The 35thAnnual

2020 Rider manual

Volume one

AN uthentic AdVeNtUrEA Authentic in the ADVENTURE Rocky Mountains in the rocky mountains

Authentic AdVeNtUrEnt ky mou ain oc in the r Welcome CyClIsTs! 2020

Welcome to The Post Ride The Rockies 2020! We Between now and opening day in Durango, all of us have are very excited that you will be joining us for this now 35th a lot to do to get ready. We will be finalizing the myriad annual cycling event. This year’s route in Southwestern details while you’ll be figuring out your own logistics — and Colorado is truly amazing. The host cities and towns are training! This is the first of two Rider Manuals that you a combination of old favorites such as Durango, Cortez, will receive with detailed information that helps you plan and Ridgway, plus a new addition, Norwood. All the and prepare for Ride The Rockies. We will also continue communities are very excited to host Ride The Rockies to update the website (RideTheRockies.com), post in the cyclists, partners, crew and staff. When it’s all said and Facebook Groups, host informational webinars, and of done, they’ll have worked for over 9 months preparing course, answer your calls and emails. Remember, it never for our arrival and the chance to showcase the best their hurts to ask! communities have to offer – fun, festivities, and of course, Again, welcome to the 2020 Ride The Rockies and thank great food! you for supporting the Denver Post Community Foundation. This year’s route offers a mix of moderate days along with some true epics, including Day 3’s 100-plus-mile trek from Ride Safely, Cortez to Norwood, and Day 6’s climbing-heavy adventure over three high mountain passes from Ridgway to Durango. Each day you’ll get to experience new sites, vistas and views, and everyone is guaranteed to have an “Oh Wow” moment when you stop and see something so beautiful it takes your breath away. Colorado has a way of doing that to you! Twice during the 2020 Tour we’ll get to stay in the same Deirdre Moynihan town two nights in a row, allowing more opportunity to Tour Director, Ride The Rockies explore the community. And we encourage you to do just 303-954-6704 that, whether it’s a stroll around town, an easy pedal along a river trail, enjoying great local food and drink, or shopping in the downtown creative district. Part of the mission of Ride The Rockies is to showcase local communities to the pedaling population so that you will come back on your own and explore more!

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome Cyclists...... 2 Contact Information ...... 3 What is RTR...... 4 CONTACT Registration Information (Refunds/Transfers)...... 5 INFORMATION Preparing For Your Ride

Training...... 6 Hydration...... 9 Deirdre Moynihan Nutrition...... 9 Tour Director Clinics...... 8 [email protected] Equipment 303-954-6704 Bike Fit...... 10 Pedal Assist...... 11 Wally Zediker Bike Rental ...... 11 Bike Shop Coupon ...... 12 Community, Expo, Packing List...... 13 Team Coordinator [email protected] Travel Logistics Lodging...... 14 Transportation to Durango ...... 15 Laura Driscoll Bike Shipping, Assembly ...... 16 Private Caravan ...... 16 PR/Media Weeklong Parking ...... 17 GoAhead PR 2 Day Logisitics ...... 17 [email protected] Preparing For Your Ride 303-817-5216 Mobile App...... 18 Ride With GPS ...... 18 Jason Sumner On The Road Content Creator/Route Consultant Ride Safe Ride Smart ...... 19 [email protected] Route Notes...... 20 Daily Route Schedule ...... 22 303-954-6704 Support Services ...... 23. Aid Stations...... 23 Route Vendors ...... 23. Aaron Zoerner Weather/Climate ...... 23. Operations Coordinator Bike Techs...... 24 Medical Support ...... 24 [email protected] Day 3 Logistics ...... 24 303-954-6704

In Town Host Communities ...... 25 General: Baggage Transfer ...... 26 [email protected] Day Bags...... 26 Bike Corral ...... 27 303-954-6700 Social Media...... 27 RTR Merchandise ...... 27 Website: RideTheRockies.com Teams Facebook: @RideTheRockiesFans Highlight Podium ...... 28 Paceline...... 29 Twitter: @RideTheRockies List of Peloton ...... 30 Instagram: @RideTheRocks Ride Hard/Tread Lightly...... 30 Linkedin: @RideTheRockies Prologue...... 31 Volunteers ...... 32 Address Partners...... 33 5990 Washington St Denver Post Community Foundation Denver, CO 80216 DPCF Mission...... 34 Silent Auction ...... 34 Two Wheels...... 34 Pedal The Plains ...... 36

3 WHAT IS RIDE THE ROCKIES

In 1986, The Denver Post launched Ride The Springs, Leadville, Manitou Springs, Montrose, Rockies with over 1,500 riders from around Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Ridgway, Rifle, Salida, the country showing up to participate in the Silverton, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs, inaugural Tour. It was an immediate success, Telluride, Trinidad, Vail, Walsenburg, Westcliffe, quickly becoming Colorado’s premier multi- Winter Park and this year, Norwood. day bicycle tour. The Post has hosted the The Denver Post Community Foundation was event every June since, this year celebrating its established as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit 35th edition. organization that serves to broaden the reach Each year, the route varies except for one of The Denver Post’s philanthropic efforts. constant: It always sends riders up and Ride The Rockies is the signature event of over a handful of the Centennial State’s The Denver Post Community Foundation, most challenging high mountain passes, helping support nonprofit agencies that work showcasing Colorado’s spectacular scenery to improve the lives of Coloradans — especially and superb road cycling terrain. This year’s youth — all over the state. route is no exception, and includes Lizard The Ride The Rockies Denver Post Community Head Pass, Dallas Divide, Red Mountain Pass, Foundation Grant Program allows RTR to Molas Pass, and Coal Bank Pass. provide multiple $2,000 grants to deserving Over the years, Ride the Rockies has also nonprofit agencies in each Ride The Rockies visited 49 different cities and towns, and 2020 host community. In turn those funds help will see the addition of No. 50 when riders roll provide services for low-income families into Norwood at the end of Day 3. It will be a through community programs that support fitting end to what will be a very challenging initiatives such as education and recreation. day that includes nearly 6,500 feet of climbing Since the program’s inception, over $650,000 spread out over 100 miles. has been given to towns throughout the state, More importantly, because Ride The Rockies and The Denver Post and The Denver Post chooses different routes every year, it has Community Foundation remain dedicated to the ability to support numerous nonprofits serving communities throughout Colorado. By throughout Colorado. To date, the Tour continuing its legacy of giving, and through routes has traveled through (and supported) the support of so many other great programs, an expansive list of communities, including Ride the Rockies is able to improve and Alamosa, Aspen, Avon, Boulder, Breckenridge, enrich the lives countless individuals in our Buena Vista, Cañon City, Carbondale, Castle great Colorado community. Rock, Chama, Colorado Springs, Copper Add it all up, and Ride The Rockies is clearly Mountain, Cortez, Craig, Crested Butte, much more than an amazing bicycle tour. It’s Delta, Denver, Durango, Edwards, Estes Park, an epic adventure that showcases the best Fort Collins, Frisco, Georgetown, Glenwood of Colorful Colorado — and makes a huge Springs, Grand Lake, Golden, Granby, Grand difference in the lives of the people who Junction, Greeley, Gunnison, Hotchkiss, Idaho live here.

4 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

REGISTRATION Thank you for registering for the 2020 Ride The Rockies. Your registration includes: • Camping space – Outdoors or indoors • Access to showers • Transportation of one bag from HQ to HQ for the entire week (70lb limit) • Shuttle services as needed • Entertainment in host communities • Aid stations with hydration and basic nutrition • Access to bike mechanics as needed • Access to SAG vehicles as needed • Medical support • Commemorative Items o Full Week Tour & 2 Day Tour: Primal Wear Jersey – Verify your jersey size here. o One Day Tour: Commemorative T-shirt TRANSFERS o Water bottle Ride The Rockies allows registration transfers. If you can’t o Buff ride, but know someone who can, you can transfer your o Lapel Pin registration to that person for a $50 transfer fee, which is • Tour Map Book paid by the transferee. Just note that no transfers will be • Mobile App allowed after May 22.

REFUND POLICY PACKET PICK-UP OPTIONS We want you to join us for Ride The Rockies but also Here are the options to pick up/receive you Tour understand that sometimes life gets in the way. Refund credentials and official RTR jersey (or T-shirt for 1 Day requests must be submitted via email to rtr@denverpost. riders): com. The following processing fees will apply: • Shipping (Fee: $25): Packets will ship on June 1. • $125 Regular Tour / $325 Prologue Tour processing You can purchase this option with registration or fee for cancellations between January 11 – March 17 afterwards at bikereg.com/rtr20 • $275 Regular Tour / $450 Prologue Tour processing • Elephant Rock Colorado Bike Expo: Sunday, June fee for cancellations between March 18 to April 30 7. You must RSVP to have your packet sent to the • After April 30th – no refunds will be issued, Elephant Rock Colorado Bike Expo regardless of circumstances • The Denver Post, 5990 Washington St, Denver: We will consider requests for deferments to 2021. However, Thursday, June 4 from 2pm – 7pm please note that if you defer to 2021 and cannot do RTR in • Opening/Registration Day – Saturday, June 13 from 2021 you cannot get a refund at that time. 1pm – 7pm, La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Avenue, Durango Please note that if for any reason you cannot pick up your packet by 7pm on Saturday, June 13, your packet will be moved to the RTR Information Booth and can be picked up at any time before the start of the ride.

5 PREPARING FOR YOUR RIDE

RIDE THE ROCKIES TRAINING WITH COACH KATHY Z Designed by our training partner, USA Cycling Level 1 Coach Kathy Zawadzki, our 2020 RTR training plan is designed for the beginner to intermediate rider to be on top form for Ride the Rockies. With 418 miles and 28,000 ft of climbing, this is going to be a challenging event. Riders following a structured plan can make the most of their training time and build fitness faster. The objective is to help each rider achieve their goals – whether that is simply feeling good at the end of the day OR hitting a few PR’s throughout the ride. The self-directed plan is integrated into your own personal TrainingPeaks account. 1. Riders sign-up through www.trainingpeaks.com for a free Basic Account. 2. Search the Database for Ride the Rockies 2020 with Kathy Z 3. Purchase the plan and it will be added to your TrainingPeaks calendar. 4. If you use a training app or device, you can connect Your daily training will be posted in 4 to 6 week blocks with directly to your account. a mid-point review. Riders will get one monthly phone call 5. With the technology of an on-line platform, and email contact with their coach. workouts can be moved around to fit your busy life Special RTR Coaching Plan is $475 for the entire 14 weeks and training schedule. or it can be pro-rated at $175 a month. Contact Kathy, our Coaching Director at [email protected] or call 303- The Ride the Rockies plan from The FAST Lab and Coach 771-3329 for more information and to sign-up. To ensure Kathy Z will be available for purchase beginning on a quality athlete/coach experience, we have a limited Monday, March 9th. The cost of the full 14-week plan is only number of athlete spots available. $99 with $5 from every plan sold going back to the Denver The FAST Lab also offers The Total Package, fully Post Foundation. individualized plans with power based workouts, data The plan starts with a 6 to 8 hour training week, riding 3 analysis, nutritional support and regular coach feedback. to 4 days a week and builds from there. Workouts will be If you would like some guidance as to what might be the structured so riders can add ride time and optional days as best training plan for you, please contact Coach Kathy Z their schedule allows. at [email protected] and check out The Fast Lab’s Do you need a customized and more detailed plan coaching options. https://www.thefastlab.com/endurance- with coaching support? sports-coaching/ This package includes a training plan customized just for you along with coaching support. The plan starts with an initial coaching consultation to learn where you are in your training and to learn what is a realistic plan for you. At his level of coaching, we take into account your lifestyle, work and family commitments to make the training fit your life.

