The 2012 USA PRO Cycling Challenge will pedal to Lizard Head Cycling’s home terrain to perch atop 10,222-foot Lizard Head Pass before descending to Telluride!

 

Colorado’s Bicycle Touring Company:

Colorado based Lizard Head Cycling Guides offers well crafted bike tour that rides ahead and intersects the USA PRO Cycling Challenge race coming to Colorado in August 2012.  We know the state’s least traveled side roads, where to stay and even how to find the best malt shops & micro-brews.  Join Us!

Info Request / Newsletter Sign Up

Saturday August 18th thru Sunday August 26th, 2012

7 days/ 8 nights

up to 450 miles

As of May 7th: 4 spots remain

                Riding through Rocky Mt. National Park: USA Pro Cycling Challenge

 

Logistics:
USA Cycling Race: Colorado Bike Tour

“Cycling is one of the only sports that explores and showcases the world around us.  There are no stadiums to restrict spectators and no roofs to shield its athletes from the elements.  Its arena is landscape-and landscape revels its true secrets from the heavens.  The Colorado Rockies are about as close to heaven as one can climb North America” 

2012 Arrival Town: Grand Junction, Colorado on Saturday August 18th, 2012.  If flying to Denver, a guest shuttle may be available to Grand Junction.

2012 Departure Town: Denver, Colorado on Sunday August 26th, 2012

Tour Length: 8 days with 7 days of riding

Tour Size: up to 20 riders supported by two vehicles

Total Miles:  300 up to 500 total mileage options

Mileage Range: 25 to 138

Ability Level:  Although Lizard Head Cycling’s USA Cycling Tour of Colorado is challenging tour at altitude, intermediate cyclists with a positive attitude have enjoyed the tour.  A combination of car free roads, two support vehicles and plenty of climbing makes this tour well suited for intermediate to advanced cyclists.  In summary Lizard Head’s Tour of Colorado offers as much challenge one could want while offering lower mileage options for intermediate cyclists.

The 2012 tour cost is  $3,595-.   A deposit of $950- secures a spot (couples can reserve two spots with a $1250- deposit).  The final payment is due by June 5th, 2012.

The 2012 tour includes: A full 8-nights of excellent lodging (double occupancy), 6 days of meals (alcohol additional), shuttles, all taxes, guide service, entrance fees, energy food, a fresh lunch each day and mechanical support.  Two vehicles will support the 2012 tour.

Single Rooms: Add $795- single supplement based on availability.  If cyclist is willing to share room, there is no additional cost. 

Read reviews for this tour >>

Explore Colorado by Bike

The opportunity to ride hundreds of miles across Colorado mountain roads that are closed or will soon be close to vehicles is reason enough to join our USA Cycling Tour Colorado Bike Tour.  Add in the access to Pro racers, the excitement along the entire route (in 2011 the fans cheered for a pack of gutsy flat-landers from Ohio), the general good cheer that abounds and this could be the highlight tour of Colorado’s summer of 2012.

The 2011 event exceeded our expectations. In August 2011 Lizard Head Cycling rode along with the inaugural US Pro Cycling Challenge.  The crowds were electric, the closed roads meant little traffic and Lizard Head Cycling’s tour stayed in many of the same hotels as Pro Cycling teams such as LiquiGas, Radio Shack and Garmin Cervelo.

This event brought top racers to Colorado such as the Schleck brothers, Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, George Hincapie and race winner Levi Leipheimer.

Join us for 2012:

Lizard Head Cycling Guides’ 2012 tour will feature four stages in which we will be “chased by the peloton”.  What this means is that we will ride out in front of peloton (by several hours) along roads that are mostly closed to traffic.  The energy riding off the front of the peloton was palpable and proved a highlight of the 2011 tour.

Our 2012 tour will accommodate both riders who wish to ride from Point A to Point B with few stops and riders looking to enjoy ride at a more relaxed pace while enjoying a delicious lunch along the route.  Lizard Head Cycling’s celebrated 15 passenger van & custom trailer and a team car will support this tour.

