2014 Spring Classics Schedule

Spring Classics, Fall Classics, Semi-Classics, One-Day Classics


Dates and links to the 2014 Spring Classics in Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy:

DATES

One-Day Classics - Spring Classics
Milano-Sanremo - 23 March 2014
E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke - 28 March 2014
Gent-Wevelgem - 30 March 2014
Tour des Flandres - 06 April 2014
Paris-Roubaix -13 April 2014
Amstel Gold - 20 April 2014
La Fleche Wallonne - 23 April 2014
Liège–Bastogne–Liège - 27 April 2014

The Monuments

Milan-San Remo (Italy) - 23 March 2014
Tour of Flanders (Belgium) (Ronde van Vlaanderen) - 06 April 2014
Paris–Roubaix (France) -13 April 2014
Liège–Bastogne–Liège (Belgium) - 27 April 2014
Il Lombardia (Italy) - - 05 October 2014

Fall Classics

Clasica Ciclista San Sabastian - 02 August 2014
UCI Worlds - 21-28 September 2014, Ponferrada, Spain
Il Lombardia - 05 October 2014

Belgian Semi-Classics (not on the UCI WorldTour):

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - 01 March 2014
Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne - 02 March 2014 (this is the race canceled due to snow in 2013)
Scheldeprijsf - 9 April 2014
De Brabantse Pijl - 16 April 2014

Italian Semi-Classic (not on the UCI WorldTour)

Strade Bianche 8 March 2014

More race dates may all be found at this same link by using the dropdown box and selecting the Tour:
2014 UCI WorldTour race schedule
2014 UCI Europe race schedule
2014 UCI American Tour race schedule

Archived 2013 Schedule here: 2013 Cycling Classics race calendar

2014 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

List of 2014 Cycling Races in Colorado - Road Races, Criteriums, Hill Climbs, Time Trials, Mountain Bike and Stage Races

Update 2016 Race Calendar: 2016 Colorado and National Bike Race Calendar List
Update 2015 Race Calendar: 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

A new year is upon us and road racing season begins in Colorado the 3rd week in February. One month in winter now separates cyclocross racing from road racing. Come fall, the transition will be a week or so, one weekend you will be on your road bike, the next weekend you will be on your cross bike. Add in some mountain bike races, hill climbs, and criteriums in the height of summer and you are looking at a very full calendar of racing in Colorado planned throughout 2014.

Important: Changes in race license requirements through BRAC and USAC apply for 2014 - please check with these cycling agencies or directly with the race organizer for exact rules applying to each race. Depending on your race category licenses / memberships from both agencies might be required, rules for teams and 1-day licenses have also changed. All licenses expire on December 31st of the year issued.

More information on race licenses at: BRAC,  RACE ORGANIZER LIST,  USAC.

For a calendar list of bike events and rides in Colorado, including century rides, for the 2014 season - please see: 2014 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Colorado Bike Races   [race flyers will add when available]

Dates of Road Race, Criterium, Hill Climb, Time Trial, Mountain Bike, Stage Races

