When is the ride?
The 2023 Tour de Steamboat is on Saturday, July 15th.
Where is packet pick-up?
TBD
Can I pick up for someone else? Or can someone pick up for me?
Yes, you can pick up for as many people as needed.
How do I get my ride credentials and SWAG?
Your confirmation number is your ride credential, please be prepared to show this confirmation of entry if asked.
What does my registration include?
- Full ride support including SAG vehicles, aid stations, State Patrol, and rock star volunteers
- Post-ride lunch (vegetarian and GF options available)
- Free beer and beverages in the craft beer garden
- The satisfaction of knowing you are supporting local beneficiaries with your entry
Will there be day of registrations?
Yes, we will accept day-of registrations at 6:30 am, IF the event is not full and only CASH or CHECK will be accepted, no credit cards. Check the website for details, prices, and availability.
Can I change the course I registered for?
You may ride a shorter course, different than what you originally registered for without making any changes to your registration. If you wish to upgrade to a longer course, you will need to contact info@tourdesteamboat.com for instructions.
I would like to transfer my entry to someone, how does that work?
You must contact the director at info@tourdesteamboat.com and TRANSFERS WILL ONLY BE ACCOMMODATED UNTIL JUNE 30, 2022.
Where and at what time is the start?
All rides start and finish at Howelsen Hill/Olympian Hall parking lot – Howelsen Pkwy, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.
All rides start at 7 am with a State Patrol-led rollout. If you leave earlier please be aware of the opening and closing times for aid stations.
Please follow all traffic signs and rules of the road.
Can I have a friend/family member drive the course to help me and/or my friends?
NO personal support vehicles are allowed on the course. Our event is a fully stocked, well-coordinated event designed to let riders ride from aid station to aid station without additional support vehicles.
How do you know if registration is full?
We will post it on the website and registration for that distance will be closed on the Enmotive registration site.
How many riders is the ride limited to?
We will close registration at 1,200 riders.
Can you buy tickets to the Post Ride Picnic if you are not riding?
Yes, but we will not be selling extra meals the day of the event. Please purchase extra meals in advance when you register or add to your existing registration prior to one week before the ride.
What are the course hours?
Course hours are 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. SAG and mechanical support will only be available on course from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Riders are expected to make each aid station cut off time. Any rider on course after an aid station closure will be driven to the next aid station or to the finish as is appropriate.
What are the Aid Station cut-offs? Note: Strict closers will apply.
Sidney Peak Stables: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Stagecoach: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Yampa: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Oak Creek: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m
Trout Creek: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Coal Mine: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
How many Aid Stations are on the course?
Road Route
66 mile ride = 3
46 mile ride = 2
20 mile ride = 1
Gravel Route
100 mile ride= 3
50 mile ride = 2
Where are the Aid Stations?
Road Rides
Glas Deffryn 66 mile road:
Stagecoach Aid: RCR 14 at the Stagecoach Reservoir in the Stagecoach Wetlands Parking Area.
Yampa: Montgomery’s General Merchandise along Main Street
Oak Creek: Bonfiglio’s Parking Lot
Mt. Valley Bank 46 mile road:
Stagecoach Aid: RCR 14 at the Stagecoach Reservoir in the Stagecoach Wetlands Parking Area.
Oak Creek: Bonfiglio’s Parking Lot
Peace, Love and Kindness 20 mile road:
Sidney Peak Stables: Located on right just after passing the large Sidney Peak barn and riding arena.
Gravel Rides:
Bingham Built 100 mile gravel:
Stagecoach Aid Station: RCR 14 at the Stagecoach Reservoir in the Stagecoach Wetlands Parking Area.
Trout Creek: Trout Creek Recreational Area: CR 132A and CR 29 parking lot called the Trout Creek Rec Area.
Coal Mine: across from the 20 mile Coal Mine on Cr 27 and 33. An intersection with a cul-de-sac pull-out with a porta-potty and picnic table “Routt County Rider Rest Stop.”
