a.k.a “Victorian Brothels and Brews” 

Summer 2012 Bike Tour Dates

 

                                       Lizard Head Peak from Lizard Head Pass

 

Colorado Bike Tour Overview:

Victorian Hotels of the San Juans

6-Days (6 nights lodging)

Location: San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado

Highlights: Black Canyon National Park (America’s Newest National Park),  The San Juan Sky-Way, The Unaweep/Tabaguache Scenic By-Way , the Million Dollar Highway and the simply amazing Dolores River Canyon (Colorado’s least known & most spectacular road).

Meeting/ Ending Town: Grand Junction, Colorado

Total Miles: 250 up to 375-plus mileage options

Average Standard Daily Mileage: 50 miles

Mileage Range: 25 to 105

Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced cyclists.  This tour is obtainable for the weekend cyclist who is comfortable on a bike & looking for a challenge.

2012 Tour Cost: $2,595-

Single Room Supplement: $645-

Tour Includes:  A full six nights of lodging, dining, taxes, entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, guide service, and mechanical support.

Rental Bikes: Specialized Carbon Roubaix Elite bicycles are available for $40/day.

Bike Shipping: Lizard Head Cycling coordinates bike shipping & assembly through our partner shop in Grand Junction, Colorado, The Bike Shop. 

Tour Registration Form

 

Info Request / Newsletter Sign Up

 

Tour Route of Victorian Hotels of the San Juans

View Victorian Hotels Tour: Full Route in a larger map

 

Elegant 19th Century Victorian Hotels, Micro-Breweries & The Black Canyon National Park (America’s newest National Park)

Our Victorian Hotels of the San Juans Tour (a.k.a Victorian Brothels & Brews)  brings together one-of-kind 19th century Victorian Hotels (some with a questionable past), Colorado micro-breweries, multiple Scenic By-Ways and the Black Canyon National Park for a Colorado bike tour in the San Juan Mountains.

Go ahead, harken back to 1880′s and transform yourself to a time when Victorian opulence like this was reserved for the rich and famous, you’re entitled.

In the late 19th century the tiny mining towns of  Ouray, Durango and Telluride, Colorado were remote outposts of civilization.  Each town felt they needed a landmark hotel to attract investors and to put their town on the map.  In recent years these historic Victorian-Era hotels have seen major renovations and provide an entertaining end to each day of cycling in the cool Colorado high country.

Colorado Micro-Breweries

If you are considering Colorado bike tours, our Victorian Hotels of the San Juans is a well crafted tour. It features entertainment each night in towns where old time saloons and Colorado Micro-Breweries abound.  Enjoy beer tastings and excellent hospitality as you bike tour across the San Juan Sky-Way and Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic By-Ways

Over the Top!

On the final two nights of the Victorian Hotels Tour 19th century elegance is exchanged for the ultra modern 21st luxury of the Gateway Canyons Resort.  There are few places in the world that can provide an experience and location such Gateway Canyons Resort, it has to be seen to be believed.  Come see for yourself.

            

What is the Riding Like?

The Victorian Hotels tour climbs Colorado’s alpine cols (aka passes), sweeps across wildflower studded meadows and then descend into valleys each afternoon to relax in historic hotels.  These mountainous roads see limited traffic and offer a truly world class cycling destination.

Am I in Good Enough Shape to Ride the Tour?

A year after the Victorian Hotels was offered as a popular custom tour, it is now offered as a full fledged tour for 2012.  It is designed for intermediate to advanced cyclists and offers plenty of challenge while pedaling from the high San Juan Mountains to the deserts of Redrock Canyon Country.

Seamless Mileage Options

Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options into each of its tours.  As such daily shuttle options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy the Victorian Hotels tour by customization of their mileage.  Lizard Head Cycling is well known for its ability to seamlessly integrate its guest’s individual mileage desires.

Cyclists new to multi-day tours and riders who possess previous long distance touring experience in rides such as Cycle Oregon or Ride the Rockies will enjoy the Victorian Hotels.  If you have questions about you ability to ride this tour, please contact us with your questions (info@lizardheadcyclingguides.com; 970.728.5891).