February 22, 2104 - Gebhardt Automotive Cycling Classic Flyer
March 08, 2104 - University of Denver Criterium Flyer
March 09, 2104 - Frostbite Time Trial Flyer  Rescheduled
March 15, 2104 - Oredigger Classic - Lookout Mountain ITT/Hillclimb Day 1 Flyer
March 15, 2104 - Oredigger Classic - Collegiate Street Sprints Flyer
March 16, 2104 - Oredigger Classic - Criterium Day 2 Flyer
March 22, 2104 - University of Colorado-Candelas Circuit Race Flyer
March 23, 2104 - University of Colorado-Stazio Criterium Flyer
March 29, 2104 - Colorado State University Road Race Day 1 Flyer
March 30, 2104 - Colorado State University Criterium Day 2 Flyer
April 05, 2104 - Louisville Criterium Flyer Website
April 05, 2104 - Front Range Cycling Classic - Criterium Flyer
April 05, 2104 - Front Range Cycling Classic - Collegiate TTT Flyer
April 06, 2104 - Front Range Cycling Classic - Road Race Flyer
April 12, 2104 - Fort Lewis College Squaker Criterium Flyer
April 13, 2104 - Fort Lewis College Squaker Road Race Flyer
April 18, 2104 - Maverick Classic Day 1 - Crit  Fruita Flyer
April 19, 2104 - Weld County Road Race Flyer
April 19, 2104 - Maverick Classic Day 2 - TT  Fruita Flyer
April 19, 2104 - Maverick Classic Day 2 - Crit  Grand Junction Flyer
April 20, 2104 - Maverick Classic Day 3 - Road Race Palisades Flyer
April 24-27, 2014 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival (MTB) Website
April 25-27, 2014 - BRAC Junior Road Camp Website
April 26, 2104 - Denver Federal Center Classic Flyer
April 27, 2104 - 11th Annual Deer Trail Road Race Rescheduled in June
May 2-3, 2014 - 18 hours of Fruita (MTB) Website
May 03, 2104 - Café Velo Tri-Lakes TT
May 04, 2014 - Koppenberg Road Race Website
May 10, 2014 - Wheels of Thunder
May 10, 2014 - Desert Rats Mountain Bike Classic 100K (MTB) Website
May 17, 2014 - Firebird 40 (MTB) Website
May 17, 2014 - Superior Morgul Classic- Criterium Website
May 18, 2014 - Superior Morgul Classic-Road Race Website
May 24, 2014 - Colorado Mini Classic - Criterium Flyer
May 25, 2014 - Colorado Mini Classic - Road Race JR RR Championships
May 31, 2014 - City Park Criterium Flyer
May 31, 2014 - ERock Sunrise to Sunset (MTB) Relay Website
June 01, 2014 - Coal Miners Circuit Race Website 
June 01, 2014 - Beti Bike Bash (MTB) Website
June 07, 2014 - Sunshine Hill Climb Flyer
June 07, 2014 - Hammer Time Trial Day, Velodrome, Colorado Springs Flyer
June 08, 2014 - Sonic Boom - CO Master Crit Championships Website Flyer
June 14, 2014 - Best on Hess TT / TTT Flyer
June 14, 2014 - Bailey Hundo, 100-mile (MTB) Website 
June 15, 2014 - Guanella Pass Hillclimb Flyer
June 21, 2014 - Tour of Westcliffe-CO Jr & SR RR Championships cancelled
June 21, 2104 - Deer Trail Road Race SR RR Championships Flyer
June 22, 2014 - Ridge at 38 Criterium, Wheat Ridge Website
June 28, 2014 - John Stenner Mem'l - CO Time Trial Championships Flyer
June 29, 2014 - North Boulder Park Classic Rescheduled in August
July 04, 2014 - Olde Capitol Crit (Friday) cancelled
July 12, 2014 - Haystack Mtn TT/TTT Flyer cancelled
July 13, 2014 - Longmont Criterium Website
July 18, 2014 - Salida Classic Time Trials (Friday) Flyer
July 19, 2104 - Salida Classic Criterium Flyer
July 19-20, 2014 - Enduro X Games (Downhill),  Series July-August
July 20, 2014 - Salida Classic Road Race, CO Mstr RR Championships Flyer
July 26, 2014 - Bob Cook Mem'l Mt Evans Hill Climb Website
July __, 2014 - Breckenridge 100 Challenge (MTB) Website
August 02, 2014 - Colorado Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hill Climb Flyer 
August 03, 2014 - Bannock St Criterim - CO Jr Crit Championships
August 09, 2014 - Littleton Twilight Crit - CO Senior Crit Championships
August 09, 2014 - Leadville Trail MTB 100 Website
August 10-14, 2014 - Breck Epic (MTB) Stage Race Website
August 15, 2014 - Casper Classic Stage Race- TT
august 16, 2014 - North Boulder Park Classic
August 16, 2014 - Casper Classic Stage Race - RR cancelled
August 17, 2014 - Casper Classic Stage Race - Criterium cancelled
August 17, 2014 - Casper Classic Stage Race - GC cancelled
August 18, 2014 - Girls Night Out Gran Prix Website
August 18, 2014 - Girls Night Out - TT (Monday)
August 23, 2014 - King of the Mountain Hill Climb
August 24, 2014 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb Flyer
August 29-20, 2014 - Grand Junction Off Road Endurance (MTB)
August 30, 2014 - Steamboat SR p/b Moots Cycles - TT Website
August 31, 2014 - Steamboat SR p/b Moots Cycles - RR Website
September 01, 2014 - Steamboat SR p/b Moots Cycles - Crit (Monday) Website
September 01, 2014 - Steamboat SR p/b Moots Cycles - GC (Monday) Website
September 13, 2014 - Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race Website

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Colorado Weekly Race Series

Karen Hornbostel Memorial Time Trial Series - Cherry Creek Reservoir
Wednesday nights in Spring, 6-weeks: Series Flyer

