As the Ride The Rockies tour descended Rabbit Ears Pass on Monday afternoon, the view of Steamboat Springs offered more than just a beautiful sight. After two days of brutal riding, the first glimpse of town gave the riders quick relief, as Steamboat Springs would provide much-needed rest on a 471-mile trek through the Colorado Rockies.

The 29^th Annual Ride The Rockies tour started in Boulder on Sunday, June 8. The nearly 2,000 cyclists began the ride with a grueling stretch that climbed through a blizzard on Berthoud Pass and finally ended in Winter Park on Sunday evening. Monday’s course provided little recovery as the riders made their way from Winter Park to Steamboat climbing both Muddy Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass along the way. The two days of cycling that averaged over 92 miles and 7,000 feet of elevation finally came to a close as the riders entered base camp at Steamboat Ski & Resort on Monday, June 9. 

Day 3 of the tour offered a rolling, beautiful 54-mile loop along Twenty Mile Road, that both started and finished at the mountain resort. Although the loop led the riders on a series of tough climbs, Tuesday’s shortened course did afford some, if only a small amount, of necessary recovery.

The Ride The Rockies cyclists spent two nights at the base of Mt. Werner, where they enjoyed the beautiful weather, the delicious restaurants, and the developing Ski Time Square. The extra night gave the cyclists a chance to relax and enjoy the mountain town. 

“It’s a great place to come and visit,” Ride the Rockies participant, Tom Sheldon, says. “Whenever Ride the Rockies stays here, I’ve been here several times, it’s wonderful. The course through Steamboat is mellow and beautiful and I love the roads outside Steamboat. Always enjoyable. Great atmosphere in town. Good people.”

The tour continued on Wednesday and Thursday as the cyclists made their way from Steamboat to Avon and Avon to Breckenridge. The cyclists will finish the ride on Friday, June 13 with a 77-mile stretch from Breckenridge to Golden.

For more information regarding Ride The Rockies visit their website at www.ridetherockies.com.