Bike Tour Dates:

Colorado Bike Tour Overview:

Colorado Cols 7-Day

Tour Length: 6 days of riding with 1 rest day

Location: San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado

Meeting & Ending Town: Grand Junction, Colorado

Total Miles: 300 to 469 mileage options

Average Standard Daily Mileage: 73 miles

Mileage Range: 60 to 105

Ability Level: Upper Intermediate to Advanced Cyclists

2012 Cost: $2,595- The inclusive cost includes six nights lodging, six days of meals, all taxes, entrance fees, lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, guide service, and mechanical support.
* Alcoholic beverages are additional
* Single Rooms: $570- single supplement

                                   Riding on the Colorado Cols Road Bike Tour

The Colorado Cols Road Tour is a vehicle supported, inn-to-inn, road cycling tour through the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Cyclists climb Colorado’s alpine cols (aka passes), sweep across wildflower studded meadows and descend into valleys each afternoon to relax in historic hotels while savoring gourmet dining.

Highlights include Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Million Dollar Highway, Red Mountain Pass, the San Juan Skyway and the historic mining towns of Crested Butte, Creede, Pagosa Springs, Durango, and Ouray, Colorado.

Why Ride this Tour?

Lizard Head Cycling Guide’s Colorado Cols (CC-7) tour route highlights the most scenic and car free roads in Colorado’s high country.  The CC-7 tour is designed for both cyclists relatively new to multi-day tours and for riders who possess previous long distance touring experience in rides such as Cycle Oregon, Ride the Rockies and the European Alps.  There is so much great riding in this region that additional loops are available each day.  Let’s Ride!

Daily shuttle options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy the Colorado Cols Tour by customization of their mileage options.  See How the Shuttle works below Day 7′s description in Tour Beta.

If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office (info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com or 970.728.5891).

Day 1: Grand Junction to Leroux Creek (75 miles)

In a nut shell Day One’s route climbs 5,000 feet from the Colorado River to 10,000-foot high Grand Mesa and then descends 3,500 feet to the Gunnison river and the beautiful vineyards and peach groves of the Black Canyon Anglers Lodge or Leroux Creek Inn.

Although it is a long climb to open the tour, the grade is moderate, the views remarkable and the descent smooth and fast.  Overall this is  good opening day ride for a mountainous bike tour; not to hard, not to easy.   The long steady climb allows cyclists to gain a good rhythm before a ride across the top of the Grand Mesa and then a big descent towards the Gunnison River.

Tonight’s lodging is in the Black Canyon Anglers Lodge on the banks of the Gunnison River. Drawing adventurers from around the world the lodge is literally a destination in itself where cyclists will enjoy a full course home cooked meal featuring fine wine from the grapes grown in their private vineyard.

View Colorado Cols 7: Day 1 GJ to Leroux Creek in a larger map

75 miles
6,642′ ascent
6,020′ descent

 

Day 2: Crawford to Crested Butte, Colorado (96 miles)

Day Two’s “North Rim” ride is considered one of the better bike rides in Colorado. The route follows a back road that sees very little traffic while it passes through a rolling landscape below the West Elk Mountains to the north and to the south America’s newest National Park, Black Canyon National Park.  Minimal traffic and great mountain scenery make the road feel as if it is a ride through the Swiss countryside.

Near the end of the North Rim section of the ride cyclists descend to the rim of the Black Canyon for jaw dropping views into the abyss.  Upon intersecting Highway 50 cyclists pedal a relatively flat 20 miles (where strong tailwinds abound!) next to Blue Mesa Reservoir (Colorado’s largest body of water) through the Gunnison Gorge to Gunnison, Colorado.  From Gunnison the final 30 miles turn north and ascend a 1% to 2% grade to the alpine paradise of Crested Butte, Colorado.

 

View Larger Map

96 miles
4,429′ ascent
2,112′ descent

 

 

 

Day 3: The Cannibal Classic!  Crested Butte to Creede (132 miles)

The ride from Crested Butte to Creede (8,500’) is a Crested Butte local’s favorite known as the Cannibal Classic.  It is a test of manhood/womanhood for Crested Butte’s hard body locals.

The Cannibal Classic is so named due to the infamous Alfred Packer.  Packer was a miner in search of wealth who became snowbound on an ill fated journey into the San Juan Mountains in the late 1800′s.  Come spring Packer was the only remaining miner alive from his party of 12.  It seems Alfred didn’t even look that famished.  He had literally eaten his compatriots.  As a result this is definitely a stage in which one should avoid being dropped at all cost!

