Ride the Rockies bike challenge goes through Lyons this year
This year, June 11-16, 2023, the exciting Ride the Rockies fun bike challenge will stop in Lyons.
===IN LYONS==DAY 6, June 16th
Lyons – Bohn Park Aid Station #3
Oskar Blues Beer Garden
Hurry 4 Curry Food Truck
FED Food Truck
UPDATE 6/15/23 — due to a massive rock slide on Hwy 7 between Lyons and Allenspark, the race will go from Nederland to Ward to Lyons, and then to Ft. Collins (and skip Allenspark and Hwy 7) on FRIDAY 6/16/23. MAP
Ride the Rockies one of the oldest multi-day bicycle rides in the world. The ride is 100% recreational. While the organizers plan some new climbing challenges on iconic Rocky Mountain passes this year, RTR is not a race. Originally inspired by the largest and oldest, RAGBRAI in Iowa, Ride the Rockies has been operating since 1986 and is in its 36th year and features nearly 2500 riders riding through the Rocky mountains – each year on a different route.
In the past, the route has gone to towns like Alamosa, Durango, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction. The 2022 route went from Golden to Glenwood Springs, and down to Salida, and back up to Breckenridge. And, yes, included Copper Mtn., and Independence Pass. That’s 436 miles, with 27,399 vertical feet. === This year, 308 miles with approximately 26,890 ft. elevation gain!
Ride the Rockies was acquired in late 2021 from the Denver Post Foundation, by Ventures Endurance. Ventures Endurance operates more than 150 endurance sports events across North America, including RAGBRAI in Iowa. There have been many complaints this year, online, about the disorganization of the event. It is their first year to run it.
All roads are open to vehicle traffic throughout the ride. However, the Colorado State Patrol is aware of the race and provides guidance. Remember, it’s a state law that your moving vehicle must be at least 3 feet from the riding bicyclist. (When passing a bicyclist, you are required to allow at least 3 ft of space between the widest point of your vehicle and the widest point of the bicyclist, even when they are in a bike lane. You may cross a double yellow center line when oncoming traffic is clear to pass a bicyclist safely.) The ride is rain, snow or shine
The 2023 headquarters are in Ft. Collins, where it has been arranged for riders to find lodging or camping, and long-term parking for their vehicles. It has a bike set up area, a massage area, an expo, and a meeting place: Sweetwater Brewing Company. Your registration includes: An outdoor camping space, access to showers, transportation of one bag from HQ to HQ for the entire week (70lb limit), Shuttle services as needed, Aid stations with hydration and basic nutrition, access to bike mechanics as needed, access to sag vehicles as needed, medical support and one free commemorative jersey for weeklong registrants.
This year the refreshment stations and “tourist info” are for Allenspark, Ft. Collins, Grand Lake, Winter Park, Estes Park, Lyons, and Gilpin County (Black Hawk and Georgetown). The Prologue (or warm up ride) takes them from Ft. Collins to Hwy 287, and the small town of Bellview, climbing up to Horsetooth Reservoir, and then back to Ft. Collins.
===LYONS part of the Route, Stage 6
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 ft. 2023 Ride the Rockies
FOR A MAP and description of each STAGE, CLICK HERE