6 WEEK DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 Week 1 Off 45min Endurance Off 45min Off 60 min Endurance Off Endurance Week 2 Off 60 min Off 60 min Off 60 min Endurance Off Endurance Endurance Week 3 Off 60 min Off 60 min Off 90min Endurance 45min Endurance Endurance Endurance Week 4 Off 30min Recovery Off 30min Recovery Off 60 min Endurance Off Week 5 Off 60min:2x10min Off 60min:2x10min Off 90min Endurance 60 min Endurance Tempo/5min RBI Tempo/5min RBI Week 6 Off 60min:2x15min Off 60min:2x15min Off 120min Endurance 60 min Endurance Tempo/7min RBI Tempo/7min RBI Week 7 Off 60min:1x25min Off 60min:1x25min Off 120min Endurance 60 min Endurance w/ Tempo Tempo 1x30min Tempo Week 8 Off 45min Recovery Off 45min Recovery Off 60 min Endurance 60 min Endurance w/ w/ 1x30min Tempo 1x40min Tempo Week 9 Off 90min:3x6min SS, 60 min 90min:3x6min Off 120min Endurance 90min Endurance 4min RBI Endurance SS, 4min RBI Week 10 Off 90min:3x8min SS, 60 min 90min:3x8min Off 150min Hilly Ride 90min Endurance 4min RBI Endurance SS, 4min RBI Week 11 Off 90min:3x10min 60 min 90min:3x10min Off 150min Hilly Ride 90min Endurance SS, 5min RBI Endurance SS, 5min RBI Week 12 Off 30-60 min 30-60 min 30-60 min Off 90min:3x10min SS, 90min Endurance Recovery Recovery Recovery 5min RBI Week 13 Off 90min:3x8min SS, 90min 90min:3x8min Off 180min Hilly Ride 120min Hilly Ride 4min RBI Endurance SS, 4min RBI Week 14 Off 90min:3x10min 120min EM 120min Off 240min Hilly Ride 120min Hilly Ride SS, 5min RBI Endurance Week 15 Off 90min:3x12min 120min EM 120min Off 240min Hilly Ride 120min Hilly Ride SS, 6min RBI Endurance Week 16 Off 30-60 min 60 min 60 min 30min Ride The Rockies Recovery Endurance Endurance Recovery Begins!!! Key: Endurance: Tempo: moderate aerobic intervals Steady State: max sustainable efforts near lactate threshold RBI: Recovery Between Intervals

RIDE THE ROCKIES TRAINING PLAN (3-5 rides per week) and the total weekly hours. That consistency and frequency are more important than any of As it is every year, the 2020 Ride the Rockies will be a great the specific workouts in the program. week of riding in the spectacular Rocky Mountains. But in If you are able to follow the program closely and complete order to fully enjoy the ride, you need to be prepared. Here’s the workouts as prescribed, you’ll notice that this is a a training plan that can help you get there. progressive program. It begins with steady-pace rides, Riders of all levels come together to experience RTR, and followed by a block of tempo work (moderate aerobic this training plan is meant to be a basic and effective intervals), then steady state intervals (max sustainable program that can be used by a relative beginner up to an efforts near lactate threshold), and then a focus on intermediate cyclist. climbing with climbing repeats, which are similar to steady Consistency is the most important component of preparing state intensity, but on hills. to ride over 400 miles (this year’s Tour is 418 miles). If you have to skip a workout here or there, don’t worry The program starts out with three rides per week and about it and don’t reschedule it. Just move forward and progresses to 5 rides per week. You may need to shift days get back on track. And if you have to shorten workouts or around or even skip some of the specific efforts prescribed. individual intervals, that’s a better option than skipping That’s fine, but all the while aim to achieve the frequency them altogether. Above all, remember to listen to your

7 body. This training schedule will be conservative for some know what works and what causes stomach issues and may be aggressive for others. A good way to make this before RTR program easier while still retaining its effectiveness would • Sleep. You’re likely to be riding more in the next be to skip the interval efforts prescribed on Thursdays. Just few months than you’ve been riding in the past few turn these into steady-paced rides and only complete one months. Recovery and adaptation happens when you’re sleeping, so go to bed earlier and focus on interval workout for the week on Tuesdays. You can also getting more restful sleep shift the whole training schedule by a day to match your • Don’t obsess over weight loss. You’ll probably lose personal schedule but try to retain the rest days following some weight naturally through an increase in interval workouts. mileage. But restricting your caloric intake while increasing your exercise workload can harm your recovery and hinder your training progress more ADDITIONAL RTR TRAINING TIPS than losing a few pounds will help you go uphill. Focus on fitness first and let your weight follow • Time in the saddle and back-to-back days on the • Don’t train through a cold. If you get a cold, focus bike are important for conditioning your body (rear on getting well rather than trying to train through end, shoulders, hands, etc.) to what you’ll experience it. You might lose a week of riding, but that’s better at RTR than losing 2-3 weeks due to a cold that won’t go • Early on in your training have your cycling position away checked by a professional bike fitter. A proper fit • When in doubt, rest. If you’re too tired to have a will enhance comfort and performance and reduce quality ride or workout, you’re better off resting. soreness and the potential for overuse injuries as you Fewer great rides will do you more good than a lot increase your weekly mileage of mediocre ones. • Experiment and figure out what works best for your nutritional/hydration strategy during training. Try different foods and drinks on training rides so you

2020 Webinar Series presented by Suncor

Thursday, March 12, 2020 1:30 MST Advice from Alumni Thursday, March 19, 2020 11:30 MST Prevent Recurring Injuries – St. Anthony’s Hospital Thursday, April 2, 2020 1:30 MST Nutrition/Hydration – Allen Lim, Skratch Labs Thursday, April 16, 2020 11:30 MST What to Pack: Tim Baker, Primal Wear & Don Richards, 34 year RTR Veteran Thursday, April 30, 2020 1:30 MST Tips from Olympic Cyclists Thursday, May 14, 2020 11:30 MST Preparing Your Bike Thursday, May 28, 2020 1:30 MST Riding a Paceline/Route Information: Ned Overend & Todd Wells – Professional Cyclists Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:30 MST For links to webinars and Final Notes – The Ride The Rockies Team recordings from each webinar go to ridetherockies.com/webinars/ Webinar speakers are subject to change due to the schedules of speakers. Make sure to check the website for updates!

8 HYDRATION Know how to drink while riding This might sound obvious, but being able to reach down, When it comes to on-bike fueling, staying hydrated is grab your bottle, take a drink, and then put it back, all while critical. Indeed, the main “ingredient” of your blood is water, riding is a skill that needs to be mastered. If you’re not and if you lose body water then your blood volume drops. there yet, practice before you get to the Tour so you have no That means you don’t get enough blood to the muscles. problem getting fluids in while you’re riding. And when you lose blood flow to muscles, you lose power. This is underscored by the fact that the loss of this fluid Hydrate now and later happens quickly during periods of intense physical exertion. It’s also important to remember that proper hydration In extreme cases it’s possible to sweat out more than 2 starts in the days leading up to the Tour. Drink plenty of quarts per hour, and a total fluid loss of 8 percent of body fluids (but not too much) before you arrive so your body weight can occur in just a few hours. is prepared for the start of the ride. Once the event gets Now consider that when you’re as little as a quart low, your rolling, aid stations are available throughout each day of ability to sweat is reduced and body temperature rises — the Tour, and we recommend topping off your bottles and this can lead to poor performance on the bike. Studies every time you arrive at one. Sports nutrition drinks like have shown that fluid losses of as little as 2 percent of body the products from our official sponsor Skratch are a great weight significantly reduce high-intensity cycling time from way to ensure your body start to exhaustion. Simply put, if you’re dehydrated, you’ll is replacing electrolytes be slower on your bike. So how can you avoid becoming effectively while riding. dehydrated? Heed these tips. Drink plenty of fluids This is the most basic of cycling tenets. Hydrate before, during, and after rides. And practice drinking more than you want. Thirst is inadequate to stimulate complete rehydration in a cyclist. Instead you need to drink fluids before you are thirsty, taking sips at regular intervals throughout your ride. Aim for at least 16 ounces per hour when riding, or better yet try to down one standard size water bottle, which is 22 ounces and easier to keep track of. NUTRITION Don’t drink just water Proper nutrition, like hydration, is essential to keeping your While H2O is the basic sustainer of life on planet earth, body performing at its best during your training and while cyclists need more than just water to keep going strong. participating in Ride the Rockies. The best piece of advice There are literally hundreds of hydration products on the is to dial in proper nutrition habits before the Tour to find market, but we at Ride The Rockies are partial to Skratch what works best for you and your body. Don’t wait until Day Sport Hydration Drink Mix, which was created to replace 1 to experiment with a new bar or gel, just in case it turns exactly what you lose, nothing extra. Made with less sugar, out you don’t like the taste — or worse. more sodium, and only real fruit for flavor, it absorbs faster than water alone and won’t offend your palate or your gut. Also remember that proper cycling nutrition involves both When it comes to getting your hydration right, this is as daily nutrition and training/cycling nutrition. Daily nutrition simple as it gets. And as usual, simple is good. Whatever drink requires a healthy balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, you choose, just remember that the first day of this year’s Tour protein, and fat). This is the foundation of improving overall is not the time to be experimenting with a new product. No health and performance on a day-to-day basis. matter what you choose, make sure it’s something you’ll be Training and cycling nutrition are essential to keeping your able to drink for an extended period of time. body fueled properly while you are riding. The long and Weigh yourself strenuous days of RTR can deplete your nutrient stores rapidly. We recommend eating every 30-40 minutes while There is significant variation in the amount of fluid and you are riding, and then consuming a recovery meal within sodium riders lose during exercise, but paying attention an hour of getting off your bike each day. This is a great way to body weight is a good gauge of hydration status. Weigh to contribute to effective recovery and getting you ready yourself before and after riders of various lengths and for the next day. And of course remember that sports intensities, the idea being to try to figure out how much nutrition products from Ride The Rockies official sponsors fluid you are losing per hour of riding. When your weight Honey Stinger and Skratch are a great way to stay fueled drops more than 2-3 percent, that’s when you start to see throughout each day of RTR. negative effects. Now that you know your approximate sweat rate, try to match that with fluid intake. Note the color of your pee Another good way to monitor your hydration level is to keep an eye on the color of your urine. If it’s darker yellow, you need to drink more. If it’s pale, you’re doing good. Need help remembering what’s what? Just remember the phrase, “A happy mountaineer always pees clear.”

