but if you need to imagine this scene to get you to the top, please do).

FOLLOW THE PRO TOUR

Why not let others plan your route for you. The organizers of the USA Pro Challenge, study, discuss, and plan the best routes to bring a squadron of pro riders and team cars from town to town every August in Colorado. Follow their lead on where to ride. You might not always want to take the big highway options, and you probably won't want to exceed 80-100 miles a day on a bike (the pros sometimes ride 120 miles or more), but looking over their carefully chosen routes (which change yearly) provides an excellent window into options for outstanding local cycling. There is nothing the pros can do that you cannot, you might just do it a little slower, over a revised route.

I have learned a lot about cycling in France, Belgium and California by watching where the pros ride. By combining your own rides with a half a day of viewing the race is highly recommended. I have learned by chasing the Tour de France that three days of race viewing combined with a rest day and 3-4 good hard days of riding, per week, is just perfect (you'll need the rest day from chasing the race, not from riding hard). Watching a race cover ground you know well because you have ridden the route yourself, is thrilling.

If you have a plenitude of cash and ride a bike quite well, you can join a guided tour that follows this race:

Tour Companies that will guide you to the 2015 USA Pro Challenge (in order of cost)

Finish Line Cycling - August 17-24, 2015 (4 or 8 day packages)
Meeting point is in Denver; you will ride 30-50 miles a day with options for longer rides. Small group size; during the 8-day tour you will see all stage of the pro race. Exact details not yet published. TOUR DETAILS, Cost: *approximately $1400-3000 per person.

Lizard Head Cycling Guide - August 16-22, 2015 (7-days, 7-nights)
Meeting point is in Denver; you will ride 150-550 miles, ranging from 25-123 miles a day. Recommended for Intermediate to Advanced cyclists knowledgeable of long mountain descents and climbs. This is a fully supported tour offering different mileage options for intermediate riders. TOUR DETAILS, Cost: $3,095 per person (double occupancy).

Cognoscenti - August 21-26, 2015 (6 days)
You won't see the whole race (just Stage 6 & Stage 7), but you will hobnob with local celebs and enjoy five-star treatment based out of Boulder, CO. Cognoscenti has formed to show us how to treat guests the Italian way: food, wine, pro guides, pro photographers and the best hotels. TOUR DETAILS, Cost: $5940

Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides - August 20-29 (7-day trip)
Guided by professional bike coaches, this is to be a four star treatment of riding the best segments and watching the race live. 20-guests only (7 spots remaining). TOUR DETAILS, Cost: $7500.

Train Right - USA Pro Challenge Experience - August 17-23 (7-days)
This is the sponsored tour of the USA Pro Challenge ,guided by Chris Carmichael and his troop of coaches, mechanics and support personnel. A 5-star tour/challenge of cycling, you will ride your hardest and then find yourself inside the VIP tents to watch the pros. Making your way post race to the comfiest hotel rooms in town and diner with the pro riders that night. You will ride the entire length of every stage of the tour before the pro riders. You may even attend a training camp in Colorado for $2799 the month before, to make sure you are in top shape. TOUR DETAILS, Cost: $10,750 per person.

I have no direct experience with any of these tour companies listed above, although I have a friend who rode the route of the Amgen Tour of California with the Carmichael group and his experience catapulted him to ride many more difficult tours world-wide.

You too could ride your bike through this mass of fun before the race on race day after paying $10,750. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer at the USA Pro Challenge on Independence Pass 2013, or 2012, I've lost track by now.

D-I-Y BIKE TOURING

For those of us (and I am in this camp) who enjoy planning a ride as much as doing the ride (and talking about the ride after the ride) - you will want the joy (read: control) of researching the resources and planning the route yourself. Destination rides, exploring a new area or chasing a cycling event often spark my interest to plan a cycling vacation or get-away. Here is my tip: google madly for information written on the websites of organized event or tour companies; use their knowledge of routes, distances, and tourist resources to plan your own trips.

I also search for local blogs or local bike clubs, as well as city websites that might list local rides. Bike shops are another great resource. Ride with GPS, Map my Ride or STRAVA can help you narrow down the best local rides, while instantly providing you with a map. Ride with GPS has a new Ambassador program where a local cyclists recommends 4-6 routes in a given area. This is a PERFECT for planning your cycling vacation. All you need on top of that is a good hotel or campsite, the best coffee shop and beer place, where the local bike shop is located and where to find a yummy meal. Chances are the Ride with GPS Ambassador will have all that listed for you.

Planning my own routes and daily agenda gives me the freedom to go when I want, where I want, with whom I want.

Most days riding in Colorado, you will have the entire road and mountain to yourself (and maybe a dozen other cyclists).

Peering down a juicy descent. Just me and the mountain. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.

Where to road bike ride in Colorado

You will notice the same city names being mentioned throughout all of these tours. That is because the best cycling in Colorado centers around these same towns, making them the locations where you should concentrate your cycling vacation: Gunnison, Crested Butte, Buena Vista, Salida, Breckenridge, Frisco, Copper Mountain, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Hotchkiss, Palisade, Delta, Telluride, Durango, Silverton, Golden, Loveland, and Fort Collins. I would add Boulder to the list - a lovely place for a bike ride but a nightmare for road permits for any event ride or race.

At the bottom of this page I give some suggestions for Putting It All Together: how to combine one location with various local climbs.

I created this map below to indicate where some of the most popular climbs are located in Colorado.  However never underestimate the joy of a more horizontal pedal along a river or through a grand glacial valley.

A map of my favorite climbs in Colorado: Map of 26 recommended bike climbs in Colorado: interactive map link

Additional resources by Pedal Dancer® to help you plan your Colorado cycling vacation:

• SUMMIT COUNTY CYCLING
• COLORADO CLIMBS
• COLORADO CYCLING
• Cycling Climbs of Colorado - a Fine List
• Recommended Road Bike Rides Near Vail, Colorado 
• Recommended Road Bike Rides Near Aspen
• Exact route maps of USA Pro Challenge 2015 Announced Summer in Colorado!
• Route of 2015 Bicycle Tour of Colorado (BTC) announced in January.  
• I am a Ride with GPS Ambassador to Summit County, Colorado

Links to more cycling event rides and races in Colorado can be found on this Pedal Dancer® Guide Page:

• CALENDAR OF RACES AND EVENTS

I hope this post provides you with more options for your cycling vacation to Colorado.