If you are up for a challenge or just want to have a fun adventure on two wheels, we have some recommendations for some upcoming events where you can tap into your pedal power.

As we approach the middle of summer, racing on beautiful roads and trails is a great way to explore the diverse landscapes of Colorado. These events occur during various points over the next two months where you can push yourself in your biking journey and meet other cyclists along the way. From shorter efforts to long distances, there is a race fit for a range of experience levels. There are a few you can sign up for today, so give racing around these beautiful courses a go.

Also, be sure to read through for some of our top on-bike gear recommendations this season!

Photos courtesy of Outside Cycling Series

Crooked Gravel (July 23 in Winter Park) showcases the high-mountain gravel of Grand County with long, winding climbs through aspen and pine forests, and wide-open descents. Cyclists will choose between two challenging gravel courses (67 or 25 miles) that start in downtown Winter Park with a police-led rollout. From there, riders will bank left onto the gravel to head into Arapaho National Forest and through the Rocky Mountain Mecca.

Sunrise to Sunset (July 23 in Winter Park) is a 12-hour endurance race that capitalizes on Winter Park’s deep mountain bike roots. Riders will take on singletrack trails crisscrossing the mountains overlooking Winter Park with a format that’s all about balancing camaraderie and challenge. Race it solo or ride in a two-person to five-person squad. As one teammate is out on course riding an 8-mile lap, the other teammates can enjoy relaxing at camp and taking in the festival, as the race location makes access between laps seamless. Cyclists have the option to take part in the Race the Sun Challenge, a new point system that determines the fastest riders participating in the race.

Copper Triangle (August 6 at Copper Mountain) is graced with breathtaking scenery, gorgeous roads, and three climbs over 10,000 feet. The 79-mile loop begins at Copper Mountain Resort and incorporates three Colorado mountain passes — Fremont Pass (Elev. 11,318’), Tennessee Pass (Elev. 10,424’), and Vail Pass (Elev. 10,662’) — for a total elevation gain of 6,500 feet. This road ride is littered with historic mining outposts including Camp Hale, the training ground for the famous 10th Mountain Division. New to the ride this year is a friendly QOM & KOM over Vail Pass. On this timed segment, you’ll be able to race your friends, the pros, and the clock. Podium presentations will take place for the top three women and men after the ride.

Breck Epic Stage Race (August 14-19 in Breckenridge) is a six-day mountain bike race held in and around the backcountry surrounding Breckenridge. Each stage will start and end in the town, allowing racers to stay in one place and experience the beautiful town for the entire event. In general, the race is 220-240 miles long and ‘features’ roughly 40,000 feet of vertical gain. While on-site registration is available on August 13, 2022, you can register online today.

Lake City Alpine 50 (August 27 in Lake City) is a 50-mile, alpine endurance bike race with 6,000+ feet of climbing. The course leaves downtown Lake City, Colorado onto Highway 149 towards Lake San Cristobal. Then, the course heads onto Hinsdale County Road 33 (at mile 3.65), a great area to lookout for moose and bald eagles across the lake. Crossing the bridge over Lake Fork of the Gunnison River (at mile 6.65), the course heads back onto Hinsdale County Road 30 for the next approximately 15 miles before the climbing gets tough at the American Basin turnoff. For the next 2.5 miles above American Basin, you will be climbing 1,350 feet as you approach the top of 12,640-foot Cinnamon Pass (only Aid station will be a mile below). Finally, you will descend from Cinnamon Pass for two miles near Animas Forks (11,200 feet) and for the next four miles, you will ascend to Engineer Pass before making a nineteen-mile fast rocky descent along Henson Creek. You can then look forward to biking back to Lake City to finish the race in Lake City’s Town Park.

Grand Traverse (September 4 in Aspen) is a race traveling from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado. Bikers will travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountains with over 7,800 feet of elevation gain. The course begins with a 3,000-foot ascent up Aspen Mountain and continues deep into the Elk Mountains. For the mountain bikers looking for a challenge, this is one to put into your bucket list.

Tour de Vineyards (September 17 in Palisade) celebrates the changing of seasons in Western Colorado. Ride with friends through Colorado’s gorgeous wine country prior to taking in the Grand Valley’s annual Colorado Mountain Winefest and all it has to offer. Participants can choose between a leisurely 23-mile route along the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway or the more challenging 58-mile course that adds on a loop up and over the Reeder Mesa. Chock-full of wineries, vineyards, orchards and mesas both routes showcase the splendor of the Grand Valley and the beauty of the Western Slope.

Pikes Peak APEX (September 22 - September 25 in Colorado Springs) is a unique four-day mountain bike challenge on the slopes of Pikes Peak. Participants can choose to race for one day, two days, or all four days! The event features exhilarating routes through Palmer Park, dirt roads, jeep trails, and the amazing alpine singletrack of Pikes Peak. Each day (or stage) offers courses in varying lengths and climbing. The terrain is described generally as challenging, but not overly technical. The experience through the aspens in Colorado’s backcountry draws not only professional riders, but also amateur cyclists looking to strengthen their endurance.

Ride On: Late-Summer + Fall Gravel, Mountain, Road Biking Races In Colorado

Road Cycling + Mountain Biking Gear We Are Loving This Summer