9 EQUIPMENT

BIKE FIT In preparation for your 2020 Ride The Rockies cycling adventure, we highly recommend that you have a bike fit done by a qualified fitter, especially if you are experiencing any discomfort during your training rides, and have gotten a new bike or changed other key components such as saddle, stem length, handlebar width, or shoes. All can greatly change how you fit on your bike, and if fit is off knees, back, neck, shoulders, and extremities can all suffer. But trained experts in cycling analysis can help you with form and adjustment to maximize your cycling comfort and performance. • The ideal stem length varies based on rider height and flexibility, but generally you’ll know you’re in the ballpark when you are seated on your bike with MORE BIKE FIT TIPS elbows slightly bent and hands on the brake hoods, and you look down at you front wheel’s hub and it • The No. 1 sign you need a bike fit is discomfort. is obscured by the handlebar. If your hub appears Knee pain, sore shoulders, a balky back, or hand/ in front or behind your bars, change stem length foot/nether region numbness are all indicators that accordingly. something’s not right. • Handlebar width should match shoulder width. • Saddle height is critical. Even if it’s just a centimeter Bars typically come in 38cm, 40cm, 42cm, and 44cm off, you may encounter problems. And what might sizes. Also pay attention to the amount of drop. If start out as a small issue can lead to injury down the you’re not particularly flexible, choose a shallower road. That’s why it’s always best to address fit issues drop bar, which makes it more comfortable to ride in a timely manner. Don’t wait until it’s too late. in the drops, which is a more aerodynamic position.

• Proper bike fit starts with the proper frame size. To • Lastly, always make changes incrementally to avoid get this right start by checking standover height — shocking your body and possibly causing injury. the distance between the top tube and your crotch Better yet, get a professional bike fit so you know when straddling the bike. Aim for about an inch of you’re in the right position for this year’s Ride The clearance if the frame utilizes a traditional straight Rockies. top tube. Or two inches if the top tube is sloping.

• To get saddle height right, maker sure that when HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT pedaling in a seated position your knee is slightly PERSON TO DO A BIKE FIT? bent (approximately 10 degrees) at the bottom of the pedal stroke (in the 6 o’clock position). To double • Check with your favorite local bike shop check have a riding partner watch you from behind • Check out listings at some of the Bike Fit while pedaling to assure your hips aren’t rocking Certification Programs from side to side. If they are, this is a sign that your o Bike Fit Pro saddle is too high. o F.I.S.T. o Serotta Cycling Institute Certified Bike Fitters • Check fore/aft position of your saddle. To do this sit o International Bike Fitter Institute on the center of the saddle, rotate your cranks to the o Retul horizontal position, then have a friend drop a taut • Find recommendations from friends and colleagues line of string from the front of your forward kneecap. The end of the string should just touch the front of • Find someone that is not only a bike fitter, but, your crankarm. If it doesn’t, adjust accordingly until someone who has a background in or understands you hit the mark. kinesiology, meaning that the bike fitter will draw on this experience (as to how the body should move) so that they can provide a better user experience

10 PEDAL ASSIST BIKES Ride The Rockies allows Class 1 Pedal Assist Bikes. Please note the following if you are planning to ride a Class 1 Pedal Assist Bikes: Rider is responsible for ensuring the bike is fully charged before starting each day. Though there is a high probability of access, Ride The Rockies does not guarantee access to a charging outlet at event HQ. Rider is responsible for having an extra battery. They must travel with the battery on their bike OR send it to the Pedal Assist Battery Designated Aid Station (RTR will designate an aid station every day that is at the approximate midway point on that’s day route). If Rider needs a SAG vehicle, please note that not all vehicles can carry a Pedal Assist Bike due to the weight. Thus there may be a longer wait to receive SAG support. RTR will have specialized mechanics on the route and at HQ to assist with the specialized needs of Class 1 Pedal Assist bikes. All individuals on Pedal Assist Bikes are required to follow the same safety rules and laws as all other riders.

Note from Tour Director: I have received numerous emails and notes from other cyclists saying that Pedal Assist Bikes are not in the spirit of what Ride The Rockies is about. Our response is that at its core, Ride The Rockies aim is to help raise funds for the Denver Post Community Foundation, provide an opportunity to showcase Colorado to individuals pedaling a bike, and deliver a positive impact to local host communities. We encourage all riders to focus on their own ride and not what others are doing. We welcome riders of all levels and abilities, no matter what they are riding – Class 1 Pedal Assist, recumbents, tandems, ellipitgo, road, hybrid, BIKE RENTAL mountain, and so on. Need to rent a bike? Rent it from Pedal The Peaks in Durango. In 2019, we had five riders participate on Pedal The Peaks has Orbea Orcas and Pedal Assist Class 1 Bikes, including the one Orbea Avants available to rent. RTR mentioned in this note from a fellow 2019 participants will receive a discount and participant. “Please continue allowing e-bikes. can rent them for $65/day or $390/full tour. My sister was an avid road cyclist until getting hit and run over by a truck, literally crushing We encourage you to make arrangements her pelvis. E-Bike is the only way she could ASAP as there is a limited supply! have done the ride. Many people made the Call 970-259-6880. Tell them you are from assumption that she was cheating, which was Ride The Rockies. Pedal The Peaks has a really hard to deal with.” great crew!

11 BIKE TECH COUPONS

$ Coupon for a Bike 10 Tune-Up at any of the OFF following locations:

It is important that your bike has a good tune-up before Ride The Rockies. Go to your local shop and if you are on the Front Range of Colorado please visit one of our loyal Bike Shops. They donate their time to be out on the route with Ride The Rockies. It is a big deal. If you have to choose a shop to go to – go to the one that supports Ride The Rockies!

Elevations Cycle VeloFix (Any location) https://www.velofix.com/locations/ 2030 East County Line Road, denver/ Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 1-855-835-6349 (855-VELOFIX) 1500 Wynkoop Street, Ste 102, Denver, CO 80202 Wheat Ridge Cyclery 18403 Longs Way, Parker, CO 80134 7085 W 38th Ave Wheat Ridge, CO https://www.elevationcycles.com 80033 https://www.wheatridgecyclery.com/ Mobile Bike Man 303-424-3221 Mobilebikeman.com 720-322-4881

12 WHAT TO PACK? This packing list is meant to serve as suggestions for participants in RTR 2020

Cycling Essentials Suggested Clothing Bike Undergarments (3-6 pc) Approved helmet Medium-weight socks Cycling shorts or bibs (minimum of 2) 1 pair shoes Cycling Jerseys (minimum of 2) 1 pair sandals Cycling shoes 2-3 pair shorts Extra Set of Cleats 1 pair long pants Cycling socks (minimum of 2) 2-3 short-sleeve shirts (t-shirts, camp shirts) Cycling gloves 1 long-sleeve shirt Cycling glasses Medium-weight jacket Sunscreen/lipscreen Swimsuit Supplemental cycling food Chamois Cream Water Bottles Suggested “Toiletries” Toothbrush Toothpaste Additional Cycling Clothing (Cold and Inclement Soap Weather Gear) Shampoo Long-sleeve jersey/arm warmers Deodorant Jacket (windproof/waterproof) Towel / washcloth Tights/leg warmers/knee warmers Shaving accoutrements Long-finger gloves (regular/insulated) Prescription meds Skullcap/helmet cover/buff OTC painkiller (Advil, Aleve, etc) Shoe covers Compact travel kit Hand/foot warmers

Are you sleeping in gyms? Equipment Sleeping pad | inflatable mattress Cycling Tools & Equipment Light sleeping bag | blanket Headlight & taillight (removable) Pillow Patch kit (w/tire levers) Headlamp | Flashlight Toolkit (ONLY essentials) Earplugs Spare tube(s)/tire(s) Blindfold Seat bag or other storage option Nasal strips for snoring Inflation (frame pump or CO2)

Are you tent-camping? Non-Cycling Essentials Tent (Recommended: Big Agnes Tumble 2 mtnGLO) Clothes (see below) Tent Stakes Toiletries (see below) Ground Tarp Sunscreen Sleeping bag (Recommended: Wiley SL 30 ) Bug spray Sleeping pad (Recommended: Insulated Air Core Swimsuit Ultra) Cash | Credit/ATM card Pumphouse pump for Sleeping pad ID Pocket knife Leatherman | Swiss Army Knife Flashlight/headlamp or lantern Cell phone Phone / electronics charger Ziploc bags and/or trash bag (for dirty clothes) Luggage (soft-sided, waterproof)

13 TRAVEL LOGISTICS

LODGING AND CAMPING must provide your own sleeping bag and pad, and you are responsible for setting up and taking down your area. Ear Hotel Accommodations plugs are also strongly recommended. Summit Cycle Solutions (SCS) has secured thousands of lodging units Outdoor Camping for the 2020 Tour. Quality, price, and location vary. Selections are made Outdoor camping space is provided free of charge via the online booking platform. All beginning Saturday, June 13. No reservations are needed services/products are booked “a la for outdoor camping. You are required to set up and take carte” allowing the participant to down your own tent. Outdoor camping is located as close determine his/her preferences. as possible to event HQ, where you will also find mobile showers, luggage trucks, and portapotties. Please note that your camping equipment is part of your Bus service to and from hotels is included in the registration 70-pound baggage limit. If you feel that you need two bags fee for Ride The Rockies at no additional cost. The Hotel (and thus 140 pounds of personal gear) you may purchase Shuttles only service Hotels/Motels/B&Bs that are part an additional luggage tag for $30 via bikereg.com/rtr20. of the SCS booking platform. If you book outside the SCS system, you may take the bus but only to the pre- determined locations. If space becomes limited on the PLEASE NOTE: There is NO outdoor camping on Friday, bus priority is given to individuals that booked via the SCS June 12 or Friday, June 19 in Durango. system. Additional information can be found online at www.summitcyclesolutions.com. SCS provides real time CAMPING ELEVATED communication services to all their customers, including Camping Elevated is a valet text alerts, onsite customer service, and an active 24/7 camping service offered by urgent matter phone line. Summit Cycle Solutions, which provides camping gear and will Indoor Camping set up and take down your tent No reservations are needed for indoor camping. Indoor each night during the Tour. Please camping accommodations are traditionally in rec centers, note that riders must bring their school gymnasiums, or other indoor spaces that are located own sleeping bag and pillow. as close as possible to event HQ in each Ride The Rockies Additional information about host town. Every effort is made to provide indoor showers Camping Elevated can be found and restroom, however it is not guaranteed. Also note at www.summitcyclesolutions. that indoor camping space may be limited, and that you com

14 Camping Elevated Includes: • Daily campsite set up prior to participant arrival • Daily tear down upon departure • Hospitality tent that includes drinks, snack, phone charging • 9×7 Coleman Sundome Tent (or similar) • Coleman Twin Air Mattress (per occupant) • Coleman Quad Chair (per occupant

NORWOOD HOMESTAYS There are a handful of homestays available in Norwood on Tuesday, June 16. If you are interested in this option please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Norwood Homestays.”