April 20, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #1
April 23, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #2
April 30, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #3
May 07, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #4
May 14, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #5
May 21, 2104 - Karen Hornbostel Mem'l TT #6

Propeloton Time Trial Series - Boulder
Wednesday nights throughout the spring/summer: Series Website

May 7, 2014 - Time Trial #1
June 4, 2014 - Time Trial #2
July 2, 2014 - Time Trial #3
August 6, 2014 - Time Trial #4

Inspired Training Midweek Training Series - Flyer

Wednesday nights in Summer, 6-weeks: Inspired Training Center

June 04, 2014 - Inspired Training Midweek Race
June 11, 2014 - Inspired Training Midweek Race
June 18, 2014 - Inspired Training Midweek Race
June 25, 2014 - Inspired Training Midweek Race
July 02, 2014 - Inspired Training Midweek Race

P2P Mid-Wk Series @ CSP p/b Racer X Flyer

Wednesday nights in Summer, 7-weeks:

July 09, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
July 16, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
July 23, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
July 30, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
August 06, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
August 20, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series
August 27, 2014 - P2P Mid-Wk Series

Friday Night Racing at Boulder Valley Velodrome (BVV) Flyer
Friday nights in Summer, June - September. No racing 7/4 or 8/22

June 6, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
June 12, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV cancelled
June 20, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
June 27, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
July 11, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
July 18, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
July 25, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Aug 1, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Aug 8, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Aug 15, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Aug 29, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Sept 5, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Sep 12, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV
Sep 19, 2014 - Friday Night Racing at BVV

At the race in downtown Denver.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

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
July 26, 2014 - Bob Cook Memorial/Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs
August 2, 2014 - Colorado Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hillclimb, Golden  
August 23, 2014 - King of the Mountain Hill Climb
August 24, 2014 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb, Colorado Springs 

The climb of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Also see:
USA Cycling Events Calendar
BRAC Cycling Calendar
303Cycling.com Colorado Calendar

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Gran Fondos & Timed Events

Since many believe that Gran Fondos are races as well (and it certainly feels like a race at the front, or even the middle), I include a partial list here of gran fondos (cyclosportive, cyclosportif) scheduled for 2014 near Colorado or worth a road trip:

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

Gran Fondos are a great way to combine racing and travel. You will get to ride in a new and different locations, although if you are racing - you won't notice the scenery anyway, so book a good hotel and try the local food. This is Tucson, Arizona. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

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UCI American Tour Calendar

American Tour Pro Races in the USA - 2014 dates (not WorldTour):
April, 18-19, 2014 - Winston-Salem Cycling Classic, UCI 1.2 , Massachusetts, USA
May 04, 2014 Tour of the Gila, Silver City, New Mexico
May 11-18, 2014 Amgen Tour of California, State of California
June 01, 2014 The Philadelphia Cycling Classic, Philadelphia
August 4-10, 2014 The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, State of Utah
August 18-24, 2014 USA Pro Challenge, State of Colorado
September 13, 2014 Bucks County Classic, Pennsylvania

*No more Tour of the Battenkill (New York)
*No more Tour of Elk Grove (Illinois)

Tejay van Garderen celebrating with his BMC teammates in 2013.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2014 USA Pro Challenge dates are August 18-24, 2014. The USA Pro Challenge Stage 7 and other host cities were decided. Read more about the plan for 2014 USA Pro at the Pedal Dancer® Guide Page: USA PRO CHALLENGE.

Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 18 – Aspen Circuit Race
Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte (climbs, mixed terrain)
Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge (long road, climbing at end)
Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 24 – Boulder - Golden (Lookout Mountain) - Denver (3 laps)

American Tour races in Canada - 2014 dates:
September 02-07, 2014 - Tour of Alberta - Alberta, Canada
September 12, 2014 - Grand Prix Cyclistes - Quebec, Canada
September 14, 2014 - Grand Prix Cyclistes - Montreal, Canada

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Colorado Cyclo-cross Race Schedule 2014-15 - 2014-15 Colorado Cyclo-cross Race Calendar, Pro CX, Nats, Worlds

Add your event 

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

Photo for the Day - Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

Now this is romantic (although the chairs are a little far apart).  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Cards, poems, roses, chocolates, flowers, romantic meals, candlelight, candy boxes and champagne. Sounds like a fine holiday tradition to me.

Another holiday celebrated with chocolate! (and anyone who thinks this wasn't worth waiting in line one hour for at the brand new Trader Joes's today - is wrong)

Or flowers!

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Let the flowers grow ...

