2017
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Enjoy the beautiful scenery (including the one pictured above that was taken with a camera phone only a few miles from the starting hotel while planning the trip) breathe in the fresh air, experience the low humidity and take delight in the laid back feeling of the Rocky Mountains.
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As important for bicycling, start the first four days at a higher elevation then you end, riding a slight downhill grade. (On Thursday, we ride around the Dillon Reservoir and start and end at the same hotel and elevation.)
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The only extended ascent is a 3% grade on the first day from Copper Mountain to Vail, which of course can be avoided by taking the SAG van.
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The other fascinating part of riding in the Rockies is the majority of each day ride is on dedicated paved bike paths that are free of obstructions to allow you to enjoy the scenery while biking.
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Ride next to rivers and streams as you both view and hear nature all around you and give you a definite sense of place.
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Visit up-close and experience the many renowned cities you have read or heard mentioned from friends and neighbors, including Aspen, Breckenridge, Frisco, Copper Mountain, Eagle and Vail.
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Finally, you may want to spend one afternoon rejuvenating in Glenwood Hot Springs in the calming mineral waters of the world's largest hot springs pool.
Day 1, Saturday
Check in at the starting hotel throughout the day. Check out the area or on your bike riding over the top of the dam or on foot taking a path from the back of the hotel that leads directly to the top of the Dillon Dam, getting assimilated to the fresh air and the overwhelming scenery. If you enjoy shopping, take time to visit the various shops and numerous outlets during the day. In the evening around 4:45pm enjoy the welcome meeting and then proceed to dinner with the group.
Lodging:
Hampton Inn
Silverthorne, Colorado
(Pool, hot-tub, fitness room, hair dryer, coin laundry and Internet)
Dinner:
With the group
Dillon Dam Brewery
(The #1 Largest Brewpub in the Colorado Rockies)
Brewhouse Salad - House-mix of green leaf lettuce, pickled carrots, grape tomato, cucumber and croutons, served with your choice of house-made dressing and a dinner roll
or Soup du Jour
Entrée choices:
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Front Range Flat Iron Steak - Certified Angus beef flat iron steak charbroiled and topped with teriyaki roasted poblano peppers and red onion; served iwth roasted tri-color baby potatoes
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Roasted Chicken crimini - Oven roasted chicken breast topped with a sweet crimini mushroom sauce; served with tomato cous cous
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Almond Sage Trout - Red meat trout seasoned with sage, pan seared and finished with almond brown butter & fresh lemon slices. Served with tomato cous cous.
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Signature Hamburgers with choice of Angus Beef, Range-Fed Bison, Chicken or Veggie Black Bean - The Dam: their most popular with melted cheddar cheese and smoked bacon; The Caprese (Our favorite): with Monterey jack cheese, sweet roasted tomato basil pesto & a balsamic glaze; or Build Your Own. Served with fries or Onion Rings (The onion rings were sensational!)
Day 2, Sunday
Experience the beauty and magnificence of the Rockies almost from the start looking over Lake Dillon with Breckenridge in the far distance with beautiful mountain views. Then ride around the northeast side of the Dillon Reservoir and through and around the town of Frisco on bike paths. Join the Ten Mile Creek Bike Trail, riding alongside the babbling river with its rocky streambeds, plunge pools and beaver ponds. If you look closely you may be able to see the wild rainbow, brown and brook trout. Take a small bridge over Ten Mile Creek just outside Copper Mountain and stop at the combination coffee, donut, pizza and convenience store (we can vouch for the doughnuts which are very good!) before proceeding through the skiing village of Copper Mountain. Ride the Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail along West "Tenmile" Creek riding over Vail Pass (10,662 feet). Finally descend to the unique town of Vail, The Premier International Mountain Resort Community, and experience the two main shopping and restaurant areas in Lionshead (where we will be staying at the Marriott Hotel) and Vail Village. In the evening have dinner with the group. By the way, did we mention that our hotel offers free smores, two free Starbuck beverages and two free aluminum water bottles!
Bicycling route: 13 miles, riding from the hotel in Silverthorne to Copper Mountain and taking SAG to hotel in Vail; or 29 miles, riding from the hotel in Silverthorne to Copper Mountain and taking SAG to Vail Pass and then riding to hotel in Vail; or 36 miles riding from the hotel in Silverthorne to hotel in Vail (Route is mostly, slightly downhill, with one extended 3% climb, which can be avoided by taking the SAG van from Copper Mountain.
