Touring

What is Boulder Bike Tours

Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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Return after a seasonal break on highlighting cycling businesses in our 303 area. This week we are highlighting Boulder Bike Tours.

[303Cycling] What made you want to start Boulder Bike Tours

I got lured into the bike world kind of late in life by volunteering for BMA, the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. But once I was bitten by the bug I just loved being on two wheels. So the Tour company is an extension of that enjoyment and a way for me to turn people on to the local biking scene.

[303Cycling] What is the more popular bike route you take your clients on and who are your typical clients?

Most of our clients are visitors and tourists who come to Boulder for business or personal reasons. They want to sample the area riding without exceeding their skills, having to put together the equipment or find the best trails and road routes. Also most customers come from areas where mountainous terrain is not available so our most popular tours are ones on the beginner/intermediate trails near town. However we're seeing more demand for guided road rides which as we know Boulder has in abundance.

Colorado Bike Climbs - Belly Ache

Submitted by David on

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Photo Credit: John Summerson

Thanks to John Summerson for providing much of the content below from his great book The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike

Colorado is filled with great riding and with its multiple mountains contains plenty of high altitude and solid climbing as well. This month’s ascent certainly qualifies as it is one of the most difficult in the state. Located in the central part of the state a short distance west of Vail, Belly Ache is a bit isolated but I think most will find that the climb and scenery more than make up for the effort to get there.

Belly Ache
Total elevation - 2,066 ft Length - 5.2 miles
Average Grade - 7.5% (10%) Rating - 1.79 (cat 1)

You may get one on this challenging ascent just west of Vail. Solid grade from the start, the road makes a large semi-circle through an open hillside to begin the torture. Soon the grade eases as you pass a golf course and encounter a bit more congestion. The slope then increases again as you enter an area of homes and some evergreens. Quiet streets and a variable grade create pleasant climbing through this neighborhood stretch. Excellent views to the north and east appear near the top along with a stretch of challenging grade. The climb ends where the pavement and residences end. Belly Ache is a somewhat challenging descent as well.

Colorado Bike Maps

Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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Did you know that Colorado has a Scenic Bikeway Map? This map provides details of road shoulder width and expected traffic including truck traffic. This is a perfect tool for planning that next Colorado bike tour, whether it will just be a one day trip or weeks on end. The only thing really missing for the touring cyclist is campground information and their facilities but I'm sure that map exists as well.

Colorado Bike Map Links


The Scenic Map and Details
Additional smaller maps around the state
Download the Scenic Bikeway Map

For your next Colorado bike touring trip, you might also want to consider 1 of the MANY supported Colorado bike tours on our tours page, or if you want to plan this ride your self consider checking out our Colorado Climbs page highlighting some of the wonderful climbs in the state or consider buying the Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike in Colorado.

2011 Triple Bypass Changes

Submitted by David on

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Last year the Triple Bypass filled up in less than an hour. There were alot of great alternatives but the Triple Bypass is a classic Colorado event. For 2011 the registration process is very different and there are other riding options as well.

Here are some of the details along with a FAQ from the Team Evergreen website.

If you're one of those cyclists who itches and twitches at the thought of a big epic ride, we have an event for you! Do you have what it takes to cross three Colorado Rocky Mountain passes (Squaw, 11,140'; Loveland, 11,990'; Vail, 10,560') on one 122-mile lung-busting day? The traditional Triple, a 3,500 rider, point to point bike ride begins in Evergreen and finishes in Avon with over 10,600 feet of climbing along the way. Start training for 2011 now.

New in 2011, a Reverse and a Double Triple.

On January 7th we open the first ever "Triple Event" drawing. You will have the ability to enter a drawing for one of these three events:

  • The Triple Bypass (Saturday July 9th, 2011, Evergreen to Avon)
  • The Reverse Triple Bypass (Sunday July 10th, 2011, Avon to Evergreen)
  • The Double Triple Bypass (Saturday and Sunday, July 9th-10th, 2011, Evergreen to Avon to Evergreen)

FAQ list

Q1) The web announcement says we can pre-register before the Jan 7 drawing for the 2011 Triple. How do we do this?
A) The pre-registration (ability to enter the drawing) opens at 8am January 7th at this webpage: www.triplebypass.org. You will have several days to do this and it does not matter when in those days you pre-register. On January 18th we will notify everyone who entered a valid email address the results of the drawing. Shortly after that, drawing winners can go to Active.com to register for the Triple event for which they pre-registered.

Q2) Will all drawing entrants be notified whether they became eligible for an entry into the event of their choice?
A) Yes, everyone who submits a valid email address to the drawing will receive notification of their event status via email the morning of January 18th.

Q3) If I am selected, how much time do I have to register for the event of my choice? I did my first ride in 1992 and never dreamed it would get this big, result of having the best ride in the nation!
A) Thank you for your comment! If you are selected in the drawing, you will have a two day window in which to register for your event on Active.com.

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