GETTING TO DURANGO this product. SCS will email a status update on May 15. Please purchase ASAP as only one bus will Bus from Denver International be operating on this route. Airport (DIA) Airlines Summit Cycle Solutions (SCS) will be Flying to Durango (DRO): providing transportation services to/ from Denver International Airport • flydurango.com on June 13 and 19. Unlike other • American Airlines companies, bus seats are guaranteed o Chicago, IL once purchased. Additionally, buses o Dallas, TX will be accompanied by a semi-truck for transporting bike o Los Angeles, CA boxes. o Phoenix, AZ Saturday, June 13 • United Airlines • Fee: $107 one way o Chicago, IL • Meeting Location: Tentatively between doors 500- o Denver, CO 502 on baggage claim level at DIA. o Houston, TX • Meeting Time: 11:00am Fly to Cortez, Colorado (CEZ): • Departure Time: 12:00pm (52 miles / 1 hour drive) • One Booking = One Seat Boutique Air flies directly from Denver and Phoenix • Bike Transport: Bikes must be in a bike box RTR does not provide shuttles from Cortez • Special Notes: o Transport time is 6.25 hours. Please plan Driving Distances To Durango accordingly (flights, food, etc.) • Albuquerque, NM: 264 miles (3.5 hours) o A minimum participation requirement exists on • Amarillo, TX: 498 miles (7.5 hours) this product. SCS will email a status update on • Boulder, CO: 348 miles (6.75 hours) May 15. Please purchase ASAP as only one bus will • Colorado Springs, CO: 301 miles (5.5 hours) be operating on this route. • Denver, CO: 334 miles (6.5 hours) Friday, June 19 • Flagstaff, AZ: 310 miles (5 hours) • Fee: $107 one way • Fort Collins, CO: 396 miles (7.5 hours) • Meeting Location: Finish HQ (bus pick up location • Grand Junction, CO: 167 miles (3.5 hours) TBD) • Las Vegas, NV: 532 miles (8.5 hours) • Meeting Time: 3:30pm • Moab, UT: 158 miles (approximately 2.75 hours) • Departure Time: 4:00pm • Phoenix, AZ: 454 miles (7.5 hours) • One Booking = One Seat • Salt Lake City, UT: 392 miles (6.75 hours) • Bike Transport: Bikes must be in a bike box. • Santa Fe, NM: 213 miles (4 hours) • Special Notes: • Taos, NM: 201 miles (4 hours) o Transport time is 6.25 hours. Please plan accordingly (flights, food, etc.). To check road conditions in Colorado visit Cotrip.org o A minimum participation requirement exists on Take a scenic byway: codot.gov/travel/scenic-byways

15 Carpool For those interested in carpooling to the event, please check out the Ride The Rockies 2020 Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/RTR20. This can be a great way to make new friends, save money, and lessen your carbon footprint.

BIKE SHIPPING Ride The Rockies recommends shipping your bike with our official bike shipping partner, BikeFlights.com. Their flexible shipping service is reasonably priced, and you can create and print round-trip or one-way shipping labels in just a few minutes. When it’s time to ship, simply attach your label to your bike box or case, and they can pick it up at your door. Once in route, the BikeFlights.com support team monitors your shipments status, and keeps you informed of where it is and when it’s slated to arrive in Durango. To learn more and arrange a shipment, please head to BikeFlights.com. PRIVATE CARAVAN PROGRAM Shipping Address with BikeFlights.com: Durango High School, 2390 Main Ave Durango, CO 81301 (Do not ship to The Private Caravan Program allows Ride The Rockies this address unless you are using BikeFlights.com ) participants to receive personal support from friends and family who wish to share the experience of Colorado’s greatest cycling tour. To help manage the number of private caravan vehicles, both on the route and in the host communities, each vehicle supporting a rider will be required to purchase a Private Caravan Pass. The program applies to all vehicles (RV, truck, truck with trailer, van, and/ or cars) that are supporting a rider(s). BIKE ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY Important Private Caravan Program Rules: • Vehicle Passes are limited to 200; if you do not Once your bike has arrived, you may opt to have you bike purchase the pass you will not be allowed to park at assembled or you can assemble it yourself. If you choose designated sites near event HQ the former, Velo Fix will be onsite to assemble your bike and get it ready for your 6-day adventure in . • Private Caravan vehicle parking will be as close to What could be better than showing up and having it the rider venues as possible ready to go? And when you finish the Tour, Velo Fix can • The Private Caravan vehicle area is not an RV park. disassemble and pack your bike for you. If you opt to build Hook-ups (water, electricity, and dumping stations) your bike yourself, Ride The Rockies will provide access to will not be available the tools you will need. During the event, they’ll store your • All non-riders will have access to event HQ facilities box/case and have it for you at the finish. including mobile showers, food vendors, and portapotties • Drivers should arrive at destination town event HQ Please note you do not have to use BikeFlights.com to use site between 10am-5pm. Please plan your travel the Velo Fix Bike Assembly/Disassembly service. If you fly time accordingly with your bike, you can also make the same arrangements. Or if you are just shipping your bike back at the end of the • In accordance with the RTR quiet hours policy, Tour, you can just purchase the Disassembly service. To when possible, we will try to locate vehicles with purchase this service please go directly to Velo Fix generators away from those without. In addition, ALL private caravan vehicles are required to observe quiet hours (absolutely no generators running) from 10pm-5am • IMPORTANT: No Class A motor homes are allowed on the Tour route. All Class A motor homes must BIKE CASE STORAGE take an alternate route to the RTR host communities If you have a bike case/box that needs storage for the week, Ride The Rockies can store it for you for $20. If you know you will need to store a bike box/case please book space now by going to bikereg.com/rtr20. Please note that bike cases/boxes cannot be loaded on any of the luggage trucks.

16 o Bicycle Colorado: Various Days. Bicycle Colorado offers a great Bicycle Friendly Drivers program throughout Colorado. Check their calendar here – there may be one in your area Once the required safety seminar has been completed, RTR will release your Private Caravan Pass at any Packet Pick-up location. No Private Caravan passes will be mailed. WEEK LONG PARKING Week long parking will be available in dedicated Ride The Rockies parking lots at Fort Lewis College in Durango. A Ride The Rockies parking pass will be required and must be displayed on your dashboard. On the day before the Tour starts there will be shuttle busses continually looping between the Week Long Parking Lots at Fort Lewis and event headquarters at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. There are three ways to purchase a Week Long Parking Pass ($20): • Purchase online at bikereg.com/rtr20 (If you already registered, you can go back in and purchase the parking pass separately) • Purchase at any of the Packet Pick-Up locations • Purchase onsite at the parking lots. This is a cash PRIVATE CARAVAN only option. Please be prepared VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE A registration fee of $165 is required for each car, truck, van, Parking lots are open the following hours: and SUV Private Caravan Vehicle. A registration fee of $200 Saturday, June 13 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm is required for each RV Private Caravan Vehicle. Sunday, June 14 from 6:00 am – 11:00 am This fee includes: • Access to service provided at the overnight site including showers, restrooms, beer garden, daily If you arrive after those hours you will have to find entertainment, food vendors, bike mechanics, and alternative parking unless you purchased the parking pass medical tents online. • Designated parking area at or near event HQ site in each host community • Identified area for participant gear drop off ONE DAY PARKING providing easy access to setting up camp for your Sunday, June 14: La Plata County Fairgrounds. rider(s) Complimentary. Please enter on the Durango High School • RTR merchandise coupon for 10% off total purchase; side. Cars that are left on Monday, June 15, will be towed. coupon may only be redeemed during the event (June 13-19) at the official merchandise tent. One use per pass holder Thursday, June 18: Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds. Complimentary. • Tour information packets

PRIVATE CARAVAN TWO DAY PARKING PASS AND DECAL PICKUP Two day parking will be at the Cortez Recreation Center from Saturday, June 13 to Tuesday, June 16 at 10am. Cost Drivers must attend a safety seminar – either online or in is $10. Ride the Rockies will provide shuttles on Saturday, person on June 13 before picking up the Private Caravan June 13th from the Cortez Recreation Center to the La Plata Pass. Here are the options: County Fairgrounds in Durango. Two Day Parking Passes o Bicycle Safety Webinar: Private Caravan drivers can can be purchased online at bikereg.com/rtr20 or onsite in view the recording and take a follow-up quiz to Cortez (cash only). verify they viewed the full recording o Opening/Registration Day: Saturday, June 13, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, in Durango

17 PREPARING FOR YOUR RIDE

RIDE WITH GPS MOBILE APP Ride The Rockies partners with Ride with GPS, providing On or around May 1, the 2020 the Ride The Rockies Mobile detailed maps of all this year’s routes. Just click here to App will be available for download, and will include the learn more. following information: With Ride with GPS you can download routes to your • Ride with GPS route maps GPS unit, or use the Ride with GPS app on you iPhone or • Daily event schedule Android device to view, record, and navigate. You can also • Daily alerts, including any changes and/or special view changes and additions, such as Aid Stations, as they notices happen. It is a great tool and we encourage all of you to • Meals and route vendors, including gluten free, check it out. vegan and vegetarian options Founded in 2007, Ride with GPS has established itself • Community information, including discounts and as the preferred route planning website of bicycle local attractions clubs, events and the first choice for cyclists focused on • Expo vendors and more experiencing and sharing great bicycle rides.

