Bicyclists will swarm to valley in June

Thousands of people to roll through

Two of the Colorado’s largest road bike tours will be coming to the valley this summer. Ride-the-Rockies will roll through Gunnison Monday, June 15. Then, the Bicycle Tour of Colorado will come to Crested Butte June 24 and spend a few days in town.

The Bike Tour of Colorado arrives from Montrose in Crested Butte Wednesday, June 24. Those riders will have a rest day in the town on June 25 and take off for Buena Vista on June 26. “About 2,000 registered riders are expected,” said Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce events manager Scott Still. “Plus, there will be family members who travel with the group who will add to the people coming to spend a few days in town.”
Still said the bike tour is timed to coincide with Fat Tire Bike Week as well. “There will be lots of stuff going on that week. It will be a great kick-off for the summer,” he emphasized.
One potential problem is where to put all the campers since traditionally the bikers set up their tents near the Crested Butte Community School. But the school could be undergoing a construction expansion next summer. “The town is looking at all options, including public and private land, to accommodate camping for the event,” said Crested Butte town manager Susan Parker. “We aren’t sure what condition the camping area by the school will be in when the cyclists get here in June.”
Meanwhile, Ride–the-Rockies is one of the major events of the summer throughout western Colorado. More than 2,000 registered cyclists will begin their 380-mile loop in Glenwood Springs, climbing three mountain passes and traversing the North Rim of the Black Canyon.
Riders will bike to Gunnison from Hotchkiss on June 15 and head to Salida over Monarch Pass the next day. Ride-the-Rockies organizers say their event brings in up to 3,500 people at their stops.
Needless to say, both events are expected to be give an economic boost to the early summer tourist season.