The annual Denver Post Ride the Rockies Cycling Tour makes its way back to the Roaring Fork Valley for the first time since 2016 this year, with overnights in Snowmass Village and Carbondale.
The Ride is entering its 34th year. According to an announcement made Friday night, the 2019 route features a seven-day loop, beginning and ending in Crested Butte. This year’s ride will include stops in Snowmass Village on June 11 after riders make their way over Independence Pass from Buena Vista.
Then, on June 12, riders will head up the Maroon Creek Road and back down before making their way down the Roaring Fork Valley for an overnight in Carbondale. The 2016 Ride began in Carbondale.
Ride the Rockies takes place from Sunday, June 9 to Saturday, June 15, and is prefaced with a opening day prologue, which starts on Mt. Crested Butte June 8. From there, day one takes riders west out of town, straight up Kebler Pass. The daily mileage varies between 40 miles and 83 miles, with total of 445 mi., and approximately 28,230 feet in total elevation gain, according to a news release.