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01 January 2014

2014 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides

Schedule of Bike Rides and Cycling Events in Colorado for 2014


2015 update: 2015 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides (new calendar list for 2015)

2015 Colorado Bike Event Rides Calendar & Bike Race Calendar


2014
The sport of cycling continues to grow in the state of Colorado and once again we look to the year ahead to plan our next great challenge. Colorado is a spectacular state to get out and pedal on two wheels, no matter the speed at which you do it, participating in an event can be tons of fun. So join-in in 2014, sign-up for a bike race or event near you, or better yet - travel to a bike event in 2014. Nothing is better than loading up the bikes in the car and riding across new terrain with new scenery.

Take on Colorado from the saddle in 2014. Here is the updated calendar list of events and races for the new year including: century rides, cycling events, two-day bike tours, week-long bike tours, charity bike events, and citizen hill climbs in Colorado.

Get out and ride!
Cyclists riding Vail Pass in 2013. click to enlarge Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®
List of cycling EVENTS and bike TOURS and dates in Colorado for the 2014 season:

February 10, 2014 - Colorado Bicyle Summit, Denver (Advocacy)
March 13, 2014 - Pedaling for St.Pat's 50K, Colorado Springs
April 17, 2014 - Trips for Kids Friendraiser, Denver
April 19-20, 2014 - MOG Sale, Bike Equipment Swap and Film Festival, Grand Junction
April 24-27, 2014 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival/18 HR of Fruita, Fruita (MTB)
April 25, 2014 - Bicycle Colorado Gala Fundraiser, Denver
May 3, 2014 - Rose Hill Rally, Grand Junction
May 4, 2014 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Colorado Springs
May 10, 2014 - Dessert Rats Mtn Bike Classic, Kokopelli Trail CO to UT
May 18, 2014 - Boulder Bicycle Swap, Boulder
May 11, 2014 - Mission to Ride, Montrose
May 17, 2014 - L'Eroica (vintage), Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs
May 17, 2014 - Triple C - Century, Broomfield
May 17, 2014 - Pony Xpress (Gravel), Trinidad 160//90/50 
May 17-18, 2014 - Eagle Outside Festival & Expo, Eagle (MTB)
May 18, 2014 - McKee Classic Bike Tour, Loveland
May 24, 2014 - The Original Growler, Gunnison (MTB)
May 24-26, 2014 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango (Sold-out)
May 31, 2014 - The Great Bicycle Carnival, Colorado Springs (MTB)
June 1, 2014 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock
June 7, 2014 - Pedaling for Parkinson's, Denver 
June 7, 2014 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista
June 7-9, 2014 - The Colorado Death Ride Tour VI, Silverton canceled
June 7-13, 2014 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, (week-long tour) (route Feb 1st)
June 14, 2014 - Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, (one 180-mile day)
June 14, 2014 - Denver Century Ride, Denver (full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4)
June 14, 2014 - Bailey Hundo (MTB), Bailey
June 14, 2014 - G'Knight Ride, Longmont
June 14, 2014 - Starlight Spectacular, short night ride in Garden of the Gods
June 21, 2014 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park
June 21-28, 2014 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado, (week-long tour)
June 22, 2014 - Black Forest Classic Gran Fondo, Parker
June 28, 2014 - Vuelta a Keystone, Keystone 
June 28-29, 2014 - Newmont Bike MS, Fort Collins
June 29, 2014 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden
June 29, 2014 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb, Colorado Springs 
July 12, 2014 - Tour de Ladies, Parker
July 12, 2014 - VR135/90 (Gravel), San Juan Mountains CO
July 12-13, 2014 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon
July 19, 2014 - Bike to Build, San Luis Valley
July 19, 2014 - Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs
July 19-21, 2014 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties
July 19-26, 2014 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado (week-long tour)
July 26, 2014 - Coco Century, Ordway
July 26, 2014 - Bob Cook Memorial/Mt Evans Hill Climb
July 26, 2014 - Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl
July 27, 2014 - Durango 100 Gran Fondo, Durango
July 12, 2014 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge (MTB)
July 26, 2014 - SOS Outreach Eagle River, Beaver Creek
August 2, 2014 - Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, Copper Mountain
August 3-9, 2014 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, (week-long tour)
August 9, 2014 - Red Rocks Century, Red Rocks (a hard one!)
August 9, 2014 - BStrong Ride, Boulder
August 9, 2014 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta
August 9, 2014 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park
August 10, 2014 - Pro Challenge Experience, Larimer County
August 10, 2014 - Grand Fondo Italia - Aspen-Snowmass Pitkin County
August 16, 2014 - Circle the Summit, Summit County
August 16, 2014 - Tour de Cure, Boulder
August 19, 2014 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden
August 23, 2014 - Cycle to Saturn Double Century, Golden
August 23, 2014 - Venus de Miles, Boulder (womens ride)
August 30, 2014 - The Axel Project Bicycle Classic, Ridgeway
August 31, 2014 - Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-Crested Butte
August 31, 2014 - New Belgium Tour de Fat, Fort Collins
Aug/Sept 01, 2014 - The Coal Miner Gran Fondo, Steamboat Springs
September 4-5, 2014 - Rock 'n Road Challenge, Copper Mountain (MTB + Road)
September 6, 2014 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction
September 6, 2014 - Cystic Fibrosis Cycle For Life, Longmont
September 7, 2014 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder
September 7, 2014 - New Belgium Tour de Fat, Denver
September 11-14, 2014 - Salida Bike Festival, Salida
September 13, 2014 - Ride Westcliff - High Peaks Century, Westcliff
September 14, 2014 - Monarch Crest Crank, Salida (MTB)
September 15, 2014 - Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County)
September 19-21, 2014 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Wiggins, Fort Morgan, Sterling
September 20, 2014 - Bikes and Brews/ Royal Gorge Century Ride, Canon City
September 27, 2014 - Southern Colorado Tour de Cure, Colorado Springs
September 27, 2014 - Durango Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour, Durango
October 4, 2014 - IconLasik Tour of the Moon, Grand Junction
October 18, 2014 - VeloSwap, Denver (bike equipment swap)