18 ON THE ROAD

Ride official jersey

RIDE SAFE RIDE SMART Ride The Rockies is conducted on open roads with vehicular traffic present. These roads include both marked and unmarked hazards. Though we go to great lengths to make the Tour as safe as possible, you are only as safe as you ride. Always remember that your safety is in your own hands. Please follow these rules of the road: • Always ride as far to the right as possible • Only ride two abreast when the shoulder is wide enough • Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals. Failure to do so may result in traffic violation tickets • All participants MUST wear an approved helmet with an emergency identification sticker (provided by RTR) adhered inside • Bicycle trailers and child seats are not permitted • Don’t ride erratically. Be predictable and hold your line • Do not wear headphones while riding • If you are inexperienced with drafting, do not ride in pacelines • Use hand signals to indicate left or right turns, slowing or stopping • Never assume motorists see you. Be cautious even if you have the right-of-way • Move completely off the road and shoulder when stopped • Warn fellow cyclists of road hazards • Only pass cyclists on their left. When passing, warn cyclists by saying, “On your left” • Cross railroad tracks at a right angle • Rearview mirrors are strongly recommended • Never cross the road’s center line • Control your speed • All Ride The Rockies support and safety services are provided on the designated and marked route ONLY • Expect the unexpected. You are responsible for your own safety

You will notice there are Ride Officials on the route every day. They are there to help guide riders on safe riding.

19 ROUTE NOTES The 35th annual Ride the Rockies features the stunning roads of southwest Colorado, with this year’s start and finish situated in Durango, one of the Centennial State’s most popular outdoor recreation and tourism destinations. Along with easy access to some of Colorado’s best road and mountain bike riding, Durango offers visitors a plethora of recreation and leisure opportunities. Ride the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, raft the rollicking whitewater of the Animas River, or simply enjoy delicious food and drink at one of the town’s many great restaurants and bars. Durango has it all. And for the second year in a row, the Ride the Rockies route is a loop, simplifying logistics while taking riders on a breathtaking adventure around one of the most scenic areas in all of Colorado. Besides Durango, other host communities along this 6-day, 418-mile clockwise tour include Cortez, Norwood, and Ouray County. Along the way are challenging uphill encounters with Lizard Head Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Molas Pass, and Coal Bank Pass, which together account for the bulk of the route’s 28,484 feet of climbing. During — and between — those ascents is a bounty of spectacular scenery. Indeed, the 2020 route rolls along the banks of the Animas River, winds through Southern Day 1 – Sunday, June 14 Ute Tribal Land, climbs the Uncompahgre Plateau, and • 1st Day for the Two-Day Tour ventures deep (and high) into the . This year’s route also includes a few forays off pavement and • One Day Option onto packed dirt roads, which means less time on busier Durango Loop roads and a little extra adventure. Add it all up and this will truly be the bike ride of a lifetime. Here’s a day-by-day 73 Miles/3,634’ Approximate Elevation Gain breakdown. Highlights: Animas River, Southern Ute Reservation, La Plata Mountains Prologue Experience Ride - Route opens: 7:00am – 9:00am Saturday, June 13 Route closes: 4:00pm Durango to Pagosa Springs 62 or 79 miles/3,470’ or 4,750’ Approximate Elevation Gain The 2020 Ride the Rockies kicks off with a classic Durango- area excursion. Known locally as the Ignacio-Bayfield Loop, Highlights: Southern Ute Reservation, Navajo Reservoir, this 73-mile jaunt features mellow country road spinning, Chimney Rock National Monument a handful of short, but tough climbs, and miles of superb Route opens: 8:00am scenery. After rolling south out of Durango, the route traces Route closes: 1:30pm the shores of the Animas River before turning east for the first real test of the day. After crossing US550, you’ll gain a rapid 500 feet as you climb onto the plateau that’s home to Riders seeking a little extra challenge (and an amazing the Southern Ute Reservation. finish) should sign up for the Ride the Rockies Prologue, which starts in downtown Durango and heads east toward Pagosa Springs. In between is an ever-rolling route through Following a half dozen miles on the flats, the route drops the scenic Southern Ute Reservation, past the shimmering into the town of Ignacio where you can top off bottles and waters of Navajo Reservoir, and underneath the shadow of grab a snack. Then begins the long gradual climb to the the famed Chimney Rock National Monument. route’s high point near Lemon Reservoir. The toughest section comes just after turning onto County Road 240 (around mile 55). There you’ll face a 2.5-mile grind that Just past Chimney Rock, before the route turns onto US160, averages 5 percent and gains 570 feet. Once over the top, riders will have a choice: jump in a luxury shuttle for the the road trends downhill for the next 8.5 miles, though final 17 miles or keep pedaling all the way to the end. Either there are a few short stingers to keep you honest. The last way, your final destination is the famed Springs Resort and of those pops brings you up to the Edgemont Ranch area Spa in Pagosa Springs where you’ll enjoy a gourmet meal around mile 67. From there it’s a straight, fast downhill back and VIP access to the hot springs. It’s the perfect way to into Durango. start a great week on the bike.

20 Day 2 – Monday, June 15 Telluride, and avails a bevy of breathtaking views along the banks of the San Miguel River. And just as with Day 2, there • 2nd Day of the Two-Day Tour is a paved option should weather not cooperate. Bottom Durango to Cortez line, plan to pace yourself and stay on top of your fueling and hydration, as this is a big day on the bike. 69 Miles/3,610’ Approximate Elevation Gain Highlights: Lake Nighthorse, Cherry Creek Loop, Mesa Verde Day 4 - Wednesday, June 17 Route opens: 6:00am – 8:00am Route closes: 4:00pm Norwood to Ridgway 40 miles/2,990’ Approximate Elevation Gain Highlights: San Miguel River, Dallas Divide, San Juan After a great opening day in and around Durango, it’s Mountains time to head west to Cortez. But instead of the traditional straight shot on US160, this year’s Ride the Rockies route Route opens: 7:00am – 10:00am heads out on roads less traveled. The ride’s first 44 miles Route closes: 3:00pm trace what Durango locals call the Cherry Creek Loop that kicks off with the testing climb to the shores of Lake Nighthorse, which gains about 760 feet in 3 miles. The Unlike the Tour de France, there are no rest days at Ride the ensuing 20 miles are gradually rolling or downhill. Then the Rockies. But with just 40 miles to cover and less than 3,000 route makes a sharp turn to the north for the first packed feet of climbing, Day 4 will be the closest thing to a recovery dirt road section of this year’s Ride the Rockies route. ride on this year’s tour. The route starts with a rapid descent back down Norwood Hill, then traces the banks of the San Miguel River for a dozen miles. Fear not, though. This well-maintained 17-mile stretch of country road is frequented by cyclists and trends gradually uphill the whole time, lessening the impact of the non- Next the route turns northeast on CO62 for the gradual paved surface. You’ll also be far away from traffic, able to 13-mile grind to the summit of Dallas Divide, the day’s high more thoroughly enjoy your time on the bike. (Note: There point at 8,983 feet. Up top enjoy stunning views of the San will be a shorter paved option in case of bad weather.) At Juans, and then take off for the speedy descent all the way mile 44 the route turns west on US160, climbing to the to the finish in Ridgway. Now it’s time to crack an Eddyline day’s highpoint atop Mancos Hill, then trends downhill for beer, put your legs up, and enjoy a little recuperation before most of the remaining miles, as you spin past the entrance the final two days on the bike. to Mesa Verde National Park and on into the finish line in Cortez. Day 5 - Thursday, June 18

Day 3 - Tuesday, June 16 Ridgway Loop 50 Miles/4,196’ Approximate Elevation Gain Cortez to Norwood Highlights: Ridgway State Park, Uncompahgre Plateau, San 101 Miles/6,448’ Approximate Elevation Gain Juan Mountains Highlights: Lizard Head Pass, San Miguel River, Norwood Route opens: 7:00am – 10:00am Hill Route closes: 3:00pm Route opens: 6:00am – 8:00am Route closes: 6:00pm You’ll get to enjoy a little extra sleep on the morning of Day 5, as we’ll be spending two nights in Ridgway, meaning Arguably the toughest stage of the 2020 Ride the Rockies, you don’t have to pack your bags just yet. Instead, get ready and easily the longest, Day 3 takes riders on a northerly for an adventurous 50-mile loop that starts with a leisurely trek into the stunning San Juan Mountains. That, of course, bike path spin northward into Ridgway State Park. The means lots of climbing, as there’s 4,000 feet of elevation route then merges onto US550 northbound before turning difference between the start in Cortez and the route’s high southwest at the tiny town of Colona. point atop Lizard Head Pass, elevation 10,222. The good news is that heart of the climb is never overly steep, typically Now the real work begins, as riders will face a gradual hovering in the 3-4 percent range as you roll through the 10-mile climb on County Road 1, which includes 6.5 miles small towns of Dolores and Rico on your way into the of packed dirt road. But the pain of climbing will be alpine. offset by the ever-improving views, first of the sprawling Uncompahgre Plateau, and then the looming wall of the From the Lizard Head summit it’s nearly all downhill to the distant San Juan Mountains. finish, save for the final 2-mile grind up punchy Norwood Hill. In between, the route includes an 8-mile packed dirt Just after returning to pavement, buckle up for a rollicking road section that gets riders away from the traffic around twisty descent, and then an easy roll across the valley to

21 CO62. From there it’s back up to the summit of Dallas A rapid descent to Silverton follows, before the road turns Divide (you can now brag that you’ve climbed both sides), upwards again, this time for the back-to-back grinds over and finally an easy descent back to Ridgway and the finish. Molas (10,910 feet) and then Coal Bank (10,640) passes. Here again the scenery is sublime. No wonder some call this Day 6 - Friday, June 19 corner of Colorado Little Switzerland. From the top of Coal Bank it’s a mostly downhill spin back to Durango and the Ridgway to Durango final finish line, where your finisher’s medal and a well- 85 Miles/7,606’ Approximate Elevation Gain earned beer awaits. Highlights: Ouray, Red Mountain Pass, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Pass Route opens: 6:00am – 7:00am DAILY ROUTE SCHEDULE Route closes: 3:00pm Please note the opening and closing schedule of each day’s route. Ride the Rockies will provide complete route support only during the posted schedule. If you choose to leave Thanks to its approximately 7,606 feet of climbing, the final before the route opens, please understand that we cannot day of the 2020 Ride the Rockies is arguably the hardest guarantee there will be support for you on the route. That — and perhaps the best. After a brief jaunt on flat packed means no bike techs, SAG’s, medical support or aid stations. dirt roads to avoid the traffic and narrow shoulder of US550 Route support is only provided during the posted schedule. between Ridgway and Ouray, the route turns upwards Also note that daily route closings are based on a cyclist for the first of three stunning climbs on the aptly named leaving at the latest scheduled route opening time and Million Dollar Highway. traveling an average of 10mph. Thus it is very important that you track your progress during the day. Do not spend too much time at aid stations or viewing areas if you feel you First up is the trek up and over Red Mountain Pass, which might not make it. Thanks and have a great ride. is both brutal and breathtaking. It’s truly Sound-of-Music scenic here in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Jagged peaks thrust high into the sky, waterfalls plunge down sheer rock faces, and the gaping Uncompahgre Gorge disappears into the shadows. There’s also a little less oxygen, with the Red Mountain summit marking the high point of this year’s tour at 11,017 feet.