Alpine Bank 50-mile gravel:
Stagecoach Aid Station: RCR 14 at the Stagecoach Reservoir in the Stagecoach Wetlands Parking Area.
How many feet of climbing are on each ride?
Road Routes
Glas Deffryn 66 mile ride = 3,100 feet if climbing
Mt. Valley Bank 46 mile ride = 2,200 feet of climbing
Peace, Love and Kindness 20 mile ride = 550 feet of climbing
Gravel Routes
Bingham Built 100 mile ride = 7,879 feet of climbing
Alpine Bank 50 mile ride = 2,483 feet of climbing
Can I ride an Ebike?
E-bikes are allowed on the 66, 46, and 26-mile road ride only, with no exceptions. You need to be confident in your bike’s ability to cover these distances.
I’m riding the gravel course, what should I expect?
The TDS Gravel rides both consist of about 35% pavement and 65% dirt. A mixed pavement and gravel ride, little traffic, fun singletrack around the reservoir and amazing views are to be expected! Aid stations will resupply you at both ends of the dirt sections and cheerful volunteers will help re-fuel you for the next section. On dirt, you can expect everything from smooth gravel, 2-track primitive roads, pavement and maybe even some mud in the event of rain! All the TDS routes including the gravel rides are open to traffic so all rules of the road apply. Be prepared with 36 c or bigger treaded tires, rain gear, a fender if wet, bottles for water and a way to carry food and repair kit. We will have a sweep vehicle for SAG support however you must be fit enough to complete these rides prior to starting, this includes managing your own repairs and/or flat tires and method for carrying all needed gear, food, and hydration. E-bikes are NOT permitted.
Are there Port-a-Lets at each Aid Station?
Yes
What food, beverages and incidentals will be available at each Aid Station?
Water
Honey Stinger products
Skratch electrolyte drink
Fruit (bananas, oranges, etc)
Cookies
M and M’s
Pretzels
Pickles at Yampa and Gore Pass aid stations
Fig Newtons
Ibuprofen
Sunscreen
Port-a-lets
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches will be available at the Trout Creek Aid Station for gravel riders.
What will the finish line look like?
We are planning for a festive and attractive finish area with music, lunch, beer and beverages, rider SWAG and a vendor expo.
How does the post-ride lunch work?
You will be asked for your lunch order during registration. At the completion of your ride proceed through the finish and check in under your name (alphabetical) at the big white tent. Here we will deliver your rider SWAG, bagged lunch and a beverage voucher.
What are the lunch options?
Turkey, Jack & Cheddar Sandwich Box Lunch with Chips, Fruit and Cookie
Applewood Smoked Ham Sandwich Box Lunch with Chips, Fruit and Cookie
(GF) Turkey & Provolone Gluten Free Sandwich Box Lunch with Chips, Fruit and Krispy Bar
(V) Quinoa Harvest Salad Lunch and Cookie a Box
Can I change my lunch order after I have registered?
Yes, up until 2 week prior to the ride you may edit your registration, however, you will need to manage this on your own via Enmotive and your confirmation code.
What to wear?
For greater safety and better visibility early in the morning or during rainy/cloudy conditions, participants are suggested to bring headlights and high visibility flashing taillights. Brightly colored clothing is also suggested for riding in rainy/low-light conditions or after dark.
Remember layering is the best option as we are in Colorado and the weather changes from hour to hour.
How fit do I need to be?
Whether the Tour de Steamboat is your first or 21st ride, getting yourself ready for the ride is key to making it an enjoyable experience. For starters, be sure you’ve had a recent physical exam by your family physician. Once cleared for training, don’t go at it full-bore if you’ve not been regularly active. Increase your time and effort gradually. Avoid focusing solely on building mileage at the expense of a well-rounded program that includes strength, flexibility, endurance, nutrition, hydration and rest.