*Throughout the Year - May 14-September 24, 2014 - Denver Cruiser Ride, every Weds

The events listed above are citizen event bike rides, for a list of bike races in Colorado for the 2014 please see: 2014 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

Just two of the thousands of cyclists in 2013 who passed along Lake Dillon as they took on the 120-mile 10,000+ ft of climbing that is the famed Triple Bypass. Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®

2014 Century Rides in Colorado

These event rides promise you the option of equal to or greater than 100miles on a road bike in one day.

May 4, 2014 - Cafe Velo Tri Lakes GranFondo, Colorado Springs
May 11, 2014 - Mission to Ride, Montrose
May 17, 2014 - L'Eroica (vintage), Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs 
May 17, 2014 - Triple C - Century, Broomfield 
May 24-26, 2014 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango (Sold-out)
June 1, 2014 - Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, Castle Rock
June 7, 2014 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival, Buena Vista
June 14, 2014 - Denver Century Ride, Denver (full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4)
June 21, 2014 - Mountain Top Cycling Club Experience Ride, Woodland Park
June 22, 2014 - Black Forest Classic Gran Fondo, Parker
June 29, 2014 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden
July 12-13, 2014 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon (120 miles)
July 19, 2014 - Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs
July 26, 2014 - Coco Century, Ordway 
July 27, 2014 - Durango 100 Gran Fondo, Durango 
July 26, 2014 - SOS Outreach Eagle River, Beaver Creek
August 9, 2014 - Red Rocks Century, Red Rocks (a hard one!)
August 9, 2014 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta
August 9, 2014 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park (96 miles)
August 10, 2014 - Pro Challenge Experience, Larimer County 
August 16, 2014 - Circle the Summit, Summit County
August 16, 2014 - Tour de Cure, Boulder
August 23, 2014 - Venus de Miles, Boulder (womens ride)
August 31, 2014 - Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB (134 miles)
September 6, 2014 - Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction 
September 7, 2014 - Buffalo Bicycle Classic, Boulder
September 13, 2014 - Ride Westcliff - High Peaks Century, Westcliff
September 20, 2014 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Fort Morgan to Sterling (105 miles)
September 20, 2014 - Bikes and Brews/ Royal Gorge Century Ride, Canon City
September 27, 2014 - Southern Colorado Tour de Cure, Colorado Springs
September 27, 2014 - Durango Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour, Durango

