July – the best month of the year! As cyclist, we all love July because the Tour de France is in full swing and so is the touring and racing season in Colorado. With envy, many cyclist watch the pro riders at the Tour de France and wonder how they can mimic the fitness and performance of such talented athletes. Cycling fans follow each day’s stage, drama, and favorite riders as the Tour unfolds.
Many find themselves inspired by the passion and prowess of the Tour riders and feel the call to unleash their own inner pro. Granted, we may not have the legs, power, endurance, or sprinting power of pro riders, but surely, each of us hears the calling to test our abilities – to push a little harder – to see if we have what it takes when the pressure is on.
So given you’re not riding in the Tour, you can still take on the ultimate cycling challenge. To do that, you need an event or race to test the limits. Fortunately, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike and mountain bike rides in the country. From bone-rattling descents to leisurely loops, locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer. To unleash your inner pro, you have to select an event.
Following are a list rides, road races, and mountain bike races from our friends over at Pedal Dancer for the month of July.
Cycling Events:
- July 9, 2016 – Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5mi
- July 9, 2016 – Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft
- July 9-10, 2016 – Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120mi/240mi, 1 or 2 days
- July 16, 2016 – Bike to Build (SLV Century), Alamosa San Luis Valley, 35/60/100mi
- July 23, 2016 – Bob Cool Memorial Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs, 28mi, 6,900ft
- July 23, 2016 – Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 25/40/110mi
- July 23-24, 2016 – Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties, 3-days
- July 23-30, 2016 – 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado, week-long tour
- July 23, 2016 – SOS Outreach Colorado – Eagle River Ride, Beaver Creek, 42/68/100mi
- July , 2016 – Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker, Montrose, 33/50/75/115/155mi
- July 30, 2016 – Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi
- July 30, 2016 – Circle the Summit (Bob Guthrie Memorial), Summit County, 21/45/60/100mi
- July 30, 2016 – Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl, 207mi, 19,000ft, Double Century
- July 31-August 6, 2016 – Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
Road Races:
- July 15-17, 2016 – 3 Days of Salida Festival, 2016 website
- July 30, 2016 – Boulder Orthopedic Crit at Table Mountain, Boulder Race Flyer
- July 31, 2016 – Mike Neilds Memorial Bannock Street Criterium, CO JR Crit Champ
Mountain Bike Races:
- July 9, 2016 – Winter Park Series (Race Rendezvous), Winter Park, XC
- July 9, 2016 – Leadville Silver Rush 50, Leadville, endurance
- July 9-10, 2016 – Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro, Keystone, Enduro
- July 13, 2016 – Ascent Cycling Series, Colorado Springs, XC
- July 16, 2016 – Breckenridge 100 Challenge, Breckenridge, endurance
- July 20-21, 2016 – Enduro X Games series, Steamboat Springs, Downhill, Enduro
- July 23, 2016 – Telluride 100, Telluride, endurance
- July 23, 2016 – Screamin Beaver Enduro, Fort Collins, enduro
- July 24, 2016 – 40 in the Fort, Fort Collins, XC, endurance, 20 mi, 4500ft+
- July 29-31, 2016 – Leadville Stage Race, Leadville, XC
- July 30, 2016 – RME Copper Crush, Copper Mountain, XC, endurance
Next – plan!
In your planning preparations, you’ll want to gather road ride or trail intelligence. Meaning, there are key elements you should know before heading out on any unfamiliar route:
- Know the profile – How much climbing and descending should you expect?
- Know the route – Where is the start or the trailhead? How long is the route? What is the technical difficulty? What type of terrain will you be riding? And, What are the current trail conditions if opting for a mountain bike ride?
- Know the weather conditions before, during, and soon after you expect to ride. Colorado weather changes quickly and sometimes, radically. Be prepared.
Ultimately, the best way to unleash your inner pro is to be prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. Functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Next time you are watching a stage in the Tour de France and you find yourself inspired to see what you’ve got – go for it! Pick a cycling event in July, get your bike and cycling accessories dialed in and go big! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re cheering for you!
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