 

Day 1: Black Canyon National Park: 25 to 40 miles

Day 1′s ride into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of Colorado’s finest bike rides.  The tour starts at 6,580-feet and ascends 1,800-feet to an awe-inspiring rim top view of the Black Canyon’s 2,000-foot sheer drop to the Gunnison River.

Along the park’s rim top precipice the road rolls for 14 round-trip miles with seven overlooks featuring the oft photographed Painted Wall.  This is a road that invites multiple-stops for photography and quiet reflection.

A bonus ride option for today is the East Portal Road.  The East Portal plunges 1,700-feet in 7.5 miles through quartz & pegmatite rock outcroppings to the banks of

section with 16% grades, one of the steepest road ascents in Colorado.

Tonight lodging destination of Ouray, Colorado (7,811’) 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!

This evening lodging is in the historic Beaumont Hotel.

 

Day 2: Ouray to Durango, Colorado: 45 or 73 Mile Options

Day Two’s ride climbs three major alpine passes along the San Juan Sky Way from Ouray to Durango, Colorado: Red Mountain Pass (11,018’), Molas Pass (10,915’) and Coal Bank Pass (10,640’).

The high alpine views available while bike riding along the San Juan Sky Way are among the most impressive in the American West.  The entire road surface from Ouray to Durango was re-surfaced between the summers of 2009 and 2011 and as a result it is fantastic shape.  The ascents and descents are smooth and to be savored.

After topping out on Molas Pass cyclists enjoy a net descent to Durango, Colorado (6,512’) of 4,000-feet!  Durango is a lively western town with a historic narrow gauge railroad.  The town offers a large variety of quality dining experiences.

Tonight’s lodging is the landmark Strater Hotel on Durango’s main street.  The Strater’s Diamond Belle Saloon’s attractive bar room belles & old time piano player both adorned in 19th century period garb have proven to be a guest (and guide) favorite.

 

 

 

Day 3: Dolores to Telluride, Colorado: 64 miles

The cycling route along the Rio Dolores from Dolores (6,512’) to Telluride, Colorado (8,827’) follows the historic trail of the Dominguez/Escalante Expedition of 1776.  Dominguez and Escalante were Franciscan friars who led a party on horseback from Santa Fe, New Mexico through Colorado and Utah while searching for a viable route to Monterey, CA.  Although the expediation was hopelessly off course and never reached their destination, the expedition provided a valuable historic document like no other.  If you are a history buff, you will enjoy the journals of Dominguez/Escalante Expedition.

Day 3′s route ascends the Rio Dolores to its headwaters on Lizard Head Cycling Guides’ namesake Pass, Lizard Head Pass (10,222’).  Along the way cyclists enjoy a memorable river side lunch on the Rio Dolores.  Eagles and other raptures abound on the Dolores River.

Lizard Head Pass is surrounded by three 14,000 foot peaks and many high and mighty 13,000-foot peaks.  The climb of Lizard Head Pass represents an ascent of 3,500-feet over 40 miles.  From Lizard Head Pass there is a 24-mile net descent to Telluride, Colorado (8,750′ elevation).  Tonight’s lodging is in Telluride’s historic district at the historic New Sheridan Hotel.   This evening’s dinner at the New Sheridan Chop House is another guest and guide favorite.

 

Day 4: Layover Day in Telluride

Today cyclists enjoy a well deserved rest day in box canyon of Telluride, Colorado.  This is the home town of Lizard Head Cycling Guides and in our humble opinion, the highlight town of our Victorian Hotels Tour.

Ride the free gondola to explore Mt. Village, enjoy a massage, shop the funky historic district or simply sit on one of Telluride’s many park benches and watch the world go by.