 

2012 Registration Form

 

   The Lizard is Loose at 2011 Stage One Finish of the US Pro Cycling Challenge

Chased by the Peloton! Lizard Head Cycling’s tour provides cyclists the opportunity to ride three  full Pro Tour race stages that our heroes will be contesting for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge title.

Ride Difficulty: Our USA  Cycling Colorado Bike Tour is designed both for cyclists new to multi-day tours and for cyclists who possess previous long distance touring experience in rides such as Ride the Rockies and Cycle Oregon.

Both intermediate cyclists new to multi-day tours and serious 5,000-mile-a-year-hammer heads enjoyed the tour together in 2011. Easily accessible shuttle options, two support van and multiple aid stations allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy the USA Pro Cycling Ride of Colorado.

See How the Shuttle Works in the Tour Beta section below.

Let’s Ride!

“The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is the most demanding bike race ever held on American soil, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes, day after day. The race is on the level of the Tour de France, bringing the high speeds, danger and adrenaline of professional biking to elevations over two-miles high across some of the most picturesque terrain in the world—the Colorado Rocky Mountains.”  from the Colorado USA Pro Cycling Challenge website.

2012 Detailed Itinerary: USA Cycling Race: Colorado Bike Tour

Note: Profiles & maps will be added to this page in Feb 2012

Arrival Day: Saturday August 18th 

Fly to Grand Junction, Colorado on Saturday August 18th.  A 4pm shuttle from the Grand Junction airport to lodging at Gateway Canyons Resort will be offered. Relax in pool, spa, hot tub, & bed.  This is the lavish resort owned by John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel and is Day 1′s lodging on Lizard Head Cycling’s acclaimed Redrock Canyons Tour.

Day 0:  Gateway Canyons Resort through Dolores River Canyon (30 to 40 miles)

Enjoy a leisurely morning poolside at Gateway Canyons Resort.  After the tour meeting at 9am, cyclists will ride ensconced within the 1,000-foot Redrock walls of Dolores River Canyon (this is Day 2′s memorable morning ride of our Redrock Canyons Tour) for a 30 to 40-mile warm up ride.

After lunch on the beautiful San Miguel river (fly fisherman should cast a line) we’ll shuttle 2-hours to relax in the box canyon of Telluride for Sunday night dinner at The Sheridan Chop House.   Arriving the day prior to the pro peloton will allow cyclists to absorb the anticipation of the race arriving in town the following day.  Lodging is in the heart of Telluride at the Camel’s Garden Lodge.

 

Day 1: Telluride, Colorado to Lizard Head Pass (40 to 80 miles)

“The Home of the Great Green Lizard”.  From Telluride ride through the San Juan Mountains to Lizard Head Pass (10,222-feet) and greet the USA Pro Cycling Challenge pro peloton as they arrive high above the Telluride Valley.  Lizard Head Cycling Guides will host a hospitality tent party atop Lizard Head Pass.  Guests are own to enjoy dinner this evening in one of Telluride’s many fine establishments.

 

Day 2: Montrose to Crested Butte (105 miles)

Ride USA Pro Challenge race stage from Montrose to Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado ahead of the pro peloton (105 miles).  Cyclists will have a 3 to 4 hour head start each day on the Pros.  Lizard Head Cycling offers this stage and two others under its “Chased by the Peloton” format.  This is where cyclists start 2 to 3 hours in front of the Pro Peloton and see how long they can hold them off.  

Lodging is at the charming Inn at Crested Butte.  Dinner will be enjoyed on at  Lil’s Land & Sea in Crested Butte.

Day 3: Crested Butte to Aspen (138 monster miles): “Chased by the Peloton”

In its second year the Crested Butte to Aspen stage is already a classic.  Lizard Head Cycling offers this stage under its chased “Chased by the Peloton” format.