2020 Daily Route Schedule: Route Day Date Day Mileage Start Time Opening & Route Closes Window Closing Ceremony Prologue June 13 Saturday 79 4. 8:00 AM 7:30 AM 1:30 PM

Day 1 June 14 Sunday 73 1. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM 7:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 2 June 15 Monday 68 .9 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM NA 4:00 PM

Day 3 June 16 Tuesday 100 .7 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM NA 6:00 PM

Day 4 June 17 Wednesday 40 .1 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM NA 3:00 PM

Day 5 June 18 Thursday 49 .5 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM NA 3:00 PM

Day 6 June 19 Friday 84 9. 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM

Please note the opening and closing schedule of each day’s route. Ride the Rockies only provides complete route support during the posted schedule. If you choose to leave before the route opens, please note that we do not guarantee any aid on the route. That means no bike mechanics, SAG support, medical support, or aid stations. The daily route closings are based on a cyclist leaving at the latest scheduled route opening time and traveling an average of 10mph, therefore it is very important that you track your progress during the day. Do not spend too much time at aid stations or viewing areas if you feel you might not make it.

22 SAG VEHICLES If at any point you are unable to continue riding, SAG vehicles will be available to transport you and your bicycle. When you see a SAG vehicle drive by please give them a “thumbs down” signal if you need assistance, or a “thumbs up” if you are just taking a break. SAG vehicles also carry water, snacks, sunscreen, and tire pumps. It is critical that SAG vehicles are not misused. They are on the route to support cyclists in need, and are not there to ensure you make your dinner reservation. If there are riders we feel are abusing the system alternative means of transportation to the next destination town will be explored. Please come to this event adequately prepared for the challenge, and do not misuse this critical support service. For individuals riding Class 1 Pedal Assist bike, a recumbent or a tandem please note that it may take longer to get the o Skratch Labs appropriate vehicle to your location, as not all SAG vehicles o Water can handle these larger/heavier bikes. • Food (will vary at each aid station) Also please note that every morning there will be o Skratch Labs Chews a passenger bus at event HQ available to transport participants who do not feel that they can ride that day’s o Honey Stinger route. If you take the morning bus your bicycle will travel on o Potato Chips, Pretzels the luggage truck and be brought to the Bike Corral in the o Animal Cracker, Cookies, Crackers finish town. o Fruit All rider wrist bands will have emergency phone numbers o Pickle Juice from The Pickle Juice Company printed on them. These are numbers for you to call if you are in distress and do not immediately see a SAG support vehicle.

Route Vendors will also be present at the majority of the aid stations, selling more hearty snacks. and/or full meals. The list of this year’s food vendors will be posted in the Mapbook and Mobile App.

WEATHER/CLIMATE Ride The Rockies is scheduled during a time when we hope weather conditions will be favorable but, in the event of inclement weather, the Tour will continue to roll! Come prepared for all types of weather including rain, hail, and possible snow showers at higher elevations! Carry inclement weather gear including full-finger gloves, rain gear, shoe covers, and additional layers. Cyclists camping out can expect temperatures to drop to as low as 30F at night and should bring a tent in addition to a sleeping AID STATIONS bag and pad. Sunlight at higher elevations during the ride Aid Stations will be located approximately every 15-20 can also be particularly intense. All cyclists should wear miles along the route. At each aid station you will find the sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Sunscreen is each cyclist’s following: responsibility and is not guaranteed to be provided by Ride The Rockies. • Amazing volunteers • Bike mechanics • Portapotties • Hydration

23 BIKE MECHANICS Before, during, and after each stage of Ride The Rockies, bike mechanics will be available to assist you if you have mechanical difficulties. However, each rider must carry and know how to use the basic equipment necessary to repair a SPECIAL DAY 3 LOGISTICS tire puncture. It’s also recommended that you carry a multi- TUESDAY, JUNE 16 tool. CORTEZ TO NORWOOD Bike mechanics will provide labor and basic repairs at no At just over 100 miles with approximately 6400 charge. But if your bike requires a more serious repair, or if feet of climbing, Day 3 is arguably the toughest day you need replacement parts, there will be a charge. Ride of the 2020 Ride The Rockies. For riders staying in The Rockies encourages you to get your bike tuned up hotels in Telluride or Mountain Village, you will have before the Tour. the option of riding the final 30 miles to the finish in Also note that the bike mechanics do not stop along the Norwood, leaving your bike in the secure bike corral, route, as it is frequently hard for them to find a safe place to and taking a shuttle back to your hotel. Or you may pull over. Instead, you will find them at select aid stations, skip those final miles to Norwood and stop your where they may be able to assist you depending on the ride closer to your hotel. nature of your mechanical issue. If you see one of the roving To serve riders who choose the latter option, Ride bike mechanics out on the course and need assistance, The Rockies will set up a bicycle corral at a strategic give them a “thumbs down” signal and they will call it in to location between Telluride and Mountain Village. the closest SAG vehicle who will provide support. There will be vans there to take riders from the Telluride Bicycle Corral to their hotels. The next morning, those vans will be on hand to drive riders MEDICAL SUPPORT back to the Telluride Bicycle Corral where you can Ride The Rockies has gone to great lengths to assure pick up your bike and start your Day 4 ride. your safety on this Tour. Stadium Medical will provide two Riders who are staying in Telluride or Mountain ambulances for emergency medical support on the route Village Hotels and do ride to the finish in Norwood each day. In addition, radio-equipped staff members will (which is strongly encouraged – it’s an amazing patrol the route, and volunteer staff of Riding Medics will be spot), will be shuttled from their hotel back to on course. In the event of an emergency, you can identify Norwood to start your ride the next morning. these Individuals by their special jerseys. Riding Medics are MD’s, RN’s or EMT’s and carry medical supplies provided by St. Anthony Hospital to assist injured riders. St. Anthony Hospital will also provide a medical station in each overnight town to assist with ride-related medical problems. Automatic external defibrillators for use both on the Tour route and in host communities are supplied by Zoll.

24 IN TOWN

DURANGO Cortez area is also a central location for other prominent visitor attractions, such as Monument Valley and the . Elevation 6,522 feet Wherever you explore, take time to look around at the Nestled in southwestern beautiful scenery. If byways could claim royal lineage, the Colorado’s Animas River Valley Scenic Byway, which passes through and surrounded by rugged Mancos and Dolores, would rule them all — and nearly all of peaks, Durango offers more that route is part of this year’s Ride The Rockies Tour. Mining than 300 miles of world- towns and alpine splendor await you on this stunning class mountain biking and journey across high mountain passes in the shadow of hiking within 30 minutes of impressive 14,000 foot peaks. To learn more please visit downtown. It’s no surprise www.cityofcortez.com, as well as www.shopcortez.com and then that Durango is rated www.mesaverdecountry.com. a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League NORWOOD of American Bicyclists and is home to many cycling celebrities, including the legendary Ned Overend and Elevation 7,011 feet Olympians Todd Wells and Travis Brown. Located just 30 miles west of Telluride, Norwood is one of Colorado’s best The includes the largest kept secrets. This small town on the wilderness area in Colorado – the Weminuche Wilderness state’s Western Slope has spectacular – and has hundreds of miles of singletrack, epic rock vistas of high mountains and climbing, and backcountry skiing, plus fly fishing and wild desert country, including boating on the gold medal waters of the Animas River, the La Sal Mountains to the which runs right through the center of this small city. West west, the Uncompahgre of Durango, discover the spectacular La Plata Canyon and Plateau to the north, the San its beautiful U-formation created by glaciers and populated Juan Mountains in the east, with abundant wildlife, wildflowers, high-alpine meadows, and to the south Norwood’s and avalanche gullies. own jewel, Lone Cone Peak. Meanwhile, Downtown Durango is on the National Register Rugged desert canyons etch of Historic Districts and overflows with historic hotels, the landscape in between, award-winning restaurants, art galleries, a railroad museum, which conspire to give the Norwood area an abundance and boutique shopping. To learn more, please visit www. of outdoor activities. Snowshoeing and cross-county skiing durango.org. are popular in the winter. Hunting in the fall is a separate economy. Horseback riding is abundant, and there are numerous opportunities for fly-fishing or ice fishing on CORTEZ nearby Miramonte Reservoir. Norwood is also the first International Dark-Sky Association Elevation 6,191 feet “Dark Sky Community” on the Western Slope of Colorado Located in southwest Colorado, Cortez and the second Dark Sky Community in Colorado. (The and all of Mesa Verde Country, which other town is Silver Cliff). Norwood is now part of 22 also includes Dolores and Mancos, International Dark Sky Communities around the world, 15 provide accommodations, of which are in the US. Stargazing and locating the Milky dining, outdoor fun, and Way will be no problem when you are here. On your way visitor services. Nearby Mesa here, you’ll enjoy great views of the San Miguel River and Verde National Park is one red rocked rimmed San Miguel River Canyon. And at of the nation’s first World the bottom of the canyon, you’ll climb for two miles up Heritage sites and the largest the 8% grade of Norwood Hill. Soon after reaching the archaeological preserve in the summit, prepare to be awed by the sight of 12,700-foot country, while the Phil’s World Lone Cone Mountain. To learn more, please visit www. trail system is a Mecca for thrill norwoodcolorado.com. seeking mountain bikers. The

