Colorado Ride - Western Slope to the Rockies

Accommodations

Campgrounds, Lodges and Hotels (hotel options available)

Total Mileage

250

Group Size

Range of Daily Mileage

36 - 73

Fundraising Commitment

$3,200

Trip Length

6 Days

The newest Climate Ride is a breath-taking 6-day charitable adventure that begins in Western Colorado at the Carpenter Ranch near Hayden, CO, a private conservation ranch known for its superb bird habitat. Our cycling route travels quiet roads to Steamboat Springs and the Yampa River Valley. Then we cross the Rockies through Rocky Mountain National Park to our triumphant finale in Boulder. Climate Ride will provide a shuttle from Denver and Boulder to the bike ride start.

Daily cycling mileages to suit all types of cyclists. This is a fully supported ride which means you can focus on the pedaling and making connections with your new friends while we take care of everything from overnight details, meals, snacks, luggage transport, and much more to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Learn more in the FAQ.

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Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Travel Planner will include full details)

Day 1

Welcome & Nature Walk with Experts
Climate Ride's new Colorado charitable adventure begins in the Mile-High City of Denver – with a shuttle transfer to Carpenter Ranch in Western Colorado, a private, 900-acre conservation ranch idyllically located on the Yampa River. The Ranch is a birdwatcher's paradise and is one of The Nature Conservancy’s premiere conservation projects that aims to protect this historic, biologically important area. We’ll get a chance to explore the Ranch on a short hike and tour of the property, then we’ll settle into our camp (rooms are available at the Ranch) before gathering for a Western BBQ welcome dinner (veggie options available!) and to hear from conservation and climate experts.

Shared rooms or camping at the Carpenter Ranch tonight.

Day 2

Bike 36 Miles | Elevation Gain: 2139 ft / Elevation Loss: 1952 ft
One of our shorter days, our pace will be more relaxed today. Following a hearty hot breakfast at the Ranch, our journey takes us through rolling open plains, dotted with sagebrush to the quaint town of Steamboat Springs. Here we’ll cycle along the Yampa River bike trail into downtown for a picnic lunch at a local park. The afternoon includes a chance to explore Steamboat or visit the natural waters at local hot springs. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an outdoor picnic dinner at camp before hearing from an informative speaker. Then it’s your choice whether to hit the hay early for the big day tomorrow or stay up stargazing.

Camping or cabins at the campground tonight. If you prefer a hotel in Steamboat Springs (additional cost) please request our approved hotel list.

Day 3

Bike 48 Miles | Elevation Gain: 1798 ft / Elevation Loss: 2746 ft
or
Bike 73 Miles | Elevation Gain: 3852 ft / Elevation Loss: 3176 ft
Today is a big day! We have some amazing bike riding planned for this morning when we head south from Steamboat Springs and cycle past small family farms toward the striking Flat Top Mountains. We’ll have a picnic lunch in the town of Yampa next to a historic jailhouse and the town’s quirky General Store. After lunch, we climb over Gore Pass (9524 ft), and then a 10-mile downhill descending through a vast verdant forest to the town of Kremmling, our destination for the night. (If you take the shorter option we shuttle you from lunch to the top of Gore Pass.)

We’ll stay at a local hotel this evening, and explore the town’s dining options during an on-your-own dinner.

Day 4

Bike 46 Miles | Elevation Gain: 1673 ft / Elevation Loss: 318 ft
On the morning of Day 4, the epic cycling continues as we ride along the headwaters of the Colorado River to the foot of Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, we’ll ride our bikes through a stunning canyon and enjoy a fortifying lunch in the town of Hot Sulpher Springs. In the afternoon, we’ll pass by several wildlife viewing areas that showcase the rich diversity of this region. Then, turning north, we’ll climb alongside Lake Granby to Grand Lake – a classic vibrant mountain town. Enjoy a well-deserved ice cream cone in town before the last few miles to our camp located adjacent to the National Park.