In the world of  bike touring 138-mile stages through the mountains are simply not offered to clients.  Since Lizard Head Cycling is not your typical touring company, we offer this stage in its entirety and in an abbreviated option. To complete this entire ride through the heart of the Colorado Rockies cyclists will have to leave early and ride at a consistent pace.  Shuttle vehicle support will be available if cyclists want or need to shorten this epic day of bike riding.  

We’ll start early in front of the Pro Peloton.   The first big climb of the day is 16-miles of packed dirt surface to 12,126′ Cottonwood Pass.  And no, you’re not seeing double on this day’s profile as you’ll also scale 12,095′ Independence Pass on the road to Aspen!  This stage is equal to the hardest stages the Tour de France offers.

Day 3′s ride represents the Queen stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge race; the longest stage with the most climbing.   The lofty summits of this stage will in all likelihood reveal the strongest rider and eventual winner of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge race across Colorado.

Aspen, the quintessential resort town of Colorado, has it all and with the race entourage staying in town this evening the atmosphere is sure to be electric. 

Lodging and dinner in Aspen will be shared with the Pro athletes at the Limelight Lodge in downtown Aspen.  As the newest hotel in town, the Limelight Lodge, is centrally located in Aspen’s incomparable outdoor red pave’ pedestrian malls with world class shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.  

 

View Quizno's Day 3: Crested Butte to Aspen in a larger map

Note: Click between the “earth”, “map” and “terrain” buttons for varying views. 

138 monster miles
9,025′ ascent
9,852′ descent

GOOGLE EARTH FLYOVER

Click here: Day 3 Route Flyover for a birds-eye view of the Day 3 Route in Google Earth. When the link opens click on “Download” or “Open”, then “Open” and the tour will start. If you don’t have Google Earth you can download it here: Download Google Earth

Day 3: Climb of Cottonwood Pass

 

 

 

Day 4: Aspen to Beaver Creek (58, 88, or full 102-mile stage options)

Ride race stage Aspen to Beaver Creek Chased by the Peloton (102-miles for the Pros) ahead of the pro peloton to either Leadville (58 miles),  Midturn (88) or Beaver Creek (102).  Yes this entails riding 12,000-foot Independence Pass from both directions in two days!  

From whatever ending location cyclists choose, Lizard Head Cycling will offer a 40 minute shuttle to Breckenridge’s Hyatt Main Street Station for a two nights stay. 

 

Day 5: Breckenridge, Colorado: Rest Day

Walk out the front door of your lodging at Hyatt’s Main Street Station to mingle with the pro peloton and watch the start of the Breckenridge to Colorado-Springs race stage.  Cyclists can opt to ride up Hoosier Pass (11,500-feet) to watch the pros, a swim in a bone chillng alpine tarn (a bucket list item), or enjoy a massage, this is a day off.  Guests are on their own to enjoy dinner this evening in Breckenridge.  

Fun & Games on the Road

 

Day 6: Rocky Mtn. National Park to Boulder,Colorado: (96 miles of Rocky Mountain High!)

On the final day of riding on Lizard Head Cycling’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge we’ll depart early via shuttle to Grand Lake, CO.  From Grand Lake cyclists will ride one of the most stunning roads in North America, Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Rocky Mountain National Park is a memorable cycling experience that Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to once again offer as the final ride of its USA PRO Cycling Challenge Tour.   48-mile Trail Ridge is the highest continuously paved road in North America featuring 11-miles above 11,000-feet and a maximum elevation of 12,183-feet.   Here you literally feel “On Top of the World”!  The snow melt trickling down nooks and crannies all around you are the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River.   Native Americans used this route as a path across the Colorado Rockies.  The paved road which opened in 1920 represents a literal highlight of Lizard Head Cycling’s Tour of Colorado Tour.