25 OURAY COUNTY

Elevation 6,800 feet Ride the Rockies host towns Ridgway and Ouray are situated against a spectacular mountain backdrop in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. Ridgway is a quiet western town with charismatic energy. Founded in 1890 as the headquarters of the world famous Rio Grande Southern narrow gauge railroad, serving the area’s rich silver and gold mines, Additional Bag Tag ranches, and farms. Today, local museums and events preserve the history of the now defunct railroad and the As noted, your camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, heritage of traditional ranching lifestyles. etc.) is part of your 70-pound baggage limit. If you feel that you need 2 bags, you may purchase an additional luggage Ridgeway is also home to Billings Artworks, whose claim tag for $30. This purchase must be completed before to fame is handcrafting the trophies handed out at the June 13. annual Grammy Awards. You’ll also find the jail wagon that John Wayne brought back from the Indian Territories in the Each day during the Tour there are three baggage trucks: famed Western movie True Grit. That wagon now sits in the early, middle, and late. The early and middle trucks leave front yard of the Ouray County Ranch History Museum, a when they are full. The late truck leaves that day’s host building that was originally the Old Rio Grande Southern community at 9 a.m. sharp. Riders may drop off bags Railroad Depot. starting at 5:30 a.m. and are responsible for loading their own bag onto the truck. Afternoon pick-up will be located Just to the north is Ridgeway State Park, which was at the designated baggage area at event HQ in the next created with the Ridgway Reservoir at its heart. It offers town. Please note that Ride The Rockies baggage service breathtaking scenery, campgrounds with modern does not coordinate with Summit Cycle Solutions for amenities, and playgrounds for kids young and old. baggage pick-ups/drop-offs at hotels. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, windsurfing, standup paddle boarding, picnicking, and swimming. Summit Cycle Solutions Baggage Transfer Meanwhile, at the southern end of the county is the town Summit Cycle Solutions provides luggage transportation of Ouray, which is known as the Switzerland of America to and from hotels each day. Customers who book a full thanks to its spectacular setting at the base of the week of lodging with Summit Cycle Solutions are eligible magnificent San Juan Mountains, which includes Mount for one discounted bag transfer service ($119 for the Tour). Abrams to the south and the awe inspiring Amphitheater Customers may purchase additional bags as desired to the east. Of course taking a dip in one of the many hot ($139). If you do not book lodging through Summit Cycle springs in Ouray County is a must. Indeed, it’s the perfect Solutions, but still want your luggage transported to/from a elixir after a long day on the bike. To learn more, please visit hotel, you may purchase Non-SCS luggage transport service www.ridgwaycolorado.com and www.ouraycolorado.com. ($164).

Summit Cycle Solutions Day Bag Service BAGGAGE TRANSPORTATION Summit Cycle Solutions also provides “day bag” service for Ride The Rockies will transport one bag per cyclist (max riders who want a change of clothes at the end of each ride weight 70 pounds) throughout the Tour, moving it from before going to their hotel ($56 for the Tour). Participants event HQ to event HQ in each of the town’s we visit. may leave this customized day bag provided by SCS at the However, Ride The Rockies does not transport luggage to SCS tent, OR with their luggage each morning. The day bag outside lodging, such as hotels. The idea luggage is a non- will then be routed to the finish in the next town. framed waterproof durable duffel bag. Trash bags are not allowed, as they are hard to maneuver and dangerous for our baggage staff to load. Along with clothing for the week, you luggage allowance weight includes your tent and sleeping bag (if camping). Also note that no bike boxes or cases are allowed on the baggage trucks. These must be stored at the start city in Durango for pick-up at the end of the Tour.

26 BIKE CORRAL SOCIAL MEDIA At the end of each day please bring your bike to the RTR2020 Facebook Group: Join the RTR20 Facebook Bike Corral located at event HQ. Each town will have Group. This group is a private group for RTR20 cyclists, a Bike Corral with paid security staff keeping 24-hour volunteers, partners and communities. This is an place to watch. Security will ensure that the tag number on your ask questions, share information, find people from your bike matches the number on your wristband. This is area, etc. It allows you to connect with each other before the only way you will be allowed to remove your bike the ride! Click here to join. from the Bike Corral. Repeat: No one will be allowed to The Solo Rider Club is set up at Ride The Rockies to remove a bike from the Bike Corral without matching connect cyclists that are traveling on their own to the event. those two numbers. As an additional security measure, It provides an opportunity to meet people for meals or find we recommend that you bring a lock for use at other a compatible riding partners. To help facilitate this RTR locations, such as convenience stores and restaurants. does the following: • Solo Rider Club Facebook Group - this is only for people traveling on their own. • Feather banners with the SRC logo will be set up at the Community Gathering Tent to highlight the SRC reserved area • Each morning the SRC Feather Banner will be sent up to identify the meeting location for SRC riders to meet Join the SRC Facebook Group

MERCHANDISE

Order your merchandise today and have it ready for you with your Credential Packet! It is easy – simply go to bikereg.com/rtr20 and order your items! Merchandise will also be sold onsite everyday during Ride The Rockies.

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4 TEAMS

2020 TEAMS There are many reasons to join a team: you are traveling from a faraway state and want to be part of group; you believe in their mission and want to help; or you just like the benefits offered. Whatever the reason there are options for you. Check out some of these Podium and Paceline teams that are accepting members for the 2020 Ride The Rockies. The requirements vary for each team as do the benefits but it is worth considering!

PODIUM TEAMS The Davis Phinney Foundation helps people with Parkinson’s live well today, changing what it means to live with Parkinson’s by moving people to action. DPF funds innovative research, creates tools and resources and connects people to information that enables them to improve their quality of life. Have the best week of your year with Team DPF at RTR! We are a team of about 30 riders, suppported by a SAG over $3,000. crew of the cheeriest and technically prepared volunteers and staff of the Davis Phinney Foundation. We ride at We are a community of fun, caring individuals that love to varying levels and speeds, but we ride hard and fundraise ride bikes! We also have a mission of raising both awareness $2500 or more for the Davis Phinney Foundation to help and money for those experiencing homelessness, hence people with Parkinson’s live well today. Join us for a week the name Team Samaritan House. We have a meetup. of camaraderie, encouragement and the depth of doing it com website – Team Samaritan House. Come join us on a all for a meaningful cause. (All registration fees and travel training ride! For more information, contact Tom Schwein expenses are your own responsibility.) via email or at 303-591-7020. To join the Davis Phinney Foundation Team, please call Lauren Kehn, [email protected] Flexential, a 2020 Ride the Rockies Sponsor, helps organizations optimize their Team Samaritan House (TSH) has been our journey of IT transformation largest collaborative team partner over the while simultaneously balancing cost, scalability, compliance past 7 years. TSH raises both money and and security. The company is committed to building awareness in service to those experiencing trusted relationships and delivering tailored solutions homelessness on Colorado’s Front Range. that suit the individual needs of its customers. Utilizing Over the past 8 years, they have raised over $1,000,000 for its people, values and reliable performance, Flexential is Samaritan House and other shelters operated by Catholic deeply invested in the success of its 4,200+ customers, who Charities. trust it to deliver core data center solutions of colocation Team Samaritan House welcomes new riders to join us in and connectivity, as well as cloud, managed solutions and 2020. We purchase your kit for Ride the Rockies including professional services. Flexential’s robust suite of assets span two jerseys, a light rain jacket, and shorts. We ask all riders 21 domestic and international markets and comprises 41 to raise at least $1,500 for the Samaritan House, a homeless highly redundant and connectivity-rich data centers. For shelter in downtown Denver. We provide team members more information on Flexential, please visit www.flexential. with their own personalized website and all the marketing com. (Please note that Flexential is not accepting new materials you may need. Last year the average rider raised members to the team)

28 PACELINE TEAMS to have formed a Paceline Team for 2019 and are looking forward to this year’s fantastic loop. We gladly welcome The Adaptive Sports Center enhances new members and would love to have you ride with us on the quality of life of people with Ride the Rockies and/or anytime in the Boulder area. Learn disabilities through year-round outdoor more about the Club or JOIN us at Bouldercyclingclub.org. adventure activities. Programs include an array of winter and summer sports based in Crested Butte and special events throughout Team Fou de Montagnes – Team Fou de Montagnes Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Every year, a is made up of friends and riders spanning young and group of cyclists participate in Ride The Rockies, a world- ‘seasoned’ mostly from Washington DC area. We hope to famous bike tour through Colorado’s mountains. Anyone contribute to the great spirit of the Ride The Rockies and that is looking for the ultimate cycling adventure please make new friends along the way! join the ASC Team. If you are interested in joining the ASC Team please contact Elizabeth Philbin at elizabeth@ Mountain Goats – Family and friends that love cycling! adaptivesports.org We’ve been riding RTR together every year since 2011. Boulder Cycling Club is a non-profit, Wish for Wheels gives the gift of a brand new bicycle and recreational cycling club lucky helmet to low income children (grades k-2). For most, enough to be located in Boulder, this is their very first time even riding a bike. Their mission, CO—home of many great riders and to transform the lives of kids from low-income families, an abundance of beautiful and classic broadening their scope for personal growth and a healthy biking routes. Founded by and run solely by volunteers, lifestyle through the gift of a new bicycle, is accomplished BCC has consistently grown over the years and now thanks to the generous partnerships they form with local boasts over members. The Club’s mission is to provide businesses and corporations to host customized team safe cycling opportunities for all enthusiastic riders while, building experiences. Partners build the bicycles and have at the same time, improving their riding skills and fitness the honor of leading the give directly. levels. Beginning each Spring, BCC has weekly road rides on Tuesday nights from Boulder Beer (our most popular Wish for Wheels was the 2nd largest ride…imagine that!), Saturday morning event preparation/ team on RTR in 2019. We started training rides, and Sunday morning rides ending in coffee. the cycling club to help support the In addition, we have monthly “Sunday Rolls”–bike path or non-profit. We are up to 240 club trail rides for recreational riders, “Epic Rides”–such as Trail members. RTR Wish for Wheels Team Ridge Road, Peak to Peak, or a mountain pass, and both members have to be a Wish for Wheels $325 level Member mountain biking and gravel rides throughout the season. and make a $50 donation on our web site under the Not to mention our annual four day trip to Moab which Wish for Wheels Link. Contact Sharon Madison if you are always sells out! interested in becoming a part of this great team! Long time participants in Ride the Rockies, we are pleased

29 PELOTON TEAMS – (4 OR MORE MEMBERS)

4Fun COGNatives OCD – Obsessive Cycling Disorder Adventure Seekers Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives Piedmont Peddlers Air Force Davis Horn SaddleUp Banana Eaten by Cannibals Team Buzzards Bay Biker Chicks and a Man Eissbike Team Evergreen Blank Stare El Grupo Youth Cycling Team Live Oak Boulder Orthopedics Good Friends Team Suncor Bourselina InPwr Time in the Saddle Chain Gang Kathi’s Crew USGS & Friends Chamber Chainring Champions Meadow Mountain World Bicycle Relief Club Pedales Mills Noone

LEAVE NO TRACE Wrappers: With the help of a local nonprofit in each community, Ride The Rockies will recycle food wrappers With more than 2,000 riders on a six-day bike tour, it’s not from Skratch Labs, Honey Stinger, SANS Meal Bars, and always easy being Green. But to reduce our impact on the other products. These wrappers will be sent to TerraCycle, environment, in 2012 Ride The Rockies created the hugely which recycle them into new products, as well as sending successful Tread Lightly initiatives. Not only did we satisfy funds to the local nonprofit that collects the wrappers. our own desire to “do the right thing” but we set a positive example for the other bike events around the country. Now in our 35th year, Ride The Rockies continues to strive to How You Can Help do our part for the planet, challenging ourselves to further Put your waste in the right place! Please make sure you decrease waste sent to landfills, while increasing recycling are putting your wrappers and other refuse in the right and composting. receptacle, be it Landfill, Recycle, Compost, Bike Tubes, or Wrappers! It is so important that that you take a moment to properly sort your waste at one of the many waste stations. In addition we will be implementing the following Also try to reduce and reuse. Consider packing a reusable programs: plate and utensils, and use your water bottle even after your Recycling Bike Tubes: Ride The Rockies will be collecting ride instead of reaching for a plastic cup. your used tubes throughout the Tour. These tubes will then be made into bike bags by Ecological Design and sold at the 2021 Ride The Rockies.