2014 Colorado Gran Fondos or timed events

May 17, 2014 - Pony Xpress (Gravel), Trinidad, Colorado. 160//90/50 
May 24-26, 2014 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango (Sold-out)
May 25, 2014 - Growler Gran Fondo, Gunnison, Colorado
June 22, 2014 - Black Forest Classic Gran Fondo, Parker, Colorado 
June 28, 2014 - Vuelta a Keystone, Keystone, Colorado  
June 29, 2014 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, Colorado  
July 27, 2014 - Durango 100 Gran Fondo, Durango, Colorado
August 10, 2014 - Gran Fondo Italia, Aspen-Snowmass, Aspen-Snowmass Village, Colorado
August 31, 2014 - Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-CB (134 miles) 
September 4-5, 2014 - Rock 'n Road Challenge, Copper Mountain (MTB + Road)

2014 Colorado Multi-day Stage Event Rides

June 7-13, 2014 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, (week-long tour)
June 21-28, 2014 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado, (week-long tour) 
June 28-29, 2014 - Newmont Bike MS, Westminster to Fort Collins (2-days)
July 12-13, 2014 - Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon  (optional 2-day)
July 19-21, 2014 - Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties (3-days out and back)
July 19-26, 2014 - 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado (week-long tour) 
August 3-9, 2014 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, (week-long tour)
September 19-21, 2014 - The Denver Post Pedal the Plains, Wiggins to Sterling (3 days)

2014 Colorado Triple Crown - long distance rides

The Colorado Triple Crown (which now numbers four events) ultra distance cycling events, include: (these rides cover 80-200+ miles in a day, 10-20,000ft of climbing in a day, with multiple passes over 11,000ft.)
  1. June 14, 2014 - Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, (180mi, 13,500ft) 
  2. July 26, 2014 - Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl  (207mi, 18,000ft)
  3. August 19, 2014 - Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden (200mi, 15,500ft)
  4. August 23, 2014 - Cycle to Saturn Double Century, Golden (214mi, 20,000+ft) !!!
Randonneurring - extreme long distance cycling

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 2015) in France. A Populaire is a brevet-format ride shorter than 200km (100km-199km). To learn more randonneur blog. In Colorado see Rocky Mountain Cycling Club. For a list of randonneur rides in the United States, please search by state at: Rondonneur Events.

The high and winding road up Loveland Pass (north side) on the last big hairpin turn to the top. One of Colorado's many 11,000+ft passes.  Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®

Other cycling EVENT rides near Colorado: (CA, UT, NV, NM, OR, WA, AZ, IA, WY) including gran fondos and week long cycling events in the western United States. (* For the traveling cyclist, here are some cycling events in the nearby states of California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Iowa, and Wyoming. When you think "you've done it all" - there is always more.)

*Throughout the Year - RAAM Cycling Challenge (TX, CA, OR, MN, OH, FL)
*Throughout the Year - New Belgium Tour de Fat (GA, DC, NC, CA, ID, AR, MN, IL, TN)

