The 2019 Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run is right around the corner on Feb 10. Are you ready?
This year’s 100k brings the return of Rowena Trail. A long 2-mile trail ascent that has been the highlight of the ride in year’s past. The crux of this ride spends the winter months shaded leaving it snow packed and likely icy for those who are up for the challenge. While Mother Nature has left Boulder County relatively high and dry of snow so far this season, perhaps Old Man Winter will rear his head and bring some fresh snow to elevate the difficulty of this part of the course.
In addition to Rowena Trail, the 100k course offers flat gravel roads, past scenic farms and mountains, before heading west into the hills. You will then wind up the smooth tarmac of Lefthand Canyon until you meet the Rowena Trail. Following your trek on the trail, you’ll plunge down mixed terrain into the City of Boulder. The passage through Boulder is UNTIMED and a great chance to recover before taking on 2 more climbs: Linden and Olde Stage. Then, it’s primarily downhill or flat for the final 20 miles into Lyons. It’s a helluva ride.
Not up for 100k, that’s ok, the Old Man Winter also offers a 50k Gravel Ride. This ride is a combination of fast pavement and rolling gravel roads. You’ll roll through Crane Hollow and other classic Boulder County mixed terrain. A road bike (with wide tires) or a cyclocross/gravel bike will be the best choice for this course. If you decide to do the 50k event, it will leave plenty of time to challenge yourself by signing up for the Run/Bike Combo and take on the 5.4 mile run before you ride the 50km course!
Not up for the challenge of a gravel ride in February. Join hundreds of other runners for this great 5.9 mile run on mixed terrain. Starting in Lyons, you’ll run through town and onto a smooth/packed trail in Bohn Park. You could encounter snow or gravel, depending on Old Man Winter’s plan for the day. Single track will take you to the Picture Rock Trail head. Then, the course follows the beautiful Old South St. Vrain Road along the creek and alongside red rock cliffs. 2.9 miles is the turn-around / aid station, then you follow the same course back to the after party. Cold Sufferfest beer and a hot meal from Cyclhops awaits you at the finish line! Be sure to keep an eye out for foam ‘snow flakes’ along the course – bring one back and you’ll get a prize!
2019 sees the addition of sponsor Sufferfest Beer. Other sponsors include Rapha, Otter Box, Moots, Shoes & Brews, Republic Cycles, Nuun, iKOR and more.
Want a preview of the course? Join Sufferfest Beer and Rapha Boulder for a ride this Sunday, January 20th.
Join us for a fun and free winter training ride taking on the OMWinter climbs and local gravel around Boulder! There will be multiple groups so nobody will be left behind.
Come early and fuel up with nuun hydration, then celebrate a fun training session with free Sufferfest Beer Company beer back at the Rapha Boulder club house.
Check out the route and ride details on the Old Man Winter Facebook page hereÂ
This year’s 303cycling team will be represented by runners, Dana and Jen, and 100k Gravel Riders, Paul and Dan, first time gravel riders. Watch for their post event rundowns and what Dan and Paul thought of their 1st Gravel Ride.
In 2017, 303cycling team members, Khem and Erin, rode Old Man Winter. See what they had to say.
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