What happened to the 116-mile road ride?
Due to concerns for rider safety and poor road conditions on Highway 40 from Rabbit ears Pass to Gore Pass turn off we have made the decision to suspend this route until safety concerns are mitigated by road improvements and increased shoulder size.
Where is packet pick-up?
Packet pickup is Friday, July 17 from 3-8 pm at Ski Haus located at 1457 Pine Grove Road. Check-in is mandatory.
Can I pick up for someone else? Or can someone pick up for me?
Yes, you can pick up for any many people as needed.
Why can’t I purchase more bike drawing tickets this year?
One bike drawing ticket is now included in each rider registration.
What does my registration include?
- Drawing ticket to win three fabulous prizes, including a custom titanium Eriksen gravel or road bike, your choice!
- Post-ride BBQ (vegetarian option available)
- Free beer in the craft beer garden
- Swag bag
- Full ride support including SAG vehicles, aid stations, and rock star volunteers
Where and at what time is the start?
All rides start and finish at Little Toots Park on 12th and Yampa St..
All riders start at 7 am with a State Patrol car out of town. If you leave early please be aware of opening and closing times for aid stations.
Please follow all traffic signs and rules of the road.
How many feet of climbing is on each ride?
Road Routes
66 mile ride = 3,100 feet if climbing
46 mile ride = 2,200 feet of climbing
26 mile ride = 963 feet of climbing
Gravel Route
100 mile ride = 7137 feet of climbing
50 mile ride = 2623 feet of climbing
Can I have a friend/family member drive the course to help me and/or my friends?
Absolutely no personal support vehicles are allowed 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 web site and registration for that distance will be closed on imATHLETE.
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 please purchase in advance.
What are the Aid Station cut-offs? Note: Strict closers will apply.
Aid 1 Kremmling 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Aid 2 Gore Pass 10:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Aid 3 Stagecoach – 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Aid 4 Morrison Cove – 10:30 – 5 p.m.
Aid 5 Yampa 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Aid 6 Oak Creek 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Aid 7 Sidney Peak Ranch 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
How many Aid Stations are on course?
Road Route
66 mile ride = 3
46 mile ride = 2
26 mile ride = 1
Gravel Route
100 mile ride= 3
50 mile ride= 3
Where are the Aid Stations?
66:
Stagecoach: Gravel Pit Road (Redman Gravel Pit (8/10th of a mile past Stagecoach Wetlands parking area on North side of the road)
Yampa: Montgomery’s General Merchandise along Main Street
46:
Stagecoach: Gravel Pit Road (Redman Gravel Pit (8/10th of a mile pastStagecoach Wetlands parking area on North side of the road)
Oak Creek: Bonfiglio’s Parking Lot
Sidney Peak Ranch: Cul de sac at the very end of Marshall Ridge Road
26:
Sidney Peak Ranch: Cul de sac at the very end of Marshall Ridge Road
I’m riding the gravel course, what should I expect?
The Large Gravel ride will be approximately 100-miles in length consisting of about 25% pavement and 75% dirt. The 50 mile Gravel ride is about 40% pavement and 60% dirt. 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 ride are open to traffic so all rules of the road apply. Be prepared with bigger knobby tires, rain gear, a fender if wet, lots of water and food and a good tool and repair kit. We will have a sweep vehicle for SAG support however you must be fit enough to complete this ride prior to starting, this includes managing your own repairs and/or flat tires and carrying all needed gear, food, and hydration needs. E-bikes are NOT permitted.
Are there mechanics at each Aid Station?
Mechanics will be at the top of Gore Pass on the long routes with limited replacement items. Please be prepared to repair your own bike. Please ensure your bike is in proper working condition before the ride and carry appropriate tools for roadside repairs.
Are there Port-a-Lets at each Aid Station?
Yes
What food and beverages will be available at each Aid Station?
Water
Honey Stinger products
Skratch electrolyte drink
Fruit (bananas, watermelon, 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 top of Gore Pass for 116 and 98-mile riders.
What time is the post-ride BBQ?
Riders signed up for the brunch service can eat from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Beer will be served starting at 12 p.m. The afternoon BBQ service starts at 12:30 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m. allowing time for all riders to eat, drink and meet other riders. There will be both meat and vegetarian options available along with craft beer.
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. YOU MUST HAVE A COLOR CODED BRACELET TO ACCESS THE AID STATIONS AND ENTER THE BBQ.
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?
The challenges include elevation, altitude, weather, and heat. Please train appropriately for this event.
Whether the Tour de Steamboat is your first or 21st big 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.
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 EMT’s 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 area’s please ask someone to continue on and call 911 as soon as possible.
What is the cancellation policy?
We have never canceled the Tour de Steamboat in its entire 15 plus year history. We hope we never need to. That said, in the event of cancellation refunds WILL NOT be issued. We do allow transfers to another category. All transfers must be managed by you the entrant, using imATHLETE and your registration page or by contacting imATHLETE directly support@imathlete.com or 855-751-9090. Category transfers will be accommodated up until seven days before event date. Please plan accordingly.