Guests are on their own this evening to enjoy dinner from one of Telluride’s many fine dining establishments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5: Mountains to the Desert: Telluride to Gateway, Colorado: 105 miles or 55 mile option

The longest mileage day of the Victorian Hotels tour descends over 4,000-feet from Telluride (8,827′) to Gateway, Colorado at 4,550′ elevation!  This is an inspiring ride through the intimate confines of the San Miguel and Dolores River Canyons.  The Dolores river canyon has been called by previous Lizard Head Cycling guests as the “most beautiful ride ever”.  Come see for yourself! We believe it is the most spectacular and least known road rides in Colorado.

Tonight’s lodging at the Gateway Canyons Resort has to be seen to be believed.  It is another highlight of this fabulous tour.   There are few places in the world that can provide an experience and location such Gateway Canyons Resort.  John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel built the resort in 2005.  His love of Redrock Canyon country has created a destination that guests of Lizard Head Cycling Guides adore.   Read reviews from Gateway Canyons.

Day 6: Gateway to Gateway: 0 miles or optional ride of up to 45 miles into Unaweep Canyon

The final day of the Victorian Hotels tour can be spent lounging poolside, enjoying the 21st luxury of  Gateway Canyons Spa or pedaling up into the confines of yet another amazing geologic wonder, Unaweep Canyon.

Whatever activity or inactivity you choose, enjoy this final day of the tour.  Tonight’s lodging is once again at Gateway Canyons Resort.

Day 7: Departure Day

Early Saturday morning Lizard Head Cycling offers a shuttle for departing guests to the Grand Junction airport (55 miles). If guests are overcome by the raw beauty of Gateway Canyons Resort they may choose to extend their stay in Redrock Canyon Country.

Well Done!

Victorian Hotels Tour Beta:

• Meeting Location: On Day 1 cyclists meet the guides and support vehicle at 7:00am at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel on Horizon Drive in Grand Junction, Colorado.

• Ending Location: The tour ends with a shuttle from Gateway Canyons Resort to the Grand Junction airport on Saturday morning.

• Tour Size: 8 to 16 riders

• Lodging: 6 nights of lodging (subject to availability)
  
• Day 1: Beaumont Hotel: Ouray, Colorado
• Day 2: Strater Hotel: Durango, Colorado
• Day 3 & 4: New Sheridan Hotel or Camel’s Garden Hotel: Telluride, Colorado
• Day 5 & 6: Gateway Canyons Resort: Gateway Colorado

• 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.

• Ride Difficulty: The Victorian Hotels of the San Juans is rated as an intermediate to advanced tour.  A year after it was offered as a custom tour, Victorian Hotels is now a new tour for 2012!  Although it offers the challenge of climbing in the high mountains, the Victorian Hotels is suitable for lower intermediate riders along with advanced riders.  The tour offers easily assessable mileage options.  The Victorian Hotels tour is designed for cyclists both new to multi-day tours and also for riders who possess previous long distance touring experience in rides such as Cycle Oregon or Ride the Rockies.  This is a tour for cyclists looking for entertainment both on and off the bikes.

• Tour Support: The tour is supported by a van and trailer which carries all luggage and equipment.  A traveling masseuse can be available for massage each evening (ask about this option).

• 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, a 15 passenger van & trailer, provides a shuttle option from aid stations along the route.

• Daily Support Schedule: Support is offered every 15 miles.  Liquids, energy food & fruit are offered at each aid station.  Lunch on the trail includes fresh sandwiches, fruit, salad, soft drinks and liquids.

• 2012 Cost: The inclusive cost of $2,595- includes six nights lodging, most meals, taxes, entrance fees, lunch on the route, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, guide service, and mechanical support.
  * $645- single room supplement
  * Alcoholic beverages & guide gratuity are additional
  * A massage therapist travels with many of our tours to provide professional massage therapy each evening.  Cyclists pay the massage therapist directly.

• Elevations range from 4,500′ to 11,018′ (Red Mountain Pass)

• Please contact us with your questions.

**Reservations:

• Fill out this form, email it to info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com, and then call with you payment info.

All the best,
Lizard Head Cycling Guides
info@lizardheadcyclingguides.com
970.728.5891