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Lodging:
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort
Vail Colorado
(Pool, whirlpool, fitness center, hair dryer, spa and Internet)
Dinner:
el Sabor Restaurant
(Latin inspired dishes from Mexico, South America, Central America and Spain)
Vail, Colorado
Soup - Made fresh daily: pork green chili or soup de jour
Entrée choices:
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Tacos - Colorado: 3 white corn tacos with lettuce asadero cheese, pico de gallo & salsa with chicken, carnitas (pork) or carne asada (beef); Mahi Mahi: 2 grilled mahi tacos served on white corn tortillas, avocado salsa, asadero cheese lettuce and white sauce
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Kitchen Sink Burrito - flour tortilla filled with rice, refried beans and asadero cheese, topped with Spanish sauce, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream. choose carne asada, chicken or carnitas
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Chimichanga - deep fried tortilla with refried beans, red rice, asadero cheese, onions, peppers, topped with guacamole, sour cream and salsa. Choose carne asada, chicken, carnitas or chile relleno
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Rellenos - two asadero stuffed chile rellenos served with roja sauce
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Hamburger or Chicken Sandwich - made to order and served with shoestring French fries
Day 3, Monday
Wake-up and enjoy breakfast on your own at your favorite local breakfast place, including The Little Diner, where they make everything from scratch and located only a few hundred yards/meters from the hotel. Leave the town on Frontage Road that merges into the bike path following Gore Creek and then continue riding next to Eagle River on a combination of bike paths and low traffic roads all the way to Eagle, while bicycling through prairies and open fields with beautiful mountains all around you. Upon arriving in Eagle you may want to experience the dry sauna or steam room in addition to the large indoor pool. Eat lunch close-by the hotel or take a short ride on your bike to "downtown" Eagle with its laid back feel and wide-open little traveled streets. In the evening walk to your chosen nearby restaurant or take the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the hotel for even more restaurant choices.
Bicycling route: 29 miles, riding from hotel in Vail to hotel in Eagle. (Route is slightly downhill.)
Breakfast:
On your own
Lodging:
Best Western Plus +
Eagle, Colorado
(Indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, dry sauna, fitness center, coin laundry, hair dryer and Internet)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 4, Tuesday
After eating a hot breakfast leave Eagle, quickly joining the flat bike path riding near Eagle River and enjoying the views of the plains and hills until reaching the bike path at the end of the road and going under a small tunnel to the dedicated bike path that follows the Colorado River. As you know, the Colorado River is one of the principal rivers in the United States traversing seven states and creating the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead. View the whitewater rapids and fast flowing river while riding only a few feet away on dedicated bike paths, bridges and overpasses, allowing some of the most beautiful river views anywhere in the world. Ride into Glenwood Springs and pass the Hot Springs before venturing out for a meal from the numerous iconic, hole-in-the-wall, trendy, destination and independent restaurants.
Bicycling route: 32 miles riding from the hotel in Eagle to the hotel in Glenwood Springs (Route is slightly downhill.)
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Lodging:
Hampton Inn
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
(Indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, coin laundry, hair dryer and Internet)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 5, Wednesday
Take a quick van ride to Aspen and then ride your bike from Vail back to Glenwood Springs on the Rio Grande Trail a dedicated bike paths with a few low traveled roads. We transport you and your bicycle to Aspen to enjoy the slightly downhill route for the entire ride. (Descending is always better than ascending.) Start riding at the trail head in Aspen or explore the city of Aspen, named after the abundant Aspen trees in the area, that was founded as a counter-culture city in the 1970s, but now is a thriving area with The Wall Street Journal noting that it is the most expensive town in the United States; and a recent search on Zillow showing the cheapest stand-alone house listed at $1,459,637! Enjoy viewing the scenery that is different from the rest of the Rockies with grass and tree lined hills on either side of the open fields and prairies that make-up the valley between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Enjoy perusing the various towns, attractions and stops on the way to Glenwood Springs. After arriving in Glenwood Springs explore the downtown area or make your way to the World's Largest Hotspring Pool. Enjoy dinner at your favorite Glenwood Springs restaurant that you have researched or have heard about from friends and family.
