Sidebar by Margaret Rush
Ride the Rockies – December 2000 – Colorado Central Magazine
“Ride the Rockes” is an annual Colorado bicycle tour which started in 1986. Sponsored by the Denver Post and presented by News 4-KCNC, participants come from all over the United States and foreign countries as well. This year 2,000 cyclists were chosen to participate by a lottery system from over 4,000 applicants.
The six- to seven-day cross-state tour incorporates different routes each year. Riders range in age from 8 to 80. Sleeping arrangements include tents, RV’s, gymnasiums, and motels. Host communities offer food and entertainment.
This year’s event covered 458 miles, started in Trinidad, overnighted in Walsenburg, Alamosa, Salida, Leadville, Frisco, and Granby and finished in Idaho Springs. Five mountain passes were included in the 7-day, year 2000 experience: Cucharas at 9,941 feet; North La Veta at 9,413 feet; Poncha at 9,010 feet; Frémont at 11,318 feet; and Berthoud at 11,315 feet.
Next year’s route will likely be announced in February by the Denver Post, and applications will be available then.
