Cyclists who win a spot in the 2014 tour this June will climb a cumulative in elevation, a little more than the , the world’s second-highest peak.
The route describes a 473-mile loop that begins June 8 in Boulder and ends June 13 in Golden via Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, Avon and Breckenridge.
“Cyclists will be tested right out of the gate,” said tour director Chandler Smith. “It’s one of the most aggressive days of climbing that we’ve seen.”
The first day sends cyclists up , repaired after damage from the September floods, and over the , the and That’s a total of 83 steep, demanding miles and an elevation gain of nearly 8,900 feet, nearly a third of the week’s climbing.
The second day, at 94 miles, is the longest, with riders on busy U.S. 40 charged with crossing (9,426 feet). The riders spend two nights in Steamboat Springs, with an optional 53-mile loop through Oak Creek and Twenty-Mile Road.
From Steamboat Springs, riders head 82 miles to Avon via State Bridge on June 11. The route to Breckenridge crosses (10,424 feet) and (11,318 feet) — two-thirds of the iconic ride. The final day reaches Golden via , (11,990 feet) and .
This is the of . Participation is by electronic lottery, a technological leap from hand-delivered applications that once arrived taped to boxes of pizza and children’s drawings.
Tour director Chandler Smith expects approximately 3,500 people to apply for the 2,000 slots available to registered riders. The $500 registration fee includes medical support, luggage transportation, aid-station support, entertainment and a bicycle jersey.
Apply online at ; applications must be filed between before March 2.
Nonprofit organizations in host communities are invited to apply for Denver Post Community Foundation grants. Groups that serve children, youths, recreation and literacy can learn more by visiting denverpostcommunity.com. Over the past 13 years, more than $520,000 in grants has gone to Ride The Rockies host communities.
Claire Martin: 303-954-1477, cmartin@denverpost.com or twitter.com/byclairemartin
Start training
The 2014 Ride The Rockies route takes to the hills on June 8, challenging 2,000 cyclists to a climb a total of 28,265 feet on a route that includes Boulder, Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, Avon, Breckenridge and Golden.