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Any Valentine would delight in a nice bicycle themed card

Or a puppy! Although this one happens to be mine.

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

How about this flowered filled heart truck?

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Or maybe this bike to cruise around to restaurants and the market - a Felt Cafe 24-speed Deeeluxe!

Alright, a home cooked meal it is then, and a nice sunset.

Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo for the Day - Jasper

Jasper Stuyven of Trek Factory Racing - one to watch

Jasper Stuyven.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Do you know that feeling when you first see an athlete and realize - he/she will be very good? There is just a sense about them, an aura one might say. They have a certain calm confidence, and instantly you feel "this athlete knows himself," this is one to watch.

That was my first impression of Jasper Stuyven, a 21-year old rider for the Trek Factory Racing Team from Belgium. Last year Jasper rode with the successful Bontrager development team, but with his advancing age, he needed to find a new team. He was not just lucky to be signed with Trek, he deserved to be signed with Trek.

It is interesting to watch a young rider making their way up the ranks. Jasper Stuyven recently came in 21st in the Tour of Qatar. The highest placing of any of his teammates (Fabian Cancellara was 111th).

This year we will see Jasper in the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), Scheldeprijs, Paris-Roubaix, and Amgen Tour of California, among other races. See Jasper Stuyven's Cycling Stats page.

Manual for Speed wrote two pieces about Jasper worth reading: Jasper Stuyven : an introduction and Jasper Stuyven : in California.

I like Jasper a lot. He is instantly a likeable kid, without shyness or ego, He spoke up directly to ask about my Belgian Nationals cap I was wearing last year at Amgen Tour of California. I like to wear the cap at bike races. I bought it at the end of the Arrenberg Forrest on the day of the Paris-Roubaix in 2012. To me it is just right - comfy and doesn't get in the way of my camera lens (as normal ball caps do). To Jasper and the other Belgian riders it is a symbol of home, a symbol of their youth and an instant connect.

"I rode with that team," Jasper said to me with a smile as he sat in a chair on hot pavement waiting for the first stage of the 2013 Tour of California to begin. Every time I saw Jasper after that day - on the road, on podiums, waiting on hot tarmac - I would smile. That kid will be big, I thought. Bigger is more like it, since he was already quite accomplished at the age of twenty.

Jasper is a good person, a good athlete and one who represents the sport well. Definitely be a fan of his, I am.

The foundation of teamwork forged on the Axel Merckx Bontrager development team will serve Jasper well. He now has Jens Voigt on his Trek team! Jasper selecting pre-race snacks (below right). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

I remember I had the same feeling the first time I saw Marcel Kittel, Peter Sagan, and Chris Froome. I sort of lingered around those three as well, just watching, mesmerized. That old gut feeling I guess. I suppose a lot of people get a good first impression of Jasper, who is known as a One-day Classics sort of rider. I look forward to watching him in years to come.

Here is Actor Patrick Dempsey attempting to slip into the call up spot for best younger rider at Tour of California in 2013 while no one is looking. Nice try.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Lieuwe Westra acknowledges that was a poor attempt, as Jasper claims his rightful spot in the line up.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

21-year old Belgian Jasper Stuyven, 186 cm (6'1"), 73 kg (161 lb).  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Jasper.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Jasper's new teammates at Trek Factory Racing include: Fabian Cancellara, Jens Voigt, Yaroslav Popovych, the Van Poppel brothers, the Schleck brothers, Matthew Busche, Haimar Zubeldia, Kristoff Vandewalle, Stijn Devolder, Gregory Rast, Hayden Roulston, and many more.

*Trivia: Belgian Wikipedia shows a photo of old Bontrager teammate Joe Dombroski as Stuyven (wrong). Joe has since moved on to Team SKY. Another old teammate at Bontrager, Nathan Brown, was signed by team Garmin-Sharp for 2014. 

Jasper on Twitter: @JasperStuyven

Photo for the Day - Gigondas

Nice town, good wine, lots of green

This morning with the continuing cold and ice in Colorado I was in the mood to look at green. At first I thought about the green of Peter Sagan ...

Peter Sagan, in green again.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

But instead I settled on Gigondas. Not only because I like saying the name of this small town (commune) in the Vaucluse region of south-western France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), but because it is one of those places you imagine might exist in France and actually does.

Gigondas has nice roads to cycle on, nice streets to stroll along, nice cafe patios to lunch upon, and good wine to put within. Plus Mont Ventoux is in the back yard and that is one well worth journey up a mountain.

Today I could do with a good meal on a warm patio. Instead these photos will bring back fond memories. 