Plan on increasing your mileage by l0% to 15% each week over the course of your training. Begin with shorter rides back-to-back, and increase to longer days in the saddle. You should eventually work up to some metric century (62 miles) distances since a couple of our days will be this long or slightly longer. The Tour de Steamboat’s biggest claim to fame is our elevation; please plan your training to include both the climbing and descending hills. If possible, ride with others to get prepared for sharing the road with other cyclists. Many books and articles have been written on the subject of training for cyclists. If you have doubts about your ability or questions about how to train, you are encouraged to research the topic online or at your local book or bike shop.
What are the rules of the Tour de Steamboat?
This is a non-competitive ride, rules of the road apply.
Please read the following for definition:
Local law patrol is a part of our event and as such will be monitoring both vehicle drivers and cyclists for adherence to the appropriate rules of the road. Bicyclists are subject to citation by law enforcement for violating state law or local ordinances. So be sure to obey all traffic laws and be a good ambassador of the sport of cycling at all times. Take particular care in supervising any child or teen companions. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children and should keep them closely supervised at all times, both on and off the bike.
Always keep the following “rules of the road” in mind:
- TDS participants must wear an approved helmet at all times when on the bike.
- Use of earbuds/headphones are forbidden. Your sense of hearing is critical to avoiding many hazards.
- Never ride more than two abreast and share the road. Ride single file when other vehicles need to pass. Especially in these areas:
- Cr 14 to Stagecoach Reservoir and onto Oak Creek Aid Station
- Hwy 131 between Phippsburg and Oak Creek
- Ride in a predictable manner
- Do not draft behind motor vehicles
Call out and/or signal, as appropriate, to alert other riders when you:
- Intend to pass (“On your left” or “Passing”)
- Intend to turn
- Are slowing or stopping (“Slowing,” “Stopping”)
- Become aware of a hazard ahead (“Pothole,” “Glass”, etc.)
- Absolutely DO NOT call “clear” at intersections. It must remain the responsibility of each rider to determine whether it is safe to pass through an intersection based upon his/her immediate observations of the prevailing conditions.
Will there be refunds for the event for any reason?
Refunds will be honored per the following schedule:
- 100% refund if requested before March 1, 2022
- 50% refund if requested before April 1, 2022
- 25% refund if requested before May 1st, 2022 after which no refunds will be issued.
After May 1st there will be no refunds.
Who handles medical care at The Tour?
Beyond the spectacular views and many other great reasons to enjoy the Tour De Steamboat safety and medical support are of the utmost importance to our ride. Marked medical escort vehicles will be provided along all three routes to offer rapid emergency medical treatment. At the finish line, a dedicated medical aid tent will be available to treat and evaluate everything from sore joints to serious medical emergencies. Licensed medical professionals provided by EMS Unlimited are well versed in not only offering compassionate and rapid medical care but also keeping a watchful eye over all facets of the ride to ensure safety is always paramount.
The Tour De Steamboat is proud to provide this valuable and quality service offered by EMS Unlimited, a Colorado-based premier full-service event medical standby company. To learn more about EMS Unlimited visit them at www.ems-unlimited.com. An Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedic Aide Tent will be available at the finish line for everything from free blood pressure checks to serious medical emergencies. Two marked Paramedic response vehicles will be roaming all three routes to provide immediate medical stabilization and transport coordination even in the most rural corners of the course. In the event of a medical emergency call 911 or stop by the nearest aide station and EMTs and Paramedics will be at your side within moments. There are portions of the course where cellular service is unreliable. If you find someone needing assistance in these areas please ask someone to continue on and call 911 as soon as possible.
What is the cancellation policy?
We hope never to cancel our event. But we all now know anything is possible… That said, in the event of cancellation refunds WILL NOT be issued. We do allow transfers to another category. If you are concerned about issues out of your control please be sure to buy event insurance.
Category transfers will be accommodated up until seven days before the event date. Please plan accordingly.