30 June 12-13,, 2020

hentic AN AdVeNtUrEAut Authentic in the Colorado ADVENTURE Rocky Mountains in the rocky mountains

durango to pagosa springs - 62 Or 79 Miles/3,470’ Or 4,750’ Approximate Elevation Gain

Authentic AdVeNtUrEnt ky mou ain oc in the r

Be part of a 5 Star Experience to benefit the Denver Post Community Foundation Immerse yourself in the western heritage of Colorado Experience exquisite meals including 2 dinners and 3 breakfasts Stay in Historic Lodging at The Strater Hotel and The Rochester Hotel Enjoy a fully supported ride that ends with a catered lunch and a luxurious hot spring Ride and dine among world class athletes including Mara Abbott & Mari Holden Join for all or part of the Prologue Experience

Limited Space available for The Prologue Experience - ridetherockies.com

31 RIDE THE ROCKIES VOLUNTEERS We can’t thank our volunteers enough! They are a key part of the engine that drives Ride The Rockies year after year. All together, we work with more than 500 volunteers — community volunteers brimming with local knowledge and enthusiasm; ride medics and ride officials who help keep you safe; the traveling Volunteer Crew who work tirelessly throughout the Tour; and volunteers who come into the office to help us prepare for the Tour. Thank you to all these dedicated and supportive people. We couldn’t do it without you! Join the Ride The Rockies Traveling Crew Ride The Rockies travels with a core group of volunteers who help make the tour a success. The RTR Traveling Crew safe experience for all. If you are interested in joining the is a unique group; some of our most dedicated volunteers Ride Medic team, you can find more information and a started only a few years ago, and others have more than 25 link to fill out an application at www.ridetherockies.com/ years under their belts! riding-medic. Medical Director John Nichols will review all If this sounds interesting, there are still opportunities to applicants. join the 2020 Volunteer Crew on the route and at Tour headquarters. It’s a great way for a family member that does not want to ride the event to join the adventure and RIDE OFFICIALS travel with the Tour! Benefits of volunteering include: Ride Officials are a group of riders who look out for the safety of others on the route. The most important • Lodging throughout the week (shared with a responsibility is to demonstrate safe and correct cycling roommate) throughout your ride. If you are interested in becoming a • Small daily stipend to cover meals Ride Official, you can find more information and fill out • Custom selection of RTR-branded Crew clothing an application at www.ridetherockies.com/volunteers. Ian • Detailed training for your position Monk, long time rider and volunteer, heads up the Ride Official program. • A fuel card to use during the Tour • A beautiful way to explore Colorado (off your bike!) Interested parties can find more information, including position descriptions and application details online at www. ONE DAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ridetherockies.com/volunteers. For more information on Interested in helping out but can’t commit for the entire any volunteer opportunities please email rtr@denverpost. event? There are still opportunities for you! com or call 303-954-6700. Aid Station Crew: Recruit your non-profit or group to work an aid station on the route. Your group will help with set- up, serving pre-packaged foods to cyclists, slicing and RIDE MEDICS serving fruit, maintaining hydration stations, and ensuring safety and flow of aid station. Course Marshal: Have an active role on the route by guiding cyclists about upcoming turns, hazards and route direction. Community HQ Volunteers: if you are a local in one of our host communities, we would love your help at event HQ! Locals know where to get the best burger, beer, and coffee! Positions available at each HQ include: • Baggage Crew • Bicycle Corral • Community Information Tent • Green Team • Floating Volunteers • Registration (in Durango on June 13) Ride Medics are a group of health care providers who volunteer their time and expertise as ride participants For more information on any volunteer opportunities please rendering aid as needed. This group works in conjunction email [email protected] or call 303-954-6700 with SAG vehicles, Stadium Medical ambulances, and St. Anthony’s Hospital to ensure Ride The Rockies is a

32 OUR PARTNERS

Ride the Rockies would not be possible with the support and contributions of our sponsors, bike technicians and partners. We would like to recognize Flexential as the presenting sponsor of Ride The Rockies. Please support all of our Tour partners. They are an invaluable asset to our ride.

33 THE DENVER POST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Grant Program The Ride The Rockies Community Foundation Grant Program returns for its 21st consecutive year! We are excited to offer this program that’s designed to support nonprofit agencies that work to improve the lives of Coloradans in the towns hosting Ride The Rockies. This year, Ride The Rockies and The Denver Post Community Foundation will distribute one $3,000 grant to a deserving nonprofit in each 2020 host community.

The Grant Program funds nonprofit organizations that support recreation and/or youth education, with priority given to programs that incorporate cycling safety and bicycle use, and/or increase access for low-income participants through recreation and/or youth education. Since the program’s inception in 2001, over $650,000 has been granted to towns throughout Colorado. In late May, The Denver Post Community Foundation we will announce this year’s nonprofit grant recipients. TThe Denver Post Community During the Tour please join us each afternoon at the Foundation is the Gathering Tent to congratulate our grant recipients and community relations arm of present them with their $3,000 check. The Denver Post. Through a variety of events and programs – including Ride The Rockies – The Denver Post Community Traveling Silent Auction Foundation invests more than $7 million in local nonprofit In partnership with the Denver Post Community organizations and events each year via grants, sponsorship, Foundation, Ride The Rockies will be hosting a traveling in- kind advertising, signature events, and volunteerism. The silent auction throughout the 2020 Tour. The traveling Denver Post Community Foundation strives to improve and silent auction helps us raise money for non-profits who enrich the lives of those in our community, and all money do meaningful work across the state, in our RTR host raised is distributed to Colorado nonprofits in the areas of communities, and for those who contribute towards cycling arts, youth, education and basic human services. stewardship. Our philanthropic minded cyclists make this program possible each year and we look forward to making 2020 a huge success. Be sure to visit the auction tent, located at event HQ in each host community to check out the high-end array of items up for auction and available to our participants.

Two Wheels For Change Campaign The Two Wheels For Change Campaign will benefit the Denver Post Community Foundation and allows Ride The Rockies to support a diverse mix of charitable organizations (listed below) that provide cycling stewardship to those in need. We believe at Ride The Rockies that it is our responsibility as fellow cyclists to do our part in making cycling accessible to everyone, no matter what their life circumstances are.

34 Monies raised through this campaign assists us in providing Davis Phinney Foundation: complimentary entries and other support during the Tour. As an Olympic Bronze medalist and Those nonprofits are the Adaptive Sports Center, Bicycle Tour de France stage winner, Davis Colorado, and the Davis Phinney Foundation. Keep reading Phinney has celebrated the most to learn more about these amazing organizations. victories of any professional cyclist in U.S. history. From the late 1970′s until his retirement from pro racing in 1993, Davis accumulated a jaw-dropping 328 Adaptive Sports Center: wins. In 2000, after years of feeling not quite right, and The ASC is a full-fledged therapeutic an almost endless round of tests, Davis was diagnosed recreation program that operates with Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). Finally, the year-round, with adaptive activities years of battling constant fatigue, the mental fogginess, ranging from mountain biking and and the muscle cramping of bouts of sudden numbing skiing to ice climbing and kayaking. weakness had a name. Realizing that there are ways to Over 6,000 activities are provided annually to nearly 800 improve the quality of his day to day living, Davis started individuals who come to Crested Butte from all over the the Davis Phinney Foundation as a way to promote and U.S. and overseas each year. fund innovative research that demonstrates the effects and importance of exercise, speech, and other elements that Bicycle Colorado: are critical to quality of life. Davis continues to celebrate daily victories in his life and inspire others with his message Bicycle Colorado is a 501(c)3 nonprofit of optimism and encouragement to help people with based in Denver. Their mission is to lead Parkinson’s live well today and beyond. a passionate and growing movement that champions the interests of everyone who rides or wants to ride a bicycle in Colorado. For more than 25 years, they’ve used advocacy, education and passion to make Colorado one of the most bicycle-friendly states in the nation. They encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions and provide a voice for people who ride bicycles in Colorado. With the support of its members and numerous partnerships across the public and private sector, they’ve made significant strides in improving bicycling since 1992.

35 PEDAL THE PLAINS

SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2020

Celebrate all of Colorado and join us in September for Pedal The Plains in Southeastern Colorado.

Pedal The Plains (PTP) is the sister bike tour to Ride The Rockies and is also a signature event of The Denver Post Community Foundation. PTP is an initiative of The Denver Post and the State of Colorado. This annual cycling event began in 2012 and celebrates the agricultural roots and frontier heritage of the of Colorado. The ride creates an opportunity for cyclists from the Front Range and beyond to learn about farming and ranching, while experiencing the culture, history and landscape of Colorado’s high plains. The Tour incorporates interactive on-route experiences by staging rest stops on farms, posting educational points of interest and serving community meals composed of locally sourced food. In addition to farm fresh meals, entertainment will also include a beer garden and local flair from country bands to existing harvest festivals and county fairs. Host communities benefit economically through associated fundraising initiatives and the influx of riders and their families. Vehicles for economic gain include, but are not limited to, food and beverage sales, lodging, retail and entertainment. PTP is a 3 day tour (Friday through Sunday) that averages 50 to 70 miles per day. The event includes a family fun ride for novice cyclists and a century option for seasoned riders. The route is unique every year, highlighting different communities, based on requests for proposal and an internal selection process. Scheduled for September 11 – 13, 2020, this event is the end of the cycling season bash and garners the attention of many. Proceeds from Pedal The Plains benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation in support of Future Farmers of America and Colorado 4-H. Please visit www.pedaltheplains.com for more details!

36 Beyond Four Walls

Empowering your IT Journey and Ride the Rockies

Flexential offers flexible and essential IT infrastructure solutions to solve the most challenging demands. We take a consultative approach providing our customers with colocation, cloud, data protection, managed and professional services.

Proud sponsor of Ride the Rockies for the last 5 years.

www.flexential.com