Photos of Gigondas:  All photos by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® click to enlarge

 

Recommended loop route (to ride or drive) click to enlarge

Pass through the cities or small villages of: Vaison-la-Romain, Seguret, Sablet, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, La Barroux, Malaucène, Vaison-la-Romain. That white capped hill to the right is Mont Ventoux.

Jace from In Situ Travel (bike tours) offers this alternative route between Vaison-la-Romain and Seguret/Gigondas. Jace wrote, "You're absolutely right, Gigondas is wonderful! And it's nice you included a route as well. Next time you're back there, check out this side road between Vaison La Romaine and Seguret. It's not the best pavement, but typically very quiet and has a nice little climb. It's also gets you off the main road for a little bit."

See Google Map:  http://goo.gl/maps/st0no

On to the Tour de France

And then after spending time in this lovely town in France, I went to see a stage finish of the Tour de France in Annonay, a simple working town. Aesthetically is was a real shocker and not exactly the green I had in mind, but it was fun because I was deep into France, I heard no English spoken and saw no American, Dutch, or Australian flags as I typically see on the big mountain stages. The drive along the Rhone River to get to and from the stage finish was particularly beautiful.

Part of the famed Caravan of the TDF.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Gigondas wine

You don't have to go to France to enjoy Gigondas wine (Châteauneuf's "little cousin", By Wine Spectator). You can find the wine at a good local wine shop. Or at Trader Joe's market, which will be opening it's first store in Colorado, just blocks away, in only two days. Yippee!

Read more about the area from a transplanted American couple who write of their travel and food adventures in the area (based in the nearby town of Sablet): Sablet House.blogspot

Photo for the Day - Phinney

The Phinneys, Tour of Dubai and the Olympics

Taylor Phinney (BMC)  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney recently won the Tour of Dubai. He won the overall classification and the Young Riders jersey since he is age 23. Phinney won Stage 1, Marcel Kittel won the other 3 stages. Taylor Phinney's teammate Stephen Cummings was just +15 seconds behind him for the overall. The Stage 1 time trial determined the overall winner of this new stage race. It also showed us who was in top sprinting form - Kittel!

Taylor Phinney's 2014 BMC Time Trial Bike - Photos By Jamie Wilkins of CyclingNews.com

I think of the winter life of a professional cyclist as - Training camp, Tour Down Under, Tour of Qatar, and then the One-day Classics. This year the new Tour of Dubai was thrown in the mix. In some regards the build up to and outcome of the Classics is the most exciting time of year in pro cycling. Only after all that is over, do we then begin real talk of Grand Tours, WorldTours and American Tours.

Taylor Phinney - BMC Racing Team bio 

The Winter Olympics are on

Which means it is that time when I haven't a clue what sport will appear on the TV screen when I click it on. I wait in suspense for the image to appear on the screen, "oh, not interested," "yes, interested!"  Sochi is 11 hours ahead of Colorado. With instant news we hear about the qualifications or medals before we see the actual event saved for primetime TV.  Not nearly as exciting as watching the event in real time.

Did you know that Taylor Phinney's mom, Connie Carpenter Phinney, was both a Summer and Winter Olympian?

Connie Carpenter Phinney.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Yup - gold medal in the cycling road race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Plus four medals in World Cycling Championship competitions (both road and track) and twelve U.S. national championships. She has stood on a podium many times. Connie also was a 1500m speed skater in the 1972 Winter Olympics at the age of fourteen. Pretty impressive.

Taylor Phinney's father Davis Phinney was an Olympian at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, he won a Bronze Medal in the Men's 100 km Team Time Trial cycling. He remains the most winning American cyclist.

Davis Phinney (left) talking with BMC staff members in Colorado.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor himself competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, coming in 4th in the Road Race and 4th in the Team Time Trial. Taylor became the Junior World Individual Pursuit Champion in 2008, the same year he competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's individual pursuit track, coming in 7th. No Olympic medals for Taylor, but he continues the family line of being an Olympian.

Taylor has stood on plenty of podiums himself.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

One of my favorite memories - seeing Taylor Phinney and Tejay van Garderen out training on the road in Durango, Colorado, racing each other playfully in front of their BMC teammates behind. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

That's a big framed bike! And a tall cyclist at 6'5.5" (1.97 m) tall.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Photo by Ron Long for Pedal Dancer®

This is an athlete, did you know he was interested in soccer as a youth in Italy? My guess is he could have been great at a variety of sports.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Family support. The Phinney family is a family which knows cycling very well.