After the descent from Rocky Mountain National Park cyclists will reach Estes Park, CO and head south for 30 miles on yet another Colorado cycling gem, the Peak-to-Peak Highway.  Dominated by views of Long’s Peak (14,259′) and Mount Meeker (13,911), this Designated Scenic Byway offers some of the state’s most bracing scenery.  We finish this epic day, this epic tour, fittingly with a long, twisting plunge down Left Hand Canyon to the bike crazed mecca of Boulder, CO.  The total descent on this stage is 11,000-feet!

On this day the Pros race from Golden to Boulder.  Cyclists will have the chance to arrive in Boulder for the finish or to intercept the race before its decent of Left Hand Canyon.  After arriving in Boulder we’ll settle into the Marriott Courtyard Boulder before heading out onto the festive Boulder pedestrian plaza for a  fair-well dinner at The Kitchen. 

The next day Sunday cyclists can choose to fly out in the morning or opt to witness the final time trial of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in downtown Denver and then fly out in the late afternoon or evening.  

View Quizno's Day 6: Grand Lake/RM Nat Park/Boulder in a larger map

Note: Click between the “earth”, “map” and “terrain” buttons for varying views.

96 miles
8,675′ ascent
11,140′ descent

GOOGLE EARTH FLYOVER

Click here: Day 6 Route Flyover for a birds-eye view of the Day 6 Route in Google Earth. When the link opens click on “Download” or “Open”, then “Open” and the tour will start. If you don’t have Google Earth you can download it here: Download Google Earth

Day 7: Departure Day: Sunday August 26th

Fly out in the morning or go downtown for the final time trial in Denver and fly out in the afternoon.

 

2012 Tour Beta:

• 2012 Lodging: (8 nights included)
  Day 0: Gateway Canyons Resort: Gateway Colorado 
  Day 1 & 2:Camel’s Garden Lodge: Telluride, Colorado
  Day  3: Inn at Crested Butte: Crested Butte, Colorado
  Day 4: Limelight Lodge: Aspen, Colorado
  Day 5 & 6: Hyatt’s Main Street Station:  Breckenridge, Colorado
  Day 7:  Marriott Courtyard Boulder: Boulder, Colorado

• Tour Riders: 6 to 20

• 2012 Tour Cost:
  The inclusive cost of $3,595- includes eight nights lodging (double occupancy), seven days of dining (5 dinners, 5 breakfasts & 7 lunches), all taxes, entrance fees, lunch on the route, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, guide service, and mechanical support.
             * $795- single supplement by special request
              * Alcoholic beverages are additional

 

• How the Shuttle and Mileage Options Work:
  Lizard Head Cycling’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge Tour is designed to offer cyclists a significant challenge while at the same time providing easily accessible mileage options for cyclists of varying fitness levels. This system works with a support vehicle that jumps ahead rather then “sags” to set up aid stations along the route.Cyclists customize their experience by choosing to start each day’s ride from the hotel, or the first aid station, or after the day’s big hill.As an example if a cyclists cuts off 25 miles each day, the 475 mile Ride of Colorado Tour’s distance is cut to 300 miles over 7 days (43 miles per day).

 

• Will Colorado’s High Altitudes effect me?
  Yes everyone rides slower at altitude.  The key to enjoying the high mountains is restful sleep at day’s end.Diamox is a drug used as a means to prevent altitude sickness and shortness of breath for mountain climbers.  Previous Lizard Head Cycling clients have used it with success for the USA Pro CC.  One would start using Diamox shortly prior to the tour or when symptoms develop. It can be discontinued at any time. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6753-Diamox+Oral.aspx?drugid=6753&drugname=Diamox+Oral.Most of the riding on the Tour of Colorado takes place between 8K and 9,500K with forays over the highest passes to 11K and 12K. The sleeping takes place at 8K to 9K. The important thing is to sleep well, Diamox helps.

 

• 2011 UCI Pro teams included:  Radioshack, BMC Racing, Leopard Trek, HTC-Highroad, Garmin-Cervelo and Liquigas-Cannondale. Confirmed UCI Continental teams include UnitedHealthcare, Team Type 1, Skil-Shimano and Spidertech.
  

Read reviews for this tour >>