On Tuesday, June 12th, Ride the Rockies will be coming through Pagosa Springs, Colorado! It is a lot of fun to observe the tour as it passes through our area. From the events in town to following them riding up the pass. It is a big party at the summit! Don’t miss the excitement!
The Black Lillies are staying over from the Folk and Bluegrass Festival for a free concert in Town Park Tuesday afternoon/evening as part of Pagosa’s welcome for the Ride the Rockies Tour.
See The Black Lillies – “Smokestack Lady” Live at the Grand Ole Opry
The Denver Post Ride The Rockies is an annual bicycle tour that takes 2,000 cyclists, assisted by more than 100 volunteers, on a 6-7 day ride on paved roads through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains each June.
Ride The Rockies route is different each year, but always climbs a few challenging mountain passes and showcases the state’s spectacular scenery. Daily treks can be as short as 40 miles or as long as 100 miles, but generally average 60-70 miles.
While the tour route changes each year, the benefits and responsibilities of each host community remain the same. Benefits include publicity, positive economic impact, fund-raising opportunities and a grant provided to an eligible non-profit agency in each host town by The Denver Post Community Foundation. Cyclists in 2012 spent an average of $250,000 in a 24-hour period in each town and many cyclists will return as tourists at a later date. Host communities provide alternative lodging, inexpensive community meals, and entertainment.
Over 3,500 applications are expected for the 2,000 spots. Riders on past Ride The Rockies have represented all 50 states and 18 foreign countries. Ride The Rockies is a non-competitive event open to cyclists of all ages and participants are encouraged to ride at their own pace.
Proceeds from Ride The Rockies benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation. All funds raised are returned directly to Colorado nonprofits.
Town Park has entertainment, food and other goodies for the bikers as they come through Pagosa Springs.
One of those thousand word photos. Hope they told them to go the Great Pagosa for extra healing.
The Pagosa High School sports field becomes a colorful tent city.
In the nick of time! The Port-a-Potty beast is the first requirement, although, every other tree within miles seemed to have a volunteer irrigator.
We rarely see motorcycle mounted state troopers here in the outback. They do a big job for the tour helping with traffic and emergencies.