Ron Kiefel (left) preparing to drive Davis Phinney, Kelsey Phinney, and Connie Carpenter Phinney in the car for the final stage at the USA Pro Challenge in Denver in 2013. The Phinneys live in nearby Boulder.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2014 Olympic SCHEDULE and MEDAL COUNT. News and updates at Bleacher Report.

2014 Ride the Rockies Route

A Scenic Challenge

2014 Ride the Rockies route map   click map to enlarge

Ride the Rockies 2014 = 473 miles, 28,265′ Elev. Gain. 2,000 riders, lottery system.

RTR Climbs: Berthoud Pass / Muddy Pass / Rabbit Ears / Battle Mtn / Tennessee Pass / Fremont Pass / Swan Mtn / Loveland Pass / Lookout Mtn

REGISTER NOW: Register for 2014 Ride the Rockies now (open Feb 9th - March 2nd)

• $5 lottery entrance fee charged upon initial registration
• $495 registration fee charged if/when accepted, non-transferable, non-refundable
• Registration notifications will be sent out March 7th

2014 RTR ROUTE

Sunday, June 8 — Boulder to Winter Park 
89 miles | Berthoud Pass – 11,315 ft.

Monday, June 9 — Winter Park to Steamboat Springs 
94 miles | Muddy Pass – 8,772 ft. & Rabbit Ears – 9,426 ft.

Tuesday, June 10 — Steamboat Springs Loop
53 miles | Twenty-Mile Rd. / out and back from Steamboat Springs

Wednesday, June 11 — Steamboat Springs to Avon 
82 miles | State Bridge

Thursday, June 12 — Avon to Breckenridge 
75 miles | Battle Mtn. – 9,231 ft., Tennessee Pass – 10, 424 ft. & Fremont Pass – 11,318 ft.

Friday, June 13 — Breckenridge to Golden
80 miles | Swan Mtn. – 9,520 ft., Loveland Pass – 11,992 ft. & Lookout Mtn. – 7,374 ft.

Bonus Ride

Friday, June 6 to Saturday June 7, 2014 - Ride The Rockies Prologue Ride
48 miles  | 4,447 ft. ride around Boulder, Colorado
Includes: hotel, reception, breakfast, celebrity ride on the 7th, massage, dinner, entrance into the real Ride The Rockies, team kit, team photo and gift. All for $2,500 each. If you go, be sure to talk to Ron Kiefel and Chef Biju Thomas - both men are super courteous and friendly. 

Area of 2014 Ride the Rockies route

Ride the Rockies Route description

This is a great challenging scenic route for 2014. In fact this route is more impressive than the route the pros will ride for the USA Pro Challenge in August. It would only be made better if it too included the area of Gunnison and Crested Butte as the USAPro will this year. But this route is not doable by the pros because it contains sections of bike paths on several days.

The staff at Ride The Rockies know the mountains and roads of Colorado very well. This year they have planned a consistent day-to-day challenge for cyclists. The start and finish should also be somewhat easier logistically (compared to previous years) for participants from out of state.

The entire route of the 2014 Ride The Rockies is central to Denver/Boulder and yet riders will quickly find themselves in big mountains with expansive views on Day 1. The mileage is steady every day, which means this is a route requiring excellent training and proper gearing.

Bring your "Colorado bike set-up," that means at least a 30 or 32 in the rear and a compact or triple on the front. Yes it matters when riding 89,94,53,82,75,80 miles, day after day, at altitude. Training, good gearing and recovery are key to a successful week in the saddle in the Rocky Mountains. This ride has an impressive list of sponsors and tech support to fund the event and help the riders before and during the event.

2014 Ride The Rockies route tests riders "right out of the gate." by The Denver Post (primary sponsor).

Accommodations vary and riders have a choice of self-camping, catered-camping, RVs, or hotels (see logistics). Every town has plentiful hotels (not always the case in some of the smaller towns in Colorado). The total price adds up quickly when using hotels, but a combination of a good rolling duffle bag of camp gear plus a couple nights hotel should make any rider happy.

Lots of information about preparing and training for the ride, here: Rider Area of Ride The Rockies. Ride the Rockies facebook page. Official website: ridetherockies.com. I envy anyone going on this event ride in Colorado in 2014!

Loveland Pass.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer®

Day 1 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 2 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 3 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 4 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 5 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 6 Route Ride the Rockies

Pre-Ride 2014 Ride The Rockies Prologue Route

More bike events in Colorado in 2014: 2014 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides