Stage 1
- Sunday, June 11
- Fort Collins to Estes Park: 47 Miles
- Elevation Gain: +4,673′
The ride heads southwest into the mountains to Big Thompson Canyon (US-34). Big Thompson is an iconic and scenic ride with big canyon walls that follow the Big Thompson River. The route up Big Thompson has an average 2.6% grade. Riders will leave the canyon at Drake and follow CO 43 until the road crests at the overlook into Estes Park at the Glenhaven community. 7 miles downhill into Estes Park and the warm welcome that only Estes Park can provide.
Stage 2
- Monday, June 12
- Estes Park to Allenspark: 32 Mile loop
- Elevation Gain: +2,965′
Day 2 is a fun out and back ride from Estes Park to Allenspark. Riders will see 3,000’ of climbing that hosts 2-4% grades. When riders arrive in Allenspark, Ride the Rockies will host a lunch in Allenspark. Food and drink then the four-mile climb back to Estes with an optional 10 mile loop north of the venue.
Stage 3
- Tuesday, June 13
- Estes Park to Grand Lake: 50 Miles
- Elevation Gain: +5,294′
Probably the reason you joined us this year! Day 3 – TRAIL RIDGE ROAD
Arguably the top of every Colorado cyclist must do list. Trail Ridge Road is a 6,600’ ride that peaks at 12,166’ elevation. The 22 mile climb to the summit averages just under 4% grade. The spectacular views will leave you breathless and speechless. Then it’s a long descent into beautiful Grand Lake that sits on the north shore of Grand and Shadow Mountain Lakes.
Stage 4
- Wednesday, June 14
- Grand Lake to Winter Park: 43 Miles
- Elevation Gain: +4,673′
Day 4 riders roll out to Winter Park Colorado, Mountain Biking Capitol USA! Don’t you wish your mountain bike was with you!
This ride has some gradual climbs that should leave your legs fresh for taking advantage of the sights and restaurants in Winter Park. Or maybe rent a mountain bike and downhill on the WP trails!
Stage 5
- Thursday, June 15
- Winter Park to Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Central City): 40 miles
- Elevation Gain: +4,000′
Day 5, Another big climb day with nearly 5,000’ in the 40 miles to Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Central City)! This ride will summit the famous Berthoud Pass 2,300’ climb up from Winter Park that averages just under 4% grade for 11 miles. The scenic descent will take riders on the I-70 bike path to Idaho Springs then a short 3.5 mile “climb” (average 8+% grade!!) up to Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Central City).
Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Central City) was a mining town before reinventing itself into a tourist destination that hosts some of the state’s casinos and more of that mountain biking, we all love!
Stage 6
- Friday, June 16
- Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Central City) to Ft. Collins – 91 miles
- Elevation Gain: +5,285′
Although it seems daunting, this 91 mile ride back to the host venue in Ft. Collins has a good deal of climbing (6,000’) in the first 35 miles, then… pretty much all downhill from there. Following Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, the Peak to Peak highway was established in 1918 and is worth the ride! At roughly mile 35 of the route, cyclists will drop down the freshly paved St. Vrain canyon to the town of Lyons where riders can stop in and refill before making the last 35 miles into Ft. Collins and the celebration of the 350 mile 31,600’ 2023 Ride the Rockies
