D1 ASPEN/SNOWMASS - BELLS

ARRIVAL DAY

21.5 mi / 1,900 Ft
34.6 km / 579 m
34.6 Km pave / 0 km grvl

Gear up for a day of high-altitude adventure as we dive into Aspen/Snowmass, rolling up our sleeves for arrivals and tackling some bike assembly. Our initiation into the thin air kicks off with a shakedown spin – we're hitting the Maroon Bells climb, starting at a cool 8,000' altitude. Brace yourself for a casual 10-mile ascent to a mountain lake, where the road, closed to vehicles for most of the season, opens up a playground for incredible riding in both directions. As we conquer the climb, the real prize awaits – North America's showstopper, the 14,000-foot Maroon Bells peaks, unleashing a view that's nothing short of breathtaking. Soak it all in before the adrenaline-fueled descent back into Aspen completes this epic mountain cycling experience.

O/N Aspen or Snowmass Village

D2 ASPEN/SNOWMASS - REDSTONE

40 mi / 3,102 Ft
65.5 km / 945 m
46 Km pave / 19.4 km grvl

Get ready to ride the wild winds from the chic streets of Aspen, Colorado, straight into the historic heart of Redstone Village. The Elk Mountains are our playground, and we're hitting the gravel roads – the raw, unfiltered canvas that mirrors our untamed spirit. These untrodden trails, authentically off the beaten path, echo the beat of our adventurous hearts. Brace yourself for a visual feast as we navigate through ever-changing scenes, weaving from dense aspen groves to the rugged Rockies' jagged peaks.

As Redstone looms on the horizon, a bygone era unfurls its charm. Nestled alongside the Crystal River, Redstone Village is a historic reverie. Its cobblestone streets and impeccably preserved architecture throw us back to the days when mining tycoons held court. Now, if you've got a hankering for a dip in the hot springs, our buddy Brad's crew owns the legendary Avalanche Ranch just up the road from Redstone. So, if you're game, let's soak in some history and hot water.

O/N Redstone Inn, Red Cliffs Lodge, Avalanche Ranch

D3 REDSTONE - CRESTED BUTTE

62.8 mi / 6,818 Ft
101.1 km / 2,078 m
46 Km pave / 19.4 km grvl

From Redstone, rev up and ride west on the edgy curves of Colorado Highway 133, slicing through narrow canyons alongside the roaring Crystal River. Feast your eyes on the epic views of towering red cliffs and the untamed river, the kind of scenery that gives you a natural high. The asphalt ends, and now we're climbing up towards the gravel paradise of Kebler Pass, sitting pretty at a cool 10,000 feet above it all. Brace yourself for an alpine spectacle – aspen groves so thick you can taste the adventure, meadows exploding with wildflowers, and the West Elk Range, all rugged and unapologetically majestic.

Now, let the adrenaline surge on your downhill blitz into Crested Butte. This mountain town is the real deal, cradled in a valley, surrounded by peaks that dare you to be as bold as they are. The historic downtown doesn't do subtle – it's a burst of color, vibrant buildings, and an atmosphere that'll have you buzzing with the mountain-town spirit.

O/N Old Town Inn

D4 CRESTED BUTTE - BUENA VISTA

67 mi / 4,964Ft
108 km / 1,513m
101.3 Km pave / 6.7 km grvl

Dive headfirst into our obsession: Cottonwood Pass, a wild ride of twisting asphalt that's practically a dare to the gods of the road, topped with a summit view that'll have you questioning reality. This pass broke the Euro pros back in the Quiznos Challenge Pro road race – some even threw in the towel, leaving the broom wagon bursting at the seams. In those gritty days, much of the climb was dirt, but today, we ride the fully paved glory on both sides. Buckle up for a hair-raising descent into Buena Vista, where our journey wraps with a tour of the Deerhammer Whiskey Distillery, because nothing says victory like a shot of rebellion.

