On Saturday, June 16th 2007, I fly to Denver in preparation for my FIRST big bike tour of the summer: the Ride the Rockies.
The Denver Post has sponsored the ride every year since 1986 and this year will be their 21st.
Daily rides can be as short as 35 miles or as long as 100 miles, but generally average 60-65 miles. It is such a popular ride that they have a lottery for participants and limit the number to 2,000. Last year they had 4,000 applicants. I was lucky enough to secure a spot!
This year the ride is 455 miles long, starting and ending in Frisco, Colorado. The ride goes over some major mountain passes and takes a week! We camp in the host towns, usually at the local school so we have access to showers. There we rest up, eat a great meal, meet new friends, and get ready for the next day's ride.
Then, on June 23rd, I get ready for my SECOND big bike tour of the summer: the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. My brother will meet me on that Sunday, and we start riding around CO again! (We did this tour, the BTC, last summer together.)
Day 1 - 57 Miles-We will ride from Steamboat Springs, up and over Rabbit Ears Pass (9,426’ summit, Grade 6.8%) and finish in the town of Walden.
Day 2 - 75 Miles- Out of Walden and a climb up Willow Creek Pass (9,621’ summit, Grade 6.3%) through Granby, past Snow Mountain Ranch, and into Winter Park.
Day 3 - 75 Miles- Climb out of Winter Park to the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass (11,315’ summit, Grade 6%). Cruise down through Empire and then climb back over the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass (11,992’ summit, Grade 6%). Coast down to Lake Dillon and follow the bike path up to Copper Mountain.
Day 4- ???? Miles- Ride the chairlift up Copper Mountain. Rent a mountain bike. Explore Summit County. Wash your bike. Take some photos. Meet new friends. Enjoy the mountains!
Day 5 - 56 Miles- Climb out of bed and climb up Vail Pass (10,666’ summit, Grade 7%). Down through the towns of Vail and Minturn. Then climb Battle Mountain and Tennessee Pass (10,424’ summit, Grade 6%) to finish in the historic mining town of Leadville. If you get to Leadville and feel the need for more miles, cruise around Turquoise Lake for 15 bonus miles. Camp with spectacular views of Mount Massive and Mount Elbert, Colorado's two highest peaks.
Day 6 - 70 Miles- Out of Leadville climb Fremont Pass (11,318’ summit, Grade 5.7%). Coast into Summit County, then follow the Blue River for a few miles and end up in Kremmling.
Day 7 - 70 Miles- Out of Kremmling we take the scenic route over Gore Pass (9,527’ summit, Grade 6.3%) and back to Steamboat Springs.
As you can see, the next two weeks are gonna be amazing...here's just one picture from Last Year's BTC...I can't wait to see what we come up with this year!
Yeah, and to think some people continue to ask, "Jason, don't you ever do nothing?"
I get the idea behind their question, but "doing nothing" is about the lowest priority thing I could do.
Take a look at the next week or so, if you REALLY had time to "do nothing," what would you do?
Posted by: Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA | June 15, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Two weeks at altitude, riding with friends (old and new) every day, recovering in the shade in the afternoons, eating whatever you want and sleeping in a tent....what could be better. Have a great trip.
Posted by: Arnold Ambiel | June 15, 2007 at 07:32 AM