The start of the ride in Crested Butte, Colorado (9,000-feet) is surrounded by the Elk Mountains.   After a gradual 40-mile descent from Crested Butte through Gunnison and finally down to Blue Mesa Reservoir cyclists are tested by a  50-mile section with multiple ups and downs that saps the strength from one’s legs.  At approximately mile 90 cyclists are hit with one of the steepest paved mountain passes in Colorado, Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,530 feet). Slumgullion is a 6-mile climb that ascends nearly 3,000 feet; it feels particularly brutal coming at mile 90 of the Cannibal Classic.  Slumgullion’s grades average 7% to 9% and approach 10% during a 2-mile section.

At the top of Slumgullion Pass cyclists descend 4-miles and then climb 4-miles at a mere 4% grade to Spring Creek Pass and the Continental Divide (headwaters of the Rio Grande). From Spring Creek it is just about a 30-mile decent to Creede. If one has made the appropriate sacrifices to the wind gods, you may hardly even have to turn a pedal on the descent to the wild west town of Creede.

Having crossed over the Continental Divide today we’re presented with the opportunity to bed down next to another great American river, the Rio Grande.  At the Antlers Rio Grande Lodge you’re encouraged to wind down on your very own porch swing to the mesmerizing rhythms of the watercourse before you.

View Larger Map

 

132 miles
7,452′ ascent
7,510′ descent

Day 4: Creede to Pagosa Springs (64 miles)

Riding south from Creede cyclists are pedaling across the remote headwaters of Rio Grande watershed. This is a lush region bordered by the largest wilderness area in Colorado, the Weimuniche Wilderness.   By the end of the day after climbing the impressive Wolf Creek Pass (10,863’) cyclists will have climbed over the Continental Divide for the 2^nd time in two days.

The 4,000-foot descent from Wolf Creek to Pagosa Springs along the headwaters of the San Juan River is glorious!  We will be in close enough proximity to New Mexico to smell the fragrant green chile the state is famous for. Tonight we’ll dine on New Mexican home cooking and soak in the relaxing hot springs Pagosa Springs is renowned for at The Springs Resort & Spa.

View Colorado Cols 7: Day 4 Creede to Pagosa Springs in a larger map

64 miles
3,242′ ascent
4,611′ descent

Day 5: Layover in Pagosa Springs (0 miles)

On the layover day we’ll continue to soak in the hot springs, lounge along the banks of the San Juan River, enjoy a hike, horseback ride, hot air ballooning or even an out-and-back bike ride south towards New Mexico.

The healing powers of the hot mineral waters at Pagosa were known throughout the Native American tribes that inhabited the area long before the arrival of the white men. Today there are 23 different pools, ranging from 83 to 114 degrees F., terraced into the hillside overlooking the San Juan River. Enjoy, you’ve earned a true “rest day” at The Springs Resort & Spa.  Tonight guests are on their own for dinner to sample from one of Pagosa Spring’s many dining establishments.

Day 6: Pagosa Springs to Durango (60 miles)

After the rest day cyclists ride west through the rolling southern foothills of the San Juan Mountains. The route diverts north at Bayfield for a scenic stretch of road at the base of the Weinuche Wilderness area.  This is a day for the sprinters as there are no big passes to ascend on the route to Durango.

Day 6’s destination, the bike crazy town of Durango, Colorado (6,512’), is a western town that you will want to move to.  Durango has an amazing variety of food and music.  Tonight’s lodging is at the landmark Strater Hotel on Durango’s main street. Go ahead, harken back to 1887 and transform yourself to a time when Victorian opulence like this was reserved for the rich and famous, you’re entitled.

View Colorado Cols 7: Day 6 Pagosa Springs to Durango in a larger map

60 miles
2,891′ ascent
3,355′ descent

Day 7: Durango to Ouray (72 miles)

Durango, Colorado sits at the base of the San Juan Mountains (aka the American Alps). The San Juans are the youngest mountain range in Colorado (40 million years old) and as a result they are the steepest and highest range in the state with more land mass above 10,000 feet then anywhere south of Alaska!