Nestled amid the Collegiate Peaks, the Scandi-minimalist Surf Hotel becomes our haven, buzzing with the cool vibes of urban escape artists. It's not just a hotel; it's a vibe. Picture a cocktail bar in the lobby, the Ivy Ballroom hosting a symphony of sounds, and a summer concert series turning the town square into an amphitheater of spontaneity. This is where hip meets altitude, and we're here for every rebellious sip.

O/N The Surf Hotel - Buena Vista

D5 BUENA VISTA

Time to ditch the bike and grab a paddle.

Welcome to Buena Vista, where the name translates to "good view," but that's just the tip of the iceberg in this Rocky Mountain rebel hub. Tucked between two colossal mountain ranges, this small town is more than just a pretty face; it's a hotspot for thrill-seekers. Picture the Arkansas River slicing through the heart of the town, inviting you to ditch the wheels for some badass whitewater action.

So, grab your paddle and pack that wild spirit; it's time for an all-day rafting escapade! The Numbers, a stretch of the Arkansas River that's become our go-to, promises heart-pounding rapids at every turn. This isn't your leisurely float; it's a full-throttle, jaw-dropping, adrenaline-fueled rebellion against the ordinary. Buckle up, because adventure just found a new address.

For more than 30 years, Performance Tours Rafting have been offering incredible Buena Vista whitewater rafting trips for guests in Colorado!

O/N The Surf Hotel - Buena Vista

D6 LEADVILLE - BRECKENRIDGE

79.2 mi / 6,418 Ft
127.5 km / 1,956 m
89.1 Km pave /38.4 km grvl

Rev up those engines for a rebellious 40-minute transfer to Leadville, a chill haven tucked amidst the Rockies' sky-scraping peaks, dripping in the hues of wild mining tales and frontier lore. This laid-back joint is the legendary host of the Leadville 100 race, and we're kicking off the day by staging at the local coffee haunt – because every epic ride deserves a badass caffeine prelude.

Our journey launches with a scenic loop around Turquoise Lake, a dazzling 18-mile lakeside spin that's just the appetizer for the thrill ride ahead. We'll cross paths with the iconic Copper Triangle cycling route, ascending gradually on Hwy 24 to the legendary Tennessee Pass (10,424’). In 1881, this stretch witnessed the birth of the first branch narrow gauge railroad, serving the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Co's gateway to the Red River mines. Today, it stands as a memorial highway to the 10th Mountain Division.

After catching a breather in the laid-back mining vibes of Red River, we gear up for the challenge of Shrine Pass. Named after the fiery red quartzite bluffs surrounding it, this former mining haunt at the Eagle River and Turkey Creek junction sets the stage for our gravel-fueled ascent. The Shrine Pass route kicks off smack in the heart of town, tracing Turkey Creek to its 11,094-feet peak before treating us to a brisk descent at the trailhead parking lot off I-70 on Vail Pass.

And just when you thought the day couldn't get any more badass, we wrap it up with a 1500 ft descent from Copper Mountain, blazing down the paved Vail Pass bike path straight into the beating heart of one of the most scenically rebellious ski towns in the US – Breckenridge.

O/N Breckenridge TBD

D7 WINTERPARK - BOULDER

62.1 mi / 4,447 Ft
99.9 km / 1,356 m
36.6 Km pave / 63.3 km grvl

Buckle up for a gritty 1h30m transfer, hauling our gutsy crew from Breckenridge to Winter Park. Today's ride is no Sunday joyride – it's a high-mountain showdown that'll test even the most rebellious drop bar bikes. Rollins Pass, our battleground, is a rough beast. Don't let the gentle grade fool you; it's a relentless assault of sharp rocks, endless mud holes, and body-jarring terrain that can shred a tire at breakneck speed. The ascent is a slow grind, and the descent? Hold onto your helmets, because it's a turbulent rollercoaster with zero mercy. Add the unpredictable mountain weather, and you've got a recipe for a wild ride with little shelter if you're above the tree line. Oh, and get ready for some hike-a-bike sections – because we're not here for the faint of heart.

