Host Communities
Gunnison – Elevation 7,700 ft.
Gunnison welcomes you to the heart of southwest Colorado! Away from the interstate highway buzz, the Old West flavor of Gunnison remains to this day. A college and ranching town, the community embraces the arts and recreation as much as it does intellectual pursuits and the beauty found in a large herd of cattle grazing in the high mountain grass. Home to Colorado’s oldest rodeo, Cattlemen’s Days brings it right to the top for nine full days to celebrate the real West. There’s also Blue Mesa, Colorado’s largest body of water and icon feature of Curecanti National Recreation Area; the 5-acre Pioneer Museum with its collection of 72 antique and classic cars; and the Gunnison Valley Observatory. In addition to the 8,000 acres of trails at Hartman Rocks recreation you will find 3,900 miles of fishable streams and wildlife that include moose, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope, not to mention elk and deer. There are 42 miles of rafting waters and too many hiking and biking trails to mention. In town you will find an Aquatic Center, Jorgenson Event Center anchored by an indoor ice rink, the Gunnison Arts Center and Visitor Center. Numerous restaurants and lodging of all types will round out your stay in this beautiful mountain town!
*Hotel shuttles will run to Crested Butte.
Hotchkiss – Elevation 5,331 ft.
Hotchkiss, a community of about 1,000 residents, was settled in the early 1880’s, and quickly became a supply center for the ranching and fruit growing operations that established themselves and soon flourished in the North Fork Valley of Western Colorado.
Hotchkiss is ideally situated as a jumping off point for those wishing to explore both the natural and cultural beauty of the area. Just over 20 miles to the south, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park intrigues visitors with its sheer drops and spectacular views. The West Elk Mountains to the east offer many recreational opportunities, as well as a stunning visual backdrop to everyday life in the North Fork Valley. The Grand Mesa, a short distance to the northwest, and the largest flat topped mountain in the world, is a regular destination of fishermen and lovers of outdoor recreation.
Culturally, Hotchkiss and the North Fork Valley offer something unique. For several decades, our valley has been something of a beacon to cultural creatives – artists, writers, intellectuals, farmers and others wishing to create a life of meaning in a place of beauty – and as a result, our population is a healthy mix of old-western tradition and values, and a new, progressive pioneer spirit. Hotchkiss sits at the heart of a valley well-known for its organic gardens and orchards. Our farmers, orchardists and ranchers do their part to feed Coloradans who have discovered the superiority of the foods produced in this area. In addition the valley is home to over a dozen wineries, offering some of the finest wines produced anywhere.
Hotchkiss and the North Fork Valley welcome Ride the Rockies to our favorite part of Colorado!
HotchkissChamber.com
NorthForkValley.net
*Hotel shuttles will run to Delta, Paonia, Montrose and Cedar Ridge.
*Private home stays available; call (970)872-4780 or email homestay12@gmail.com.
Carbondale – Elevation 6,181 ft.
The picturesque town of Carbondale is located 170 miles west of Denver, 12 miles from Glenwood Springs, and 30 miles from Aspen in the heart of Colorado’s central Rocky Mountains. At an altitude of 6,181 feet, and resting in the magnificent shadow of 12,953-foot Mount Sopris, Carbondale is characterized by an average of 295 days of sunshine, low humidity, cold but mild winters and comfortable summers.
Carbondale is a great base camp for recreation enthusiasts. There is plenty to do including hiking, biking, golfing, kayaking, and world-class fly fishing. In winter, experience excellent cross-country skiing. For a full list of activities and recreation offerings, visit www.carbondale.com. Carbondale was recently recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Carbondale has many multiuse paths connecting key areas within the community and is also connected to a 45 mile path that runs from Aspen down valley to Glenwood Springs. The town hosts a number of bike related events ranging from an all-day Criterium bike race, which closes off Main Street and surrounding neighborhoods to a “Dandelion Days” parade. National Bike to Work Week consists of events including safety clinics for kids, a Bike-In movie, a Digital scavenger hunt via bicycle, bike polo instruction and tournament, costumed pedal parade, raffle giveaways of Townie bikes, and commuter breakfasts. Monthly Full-Moon cruiser rides happen year round. The city offers bike maintenance classes through local bike shops and a community college. A local independent school offers road and mountain biking classes in the fall and spring, and fields a competitive mountain biking team that participates in the new Colorado high school mountain biking league.