January 18, 2014 - Shadow Tour Stagecoach Century Ocotillo, California
February 8, 2014 - Tour de Palm Springs, California
February 21, 2014 - Solvang Century, California
March 8-11, 2014 - Moab Skinny Tire Festival, Utah
March 21-23, 2014 - Moab Munifest, Utah (unicycling festival)
April 3-6, 2014 - Redlands Bicycle Classic, California
April 5, 2014 - Gran Fondo Las Vegas, Nevada
April 6, 2014 - L' Etape du California ATOC Stage 8 for citizens - Thousand Oaks
April 10-13, 2014 - Sea Otter Classic, California
April 12, 2014 - Specialized Gran Fondo at Sea Otter Classic, California
April 12, 2014 - Mulholland Challenge - King of the Mountains, California
April 26, 2014 - Zion Gran Fondo, Utah
April 27, 2014 - Primavera Century, California
April 27, 2014 - Chico Wildflower Century California
April 27, 2014 - Mt Lemmon Gran Fondo, Tucson, Arizona
May 3, 2014 - Breathless Agony California
May 3, 2014 - Gran Fondo Moab, Utah
May 10, 2014 - Moonshadows in Moab, Utah
May 18, 2014 - Santa Fe Century, New Mexico
May 25, 2014 - Great Western 100 Century (Central Coast) California
June 7, 2014 - Trans Am Bike Race, Oregon to Virginia (4233 miles)
June 7, 2014 - Shadow Tour Fiesta Metric, San Diego
June 14, 2014 - Ride Around the Bear, Big Bear, California
June 28, 2014 - Climb to Kaiser, Fresno, California
June 28-29, 2014 - Rough Riders 200, Taos/Angel Fire New, Mexico
June 28, 2014 - Giro Bella, Sonoma County California
July 11-13, 2014 - Cycle Oregon, Oregon (weekend ride)
July 12, 2014 - Death Ride, California
July 20-26, 2014 - Ragbrai, Iowa
July 31, 2014 - RAMROD, Mt Rainier, Washington
August 16-17, 2014 - Bike MS Wyoming, Colorado-Wyoming
August 23, 2014 - Hoodoo 500 (relay/solo), Utah 
September 6, 2014 - Amtrak Century, Southern California
September 6-13, 2014 - Cycle Oregon, Oregon (week-long ride)
September 6, 2014 - LOTOJA, Utah to Wyoming
September 7, 2014 - Giro di San Diego Granfondo, Solano Beach, California
September 13, 2014 - Viva Bike Vegas - Gran Fondo Pinarello, Nevada  
September 20, 2014 - Moab Century Tour, Utah
September 27, 2014 - Coeur d'Fondo, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
September 28, 2014 - Gran Fondo Italia - Beverly Hills, California
October 4, 2014 - Levi's GranFondo, California
October 4, 2014 - Gila Monster Gran Fondo, Silver City, New Mexico
October 18, 2014 - Santa Barbara Century, California
October 11, 2014 - Tri-States Gran Fondo, Mesquite, Nevada
October 25, 2014 - Gran Fondo Hincapie, Greenville, South Carolina
November 9, 2014 - Palm Desert Century, Palm Desert
November 22, 2014 - El Tour de Tucson, Arizona
* many more rides in California listed and mapped at: TourofCalifornia.org

You won't have to go to Ragbrai in Iowa to find watermelon at a bike event, but you will have to ride for miles and miles to earn it. Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®
Gran Fondo (cyclosportive) events in the U.S.A. for the 2014 season
April 5, 2014 - Gran Fondo Las Vegas, Nevada
April 6, 2014 - Campagnolo Gran Fondo San Diego, California
April 6, 2014 - L'Etape du California, Thousand Oaks, CA (Stage 8 2014 ATOC)
April 12, 2014 - Specialized Gran Fondo at Sea Otter Classic, California
April 26, 2014 - Zion Gran Fondo, Zion National Park, Utah
April 27, 2014 - Mt Lemmon Gran Fondo, Tucson, Arizona
May 3, 2014 - Gran Fondo Moab, Utah
May 17, 2014 - Pony Xpress, (Gravel), Trinidad, Colorado 160//90/50  
May 18, 2014 - Gran Fondo New York - The True Experience, New York
May 24-26, 2014 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango (Sold-out)
May 25, 2014 - Growler Gran Fondo, Gunnison, Colorado
June 22, 2014 - Black Forest Classic Gran Fondo, Parker, Colorado
June 28, 2014 - Vuelta a Keystone, Keystone, Colorado
June 29, 2014 - Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, Colorado 
July 27, 2014 - Durango 100 Gran Fondo, Durango, Colorado
August 10, 2014 - Gran Fondo Italia - Snowmass Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado 
August 23, 2014 - RBC GranFondo - Banff Canada
August 31, 2014 - Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison-Crested Butte
September 6, 2014 - RBC GranFondo Whistler Canada
September 13, 2014 - Viva Bike Vegas - Gran Fondo Pinarello, Nevada
September 28, 2014 - Gran Fondo Italia - Beverly Hills, California
October 4, 2014 - Gila Monster Gran Fondo, Silver City, New Mexico
October 4, 2014 - Levi's GranFondo, Santa Rosa, California
October 05, 2014 - Gran Fondo New England, Rhode Island and Connecticut
October 11, 2014 - Tri-States Gran Fondo, Mesquite, Nevada
October 25, 2014 - Gran Fondo Hincapie, Greenville, South Carolina
November 1, 2014 - Bookwalter Binge, Asheville, North Carolina
November 22, 2014 - El Tour du Tucson, Tucson, Arizona
*Full list of Gran Fondo in the U.S.A and around the world at: GranFondoGuide.com