Camping and cabins are available at our camp tonight.

Day 5

Bike 45 Miles | Elevation Gain: 4206 ft / Elevation Loss: 4839 ft

Today we’ll traverse Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road – hands-down one of the most scenic stretches of road in America. From camp, we’ll roll through stunning sub-alpine meadows before beginning our climb to above the tree-line. The ascent is gradual and eventually, we’ll top out at 12,090 ft – more than two miles above sea level. The views from the top are spectacular and worth the climbing and heavy breathing! After taking it all in, we’ll descend down the east side of the mountain range to Estes Park.

Tonight we’ll stay in rustic lodge rooms and enjoy a camp cook-out dinner.

Day 6

Bike 49 Miles | Elevation Gain: 4137 ft / Elevation Loss: 6778 ft

This morning, we head out early on our final bike ride together! After a hearty breakfast and packing up snacks, we’ll depart Estes Park, and begin cycling through thick forests of the Front Range to the town of Ward where we’ll visit a local artists’ collective. From there, we’ll descend to the Great Plains and jump on a bike path into the famous town of Boulder. Here we’ll enjoy a final picnic lunch and then retrieve our gear before saying goodbye until the next Climate Ride.

FAQs and More Info

Accommodations & Meals

Climate Ride Colorado is a 5-night, 6-day charitable cycling trip that showcases the best of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains from Hayden to Boulder through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Each evening, our accommodations vary and we’ll be staying at a campground, hotel or lodge along the route. Amenities in camp include hot showers, a first aid station, electronics charging station, clean restrooms, and shared accommodations in cabins or rooms (at some locations). Three of the nights are camping, so you should bring your tent, sleeping bag, and pad.

If you’d like hotel accommodations on the camping nights (additional cost), we will shuttle you to designated hotels near camp. Please be advised that you need to confirm hotels with the Climate Ride staff immediately as there are extra logistics involved in the hotel shuttle. More information will be available in the Travel Planner after you register.

Breakfasts and dinners are handled by local caterers. Think hot breakfasts with lots of great options and, of course, coffee, and nourishing, tasty dinners with delicious desserts. Picnic lunches are prepared by our amazing food crew and include lunch meats, veggie options, salads, and all the fixings. Our morning snack table will have items to-go to keep you energized all day while riding.

On Climate Ride Colorado, camp becomes a traveling village and dynamic community. In the evenings after dinner, we’ll gather for our Evening Program which features speakers, locals, and experts. A community doesn’t get better than on Climate Ride!

Travel Information

The cycling event begins in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 12 noon. We will provide a shuttle from Denver as well. Then we will shuttle together to the Carpenter Ranch in Hayden, Colorado.

If you’re traveling to Denver or Boulder, we advise that you arrive the night before and stay in the Denver/Boulder area. More detailed information about the ride start is available in the Travel Planner which you’ll receive once you register.

At the cycling trip end in Boulder on Thursday, August 30, we’ll have a shuttle available destined for Denver as well as the Denver airport. The shuttle will depart at 2 pm after a picnic lunch and group photo. We recommend not making flight arrangements until after 5 pm.

TRAIN: If you are traveling to the ride with Amtrak, you may be able to bring your bike onboard! Learn more here.

Fundraising Beneficiaries

Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to fundraise for from our extensive list of beneficiary organizations. Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.

Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates

Fundraising Deadlines:

$500 to be raised by:	July 6, 2018
$1600 to be raised by:	July 27, 2018
$3200 to be raised by:	August 17, 2018

Transfer Deadline: August 3, 2018

Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!

Colorado Ride – Western Slope to the Rockies

Western Slope to Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range

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Event Itinerary Overview

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FAQs and More Info

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Colorado Ride – Western Slope to the Rockies

Western Slope to Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range

Photo Gallery

Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Travel Planner will include full details)

Ready to get started?

FAQs and More Info

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