The final day of the Colorado Cols road tour is the “Queen Stage”; the stage with the most climbing and greatest challenge. The route along the San Juan SkyWay presents three major cols; Coal Bank Pass (10,640’), Molas Pass (10,915’), and finally Red Mountain Pass (11,018’),

The entire road surface was re-surfaced between the summers of 2009 and 2011 and as a result is in fantastic shape.

After surviving the San Juan Skyway the tour finishes at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Cyclists shower and soak before the return shuttle to Grand Junction

Well Done!

View Colorado Cols 7: Day 7 Durango to Ouray in a larger map

72 miles
7,210′ ascent
6,203′ descent

Colorado Cols 7-Day Tour Beta:

• 2012 Cost: $2,595- The inclusive cost includes six nights lodging, seven days of meals, all taxes, entrance fees, lunch on the route, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, guide service, and mechanical support.
  * Alcoholic beverages & any guide gratuity are additional
  * Single Rooms: $570- single supplement

• Meeting Location: On Day 1 cyclists meet the guides and support vehicle at 7:00am at the Marriott on Horizon in Grand Junction, Colorado.  The Marriott offers an airport shuttle.

• Ending Location: The tour ends at the Marriott after Day 7’s ride and return shuttle.

• Tour Size: 6 to 18 riders

• Lodging: (subject to availability)
  Day 1: Black Canyon Anglers Lodge: Leroux Creek, Colorado
  Day 2: Island Acres Resort: Gunnison, Colorado
  Day 3: Antlers Lodge: Creede, Colorado
  Day 4 & 5: The Springs Resort & Spa: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
  Day 6: Strater Hotel: Durango, Colorado

• Pre and Post Tour Lodging: Riders are responsible for their own lodging for nights before and/or after the tour as needed at any Grand Junction area facility of their liking.

• Tour Months: The tour is offered during the months of June, July, & August

• Dining: Cyclists dine each evening at uniquely local dining establishments chosen by Lizard Head Cycling. All meals are included with the costs of the tour.

• Ride Difficulty: The Colorado Cols tour is rated as an upper intermediate to advanced cycling tour.  Both cyclists new to multi-day touring and advanced cyclists who pedal over 3,000-miles annually have enjoyed the Colorado Cols Tour.  The tour is similar to riding Ride the Rockies or Cycle Oregon.  Daily shuttle options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy the Colorado Cols tour through customization of their mileage options.  It is no big deal.We have discovered that many cyclists who worry themselves sick about not being able to keep up are surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing.  They do just fine.  If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact the Lizard Head Cycling office (970.728.5891 or Info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com).

• How the Shuttle Works: The Colorado Cols tour offers cyclists a challenge while at the same providing easily accessible mileage options for cyclists of varying fitness levels and desires.  Lizard Head Cycling’s tour leaders offer advice and provide cyclists with profiles of each day’s stage.  Cyclists customize their experience by reducing overall mileage and choosing to avoid or focus on climbing the big hills of any given day.  The system works through a support vehicle that jumps ahead rather then sags to set up aid stations.  This allows cyclists to linger at the back and then take a ten-mile, fifteen-mile or whatever mile “bump” forward to catch-up with or get ahead of the group.

• Tour Support: The tour is supported by a 15 passenger van and trailer which carries all luggage and equipment.

• The Daily Schedule: Cyclists ride at their own pace. Tour riders depart each morning as early as they choose and can use the support vehicle when they desire. The tour is designed to provide mileage options depending on cyclist’s fitness level and desire. The support vehicle provides a shuttle option from aid stations along the route. Plan to depart early each morning to allow time for siesta and swimming.

• Daily Support Schedule:
  20 to 25 mile mark: liquids, energy food, & fruit
  40 to 50 mile mark: lunch on the trail: fresh sandwiches, fruit, salad, & soft drinks
  75 mile mark: liquids, energy food, & fruit

• Daily Mileage and Evening Towns:
  Day 1: 75 miles to Black Canyon Lodge on Gunnison River
  Day 2: 83 miles to Gunnison, Colorado
  Day 3: 85 or 105 miles to Creede, Colorado
  Day 4: 64 miles to Pagosa Springs, Colorado
  Day 5: 0 miles (rest day)
  Day 6: 60 miles to Durango, Colorado
  Day 7: 72 miles to Ouray, Colorado

• Elevations range from 4,500′ (Grand Junction) to 11,530′ (Slumgullion Pass)