At the summit of Rollins Pass, a lofty 11,676 feet in the air, brace yourself for jaw-dropping views of the Indian Peaks and James Peak wilderness areas – a humbling spectacle of vastness. A journey through time, adorned with historic artifacts. Some, like the Needle's Eye Tunnel and the Twin Trestles, stand as obvious relics, while others, ancient whispers in the landscape, demand your careful attention to reveal their secrets.

This path, once a lifeline for wagons connecting the Grand Valley to the Front Range, transformed into a railroad but succumbed to the relentless onslaught of snow and avalanches. By 1928, the Moffat Tunnel stole the show, linking the Front Range to Winter Park and sealing Rollins Pass's fate. The rails were yanked out in 1935, leaving only one way to conquer this path – by the sheer grit of human-powered transport.

As we wrap up our day, we'll cruise through the quirky mountain town of Nederland for a lunch pitstop and some damn fine coffee. Then, brace yourselves as we plummet down into Boulder – home to the RAPHA clubhouse and a dining scene that's seduced many an East Coaster. Get ready for a wild ride with a side of mountain-town cool.

O/N Basecamp Boulder

D8 BOULDER - IDAHO SPRINGS

80 mi / 5,927 Ft
128 Km / 1,828 m
110 Km pave / 15 km grvl

Ditch the bougie vibes of Boulder, and let's kick it up a notch straight up Flagstaff Mountain – the gnarly prologue course that's seen the sweat and grit of every Coors Classic and a few US Pro races. Your PR is about to get a run for its money on this legendary climb! We're not stopping there; we're tearing it up on Gross Dam Rd, hitting the dirt, and retracing the east face of Rollins Pass. This ride is a gem, and the crazy part? It's right in the face of the front range. As you tear through, soak in the jaw-dropping views of the James Peak Wilderness area, the Continental Divide, and the almighty Loch Lomond. Now, hold tight for the Oh-My-God road, a.k.a. Virginia Canyon – a gradual, shelf road descent that's a history-soaked ride through old mining areas and ghost towns, sandwiched between Idaho Springs and Central City. Buckle up, this one's gonna be wild.

O/N The Uplift Inn - Idaho Springs

D9 IDAHO SPRINGS - EVERGREEN

62.3 mi / 8,600 Ft
102 km / 2,579 m
95.5 Km pave / 4.7 km grvl

Mount Evans! Altitude over Gradient! Conquer the highest paved road in North America, flexing at a staggering 14,130 feet. This ain't your typical climb – it's not steep, but its length and that breath-thin altitude will push your cycling limits. Glide through graceful curves and a consistent 4% to 7% grade that'll have you feeling the burn. Brace yourself for a 27-mile ascent, gaining nearly 7,000 feet, until you hit the summit, surrounded by killer vistas. The descent? Keep it cool – afternoon winds and a road surface that's a bit dicey will keep you on your toes. Wrap it all up in Evergreen, the lakeside rebel just 45 minutes from Denver. After today's ride, snag a coffee from the Muddy Buck and wander through the chill historic district. This is how we roll.

O/N Highland Haven Creekside Inn or Alpine Way Chalet
Dining Revival Brews or Lariat Lodge Brewing Company

*2024 may see Mount Evens closed due to the repair of the road.

D10 EVERGREEN - COLORADO SPRINGS

94 mi / 8,284 Ft (-10,312 Ft)
102 km / 2,525 m (- 3,143 m}
44.7 Km pave / 106.8 km grvl

Time to cut the cord – we've got a 20-minute transfer to Conifer, ditching 12 miles because, hey, we're here to ride hard, not tally up unnecessary miles. Now, let's dive deep into the Rampart Mountain Range, slashing our way to the South Platte River. Today is all about owning the Pike National Forest, a badass realm of endless dirt roads and over 200 miles of trails – it's like hitting the jackpot in back-country motorcycle heaven, and guess what? We're claiming it for ourselves. Twenty-five miles in, we hit the Sprucewood Inn, the bike scene's epicenter run by George Ehnes and Charlene Homfeld. Stop for a cold one, grab a pic, and soak in the vibes. Our ride traces the Rampart Range spine, and damn, the views are insane – Pikes Peak, Denver sprawled out below, and glimpses of Olympic City USA. At the day's end, we plummet 3,300 feet in 12 miles, wrapping this Colorado Springs epic. Check-in, unpack, and kick back – welcome to Cloud Camp, your ultimate mountaintop refuge.