The Carbondale area offers a variety of comfortable lodging options, great casual and exquisite fine dining, creative arts and entertainment, and intriguing historical areas. There’s something for everyone in Carbondale!
*Hotel shuttles will run to Glenwood Springs.
Leadville – Elevation 10,152 ft.
Encircled by the highest peaks of the Colorado Rockies, Leadville, a charming and beautiful Victorian town, is the county seat for Lake County. Leadville is a unique blend of the past and the present; people from all walks of life can find enjoyment while visiting our amazing community.
Imagine the rich history of America’s bawdiest mining boomtown with colorful characters such as Baby Doe, Horace Tabor and Doc Holliday. Picture endless outdoor recreation – fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and much more are offered to our guests. Throw in fun and funky events like ski joring, dog sledding races, Boom Days, museums and historical tours, specialty shops and antique stores, the Leadville Trail 100 events, National Historic Districts, parades and more.
The neighboring community of Twin Lakes in Lake County, located 15 minutes from Leadville at the eastern entrance to Independence Pass, is also a National Historic District and a popular summer destination for camping, boating, hiking and fishing.
Winter visitors enjoy miles and miles of scenic trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Take a moment to explore Lake County and discover the beauty, the traditions and the people that make Leadville and Twin Lakes in Lake County, Colorado, a wonderful area in which to live, work, raise your family and retire. We welcome your stay in our community and look forward to providing you a memorable experience during your scenic Ride The Rockies journey.
*Hotel shuttles will run to Copper Mountain.
Granby – Elevation 7,935 ft.
Nestled in a scenic Colorado Rocky Mountain valley, with breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and Rocky Mountain National Park surrounding you, it is easy to see why we say that Granby, Colorado is the Heart of Something Grand. Granby is the perfect place to vacation or live.
Located between Grand Lake and Winter Park, Granby offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy everything that you would expect from the Colorado Rocky Mountain experience – all with a friendly, small town atmosphere that won’t bust your budget.
Granby is a destination for all seasons. In the summer, hiking, mountain biking and boating, rafting, horseback riding, and hunting, as well as gold medal river water and trophy lake fishing are just steps from your door. The fun doesn’t stop there. With the onset of the Colorado Rocky Mountain winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing…all in close proximity to Granby.
*Hotel shuttles will run to Winter Park.
Estes Park – Elevation 8,512 ft.
There’s a congenial, hometown feel about Estes Park, a year-round community where summer alpine views are complemented by tree-lined streets, mountain gardens, grassy picnic parks, aspen groves and beds of more than 40,000 flowers.
Through the center of the village is the Riverwalk, a paved walkway skirting the banks of the two major rivers that flow through town. Winding past galleries, shops and restaurants, the Riverwalk is anchored in the center by Riverside Plaza, an open relaxation park where the Big Thompson and Fall Rivers converge. The Riverwalk is the walk-only segment of about eight miles of improved hike and bike trails in the area where paths traverse the valley floor past a bird sanctuary, golf courses and circle Lake Estes.
At 7,522 feet above sea level, Estes Park is surrounded by nationally protected lands and by mountain peaks ranging in elevation from 8,500 feet to over 14,000 feet. The village is known for its next-door neighbor, Rocky Mountain National Park and for unparalleled outdoor activities: biking, mountain walks, hikes to awe-inspiring splendor, fly fishing, horseback riding, nationally acclaimed mountain climbing and more.
Estes Park is home to more than 200 shops, galleries and restaurants and cozy cabins and cottages along with elegant rooms and suites. The village is known for its diverse and interesting shopping where there are no “big box” stores. With its scenic Riverwalk and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, sculptures and free summer entertainment, the town entices visitors to linger.
Ft. Collins – Elevation 4,984 ft.
Fort Collins is a city nestled in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado. It is home to Colorado State University and has been dubbed the “Choice City” for the number of “best of” lists it tops. It offers a thriving and diverse arts scene (Fort Collins received the 2011 Governor’s Arts Award), eclectic shops and restaurants, hundreds of miles of walking and biking paths, a colorful past filled with inspiring characters and access to a seemingly endless list of outdoor pursuits – whitewater rafting, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, biking, running, swimming to name a few. Downtown Fort Collins is the ideal destination for exploring fine and folk art, award winning craft brews, independent restaurants and distinctive shops, festivals and live performances and a lively urban environment.
Fort Collins’ vibrant atmosphere and proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes it a must see destination for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. It’s no wonder this Gold Level Cycling Community attracts attention from all over the globe.
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