Bicycling route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel in Glenwood Springs; or 42 miles, taking the van trip to Aspen and riding back to the hotel in Glenwood Springs. (Route is slightly downhill.)
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Lodging:
Hampton Inn
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
(Indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, coin laundry, hair dryer and Internet)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
After a short van trip back to our starting hotel, ride to Breckenridge to enjoy the unique and historical downtown areas with buildings and architecture that have stood the test of time, standing for over 100 years. Choose your route around Dillon Reservoir riding on the northeast side to avoid any hills and riding exclusively on bike paths or riding on the southeast side to take advantage of sights enjoyed by a little bit higher elevation, but with some climbing involved and then riding on the road on the downhill section. Either way enjoy the scenery and vistas across the lake. Arrive in Breckenridge and enjoy perusing the various shops or stopping to have a bite to eat at one of the 110 restaurants in the city then ride bike to the starting hotel to rest and have a cold drink before joining the group for the farewell dinner.
Bicycling route: 0 miles, taking the van to Silverthorne and staying at the hotel in Silverthorne; or 17 miles, taking the van to Silverthorne and riding to Breckenridge then taking the SAG van back to the hotel in Silverthorne; or 34 miles, taking the van to Silverthorne and riding to and from Breckenridge. (Route is primarily flat with some limited hills on the northeast Dillon Dam bike path option; or route has some climbing on the southeast Dillon Dam bike path option.)
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Lodging:
Hampton Inn
Silverthorne, Colorado
(Pool, hot-tub, fitness room, hair dryer, coin laundry and Internet)
Dinner:
With the group
Silverheels Bar & Grill
(2015 Diners' Choice Open Table Winner)
House Salad - Mixed greens, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers with choice of dressing
or a cup of Award winning Pork Green Chile Stew
Entrée choices:
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Trout - Lemon Pepper: lemon zest, roasted tomato, cracked black pepper and citrus buerre blanc or Trout Almandine: almond panko crust, citrus agave beurre blanc; served with fresh vegetables and one additional side
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Bone-in Pork Chop - adobo raspberry glade marinade, cornbread stuffing; served with fresh vegetables and one additional side
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Silverheel's Steak Oscar - 8 oz top sirloin, snow crab cream cheese blend, asparagus and hollandaise
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Chicken Anasazi - 8 oz all natural cornmeal crested chicken breast, snow crab cream cheese blend, roasted tomato, chipotle cream and tortilla strips; served with fresh vegetables and one additional side
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Almost Famous Fish Tacos - fried haddock, pico de gallo, coleslaw, cheddar-jack cheese and cajun remoulade with a flour tortilla
Day 7, Friday
Say goodbye to Colorado and start your journey home!
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. We have designed the routes utilizing bike paths wherever possible with the vast majority of the trip utilizing bike paths, but there are some roads that connect the bike paths. Though we are in the mountains the routes were designed to have a slight decent each day with only one climb on the trip. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the hotel. All routes are on paved bike paths and roads. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast.
Arriving by automobile:
Drive to Hampton Inn, 177 Meraly Way, Silverthorne, CO 80498, leaving your car at the hotel parking lot for free for the duration of the trip.
Arriving by Plane:
You can fly directly into the Denver International Airport (DIA) and take Shuttlebug, http://www.coloradomountainexpress.com/ or rent a car and leave it at the starting hotel for the duration of the trip.
Deposit:
$200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What's included:
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Hotel lodging
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Ride packets including maps & cue sheets (directions)
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Fully sagged including ride leaders, luggage transport, van transportation and rider assistance.
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Breakfast with the group each morning
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Dinner with the group three nights (see above)
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Fun and Enjoyment
Bicycles:
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Most participants bring their own bicycles.
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To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. Your bike can be sent to the starting hotel: Hampton Inn, 177 Meraly Way, Silverthorne, CO 80498
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To rent a bike please contact Mountain Sports Outlet; http://www.mountainsportsoutlet.com/summer-rentals/ or 970-262-2836 (They are located in the parking lot adjacent to the Hampton Inn, the starting hotel)
Weather in the last week of August in the Silverthorne, Colorado area:
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Average High 69°F