O/N The Broadmoor - Cloud Camp

D11 Garden of the Gods

21.7 mi / 1,877 Ft
35 km / 572 m
100 Km pave

Time for a breather – roam the hotel, hit the trails, or take a quick spin through the Garden of the Gods. Roll through the mind-bending sandstone monoliths, getting up close and personal with these colossal rock formations. The ride serves up killer views from all angles as you tear along the paved road circling the park. Grab a coffee in town, then head back to Cloud Camp – gear up because tomorrow, we're hitting it again!

O/N The Broadmoor - Cloud Camp

D12 PIKES PEAK

62.3 mi / 8,600 Ft
102 km / 2,579 m
95.5 Km pave / 4.7 km grvl

Ready for a real gut-check? Conquer the Pikes Peak Highway on your bike – a fully paved warzone that cranks up the intensity. You're looking at over 4,800 vertical feet of relentless climbing, navigating a twisted maze of more than 150 hairpin turns that spit you out at the 14,115-foot summit. This mountain isn't just a local legend; it's a global heavy hitter, drawing over a million adrenaline junkies annually. After Japan's Mt. Fuji, this bad boy takes the silver for the world's most visited peak.

But what really sets Pikes Peak apart? It's all about the grade, baby. Forget your typical Colorado climbs – Mt. Evans, step aside. Pikes Peak boasts an average grade of 6.1%, with brief descents (the longest being 0.35 miles at -5.7%) giving your quads a sporadic breather. If you're up for the Climb Only challenge, buckle up for a solid 7.9% average. Brace yourself for 9.9 miles (41% of the climb) hitting you at 5-10% grade, another 4.5 miles (18%) at 10-15%, and a spicy 0.3 miles (1.1%) at 15-20%. The steepest quarter mile throws a whopping 12% at you, and the meanest full mile clocks in at a blistering 10%. It's a showdown between you and the peak – winner takes all.

O/N The Broadmoor - Cloud Camp

A video breakdown of the Pikes Peak climb!

D12 ALT - COLORADO SPRINGS - GOLD CAMP ROAD

62.3 mi / 8,600 Ft
102 km / 2,579 m
95.5 Km pave / 4.7 km grvl

Forget Pikes Peak – if you're up for an alternative that's dripping with gritty charm, Gold Camp Road has your back. A contender for Colorado's most badass gravel ride, this rebel route is a part of the Gold Belt Byway, a wild network of gravel and asphalt tracing the historic gold mining trails. Buckle up for a journey west out of Colorado Springs, where haunted tunnels carved into granite cliffs set the stage for this epic ride. Traverse shelf roads hanging over the plains, plunge into dense forests of Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and quaking aspen. It's a psychedelic color palette paired with eerie vibes that'll etch this trip into your Colorado Springs saga. And since you're in the hood, go all out – hit up Switchback Roasters for a caffeine fix and El Taco Rey for a chile relleno burrito. It's not just a ride; it's a day-long rebellion against the ordinary.

O/N The Broadmoor - Cloud Camp

D13 - COLORADO SPRINGS to DENVER (DEN)

Time to escape the wild vibe of Colorado Springs and head to the concrete jungle of Denver International Airport. We're talking a solid 1 hour and 30 minutes of transit, so buckle up. Now, you've got options – plenty of airport hotels at DEN. Crash for the night if your international flight's playing hard to get. It's your call, and it's all about wrapping up this gritty adventure with a touch of urban cool.