Other events in Canada for the 2014 season
August 23, 2014 - RBC GranFondo Canada
September 6 2014 - RBC GranFondo Whistler

Ride to Recovery, Honor Rides - nationwide schedule !!!
2014 Schedule Honor Rides in FL, AR, TX, and 4 ride locations in CA (please support).
Also support Wounded Warrior, Soldier Rides.

Contribute your support by riding for and along with some great causes across our nation in 2014. Photo from the Honor Ride website.

Citizen Hill Climbs in Colorado in 2014 (These require race licenses!)

You don't need to be part of a team. These climbing challenges come down to you, your bike, and a mountain

May 15, 2014 - Oredigger Classic Lookout Mountain ITT, Golden 
June 07, 2014 - Sunshine Hill Climb, Boulder
June 15, 2014 - Guanella Pass Hillclimb, Georgetown
June 29, 2014 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb, Colorado Springs  
July 26, 2014 - Bob Cook Memorial/Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs 

Want a challenge in 2014?
Recommended reading by Pedal Dancer®: Best Sportives and Gran Fondos (in the world!)

Certainly a tough one - L'Etape du Tour in France, where very few Americans enter.  Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®
2014 Local Colorado Bike Race Calendar

2014 Colorado Bike Race Calendar - Road Races, Criteriums, Hill Climbs, Time Trials, Stage Races, Mountain Bike Races. 

For more information on Colorado racing and licensure, please visit the websites of:
Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) - Calendar of Events
USA Cycling - Events Calendar

Just hanging at the USA Pro Challenge race in Aspen in 2013. Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®

Major Race Events in 2014 

Cyclo-cross Nationals Championships 2013-14, Boulder, Colorado - don't miss it!
January 8-12, 2014 - 2014 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will be at Valmont Park in Boulder.

American Tour PRO RACE in Colorado
Remember the 2014 USA Pro Challenge dates are August 18-24, 2014. The 2014 USA Pro Challenge host cities were announced. Read more information about the race at Pedal Dancer®: USA PRO CHALLENGE

American Tour PRO RACE in California
And of course, I always look forward to my favorite - the Amgen Tour of California. Stage race dates are May 11-18, 2014. The host cities were announced for 2014: Announcing the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. Read more information about the race at Pedal Dancer®: TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

Get out and volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to support the cycling community and keep the riders safe. Simply contact any of the events listed and sign-up, they are eager for your help.

I volunteered with these happy helpers at the Triple Bypass in Frisco, July 2013. Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®
And here, preparing for a Wounded Warrior Ride in Colorado Springs 2013.  Photo© By Karen Rakestraw at Pedal Dancer®

Additional Reading

Need a new bike in 2014: read All the Road Bike Reviews of the 2013 Tour.

Want to travel and ride in 2014? Here is a post I did back in 2010 with many more steep climbs (in Europe): The best climbs in Europe in the 2011 Grand Tours, or Best Climbs in the 2013 Tour de France. For many more ideas on rides, please see my Guide Pages to - France Cycling or Colorado Cycling.

Are you a fan of the big Colorado mountain climbs? A book worth purchasing is: Recommended Reading: Guide to Climbing.

Add your event 

To the Pedal Dancer Colorado Cycling Event Calendar: Please contact me to add your event to these lists. Please: If you appreciate the work I do,  show your appreciation - Like my Pedal Dancer® facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PedalDancerCycling or follow me on Twitter @KarenRake.

2015 update: 2015 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides (new calendar list for 2015)