#Summit County, Colorado.
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| Tripp Fay / Copper Mountain Resort |
When winter turns into summer here in the High Country, residents and tourists alike put up their skis and snowboards and wheel their bikes back out into the sunlight. Once the necessary tune-ups are complete, they will have miles upon miles of trails — whether paved roads or hard-packed singletracks — to explore during the halcyon summer days.
Beyond the joys of everyday biking, Summit County has plenty of bike-related events to make your outing that much more special. From local competitions to rides to support charity, there are myriad options for bikers of all abilities:
BRECKENRIDGE
The Kingdom may as well add “Bicycle” to the beginning of its nickname this year. Not only isBreckenridge host to the USA Pro Challenge Stage 4 finish and Stage 5 time trials, but it also features a number of local races as well as some demo options.
BRECK DEMO DAYS
Formerly Breck Bike Week, Demo Days offers mountain and road demos, a poker ride and guided tours. Enthusiasts can try out the latest rides from Trek, Raleigh and Scott, plus demo bikes with the newest components from SRAM and Shimano.
When: June 27-28
FIRECRACKER 50
Thirteen years ago, it started as an idea; now, this race is a mainstay of Fourth of July festivities in Breckenridge, often leading off the Independence Day parade down Main Street.
When: July 4
BRECKENRIDGE 100 MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE
The “100” in the name isn’t just for show. This race spans 100 miles and goes 13,179 feet in elevation. The course crosses the Continental Divide three times and utilizes backcountry trails, double track, roads and bike trails. It’s the cap to the Rocky Mountain Endurance Series.
When: July 18
THE FALL CLASSIC
The last race of the summer, the Fall Classic has been around off and on since the early ‘80s and is beloved of locals.
When: September 6
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Copper’s biking events pair challenging courses with charitable events, which draw hundreds of participants each year. This year, a Stage 3 start for the USA Pro Challenge rounds out Copper’s cycling calendar. For more information on any of these events, visit www.CopperColorado.com.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COURAGE CLASSIC
Over 2,000 riders hit the road to raise money for the Children’s Hospital in Denver. All starts and finishes are based out of Copper Mountain, making Center Village the hub for entertainment throughout the tour. This year’s routes include climbs of Vail Pass and Hoosier Pass as well as towns across Summit County and Eagle counties.
When: July 18-20
THE COPPER TRIANGLE
The famous Copper Triangle has long been considered one of Colorado’s classic alpine road rides featuring three iconic climbs.
The Copper Triangle is a 78-mile ride with an elevation gain of almost 6,000 feet over three mountain passes: Fremont, Tennessee and Vail.
This year’s event is raising money for the Davis Phinney Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people living with Parkinson’s disease.
When: August 1-2
DILLON
Dillon will catch a piece of the USA Pro Challenge action during the Stage 2 push from Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. The riders will be blazing down Highway 6, take a detour for a mid-race spring on Lake Dillon Drive, before returning to the highway and the A-Basin finish.
VUELTA A DILLON
Previously the Vuelta a Keystone, this Fondo-style road event offers 90-, 60- and 20-mile options. Cyclists of all skill levels — novice, intermediate, advanced and professional — will enjoy the Vuelta a Dillon and its festivities. It starts and ends in Dillon and is followed by the Robert Randolph concert at 7 p.m. that night.
When: June 27
FRISCO
CIRCLE THE SUMMIT/BOB GUTHRIE MEMORIAL RIDE
Put on by the Summit Biking Group, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to all kinds of biking, Circle the Summit is both a memorial to local biking enthusiast Bob Guthrie and a fundraising event for Summit Biking Group projects and programs.
Its funds have gone toward creating the Swan Mountain Road bike path, installing lighting in the tunnel near the top of the Vail Pass bike path, providing striping and signage on the Silverthorne bike path and funding for the Summit Bike Group’s youth program, among others.
Circle the Summit is a family-friendly event with the option of four different routes — 21 miles, 45 miles, 60 miles or 100 miles. Each route starts and ends at the Frisco Day Lodge.
When: August 16
KEYSTONE
All ages and abilities can take advantage of Keystone’s biking events this and every summer. Plus, visitors can take advantage of the gondola to take them and their bikes to the top of the mountain, from which they can let gravity take hold and explore a number of trails of varying levels of difficulty.
STRYDER BALANCE BIKE SERIES
This one’s for the little ones, ages 2 to 5 years old. Running from June 14 through early September, the eight-race series takes place from 10-11 a.m. in River Run Village. Registration is from 9-10 a.m., helmets are required and prizes are awarded to top finishers.
When: July 5, 12, 26; August 9, 23; and September 6.
THE BIG MOUNTAIN ENDURO
Part of the North American Enduro Tour, these courses will challenge riders to the fullest and combine the top trails on the mountain, along with unique course designs never seen before at Keystone. Throughout the weekend, expect to see at least seven rowdy stages and a nonstop festival taking place in the village.
When: July 11-12
WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY CLINICS
Each Wednesday from June through August, women interested in improving their mountain biking skills can get a lift ticket, bike, helmet and protective gear rental for $30.
They will then spend an hour and a half riding down the mountain with a coach from the VIDA MTB Series.
When: June 17 through August 26
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
