- There is NO pre-ride packet pick-up for the 2024 Tour de Steamboat. Your ride credential is your proof of registration. Please be prepared to show your credentials or receipt of registration on your phone or have a paper copy.
- On Friday night, from 5-8 pm Yampa Valley Brewery -Steamboat location is hosting a pre-ride party with beer specials, a food truck, and a restaurant next door (Seedz). Helpful TDS volunteers will be available to answer your questions about course marking, route downloads etc., and other questions you might have. This gathering IS NOT mandatory, it’s just for fun and general information. For any questions about your registration please contact info@tourdesteamboat.com
- All rides start at 7:00 am at the Olympian Hall Parking Lot Once you complete your ride you will receive a swag bag with your lunch and a beer/beverage ticket for the post-ride picnic. Please collect these at the white tent
- Aid stations on all routes have changed, be sure to check the website route if unfamiliar with aid location and route changes.
- Post-ride food service: We are having a catered, fresh-cooked post-ride meal this year served by Fort Collins team Lick Skillet. Fresh food with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. We will also serve beer, water, and iced tea. Your meal and beverage ticket can be picked up after your ride with your event goodies. Please plan ahead if you want to have family join you for food and beverages and purchase a meal/Beverage ticket ahead of time if possible.
Aid Station Cut off times:
100 Mile Gravel
- 100 mile Gravel-Aid 1: Stagecoach Wetlands: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- 100 mile Gravel-Aid 2: Trout Creek: 9:30a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- 100 mile Gravel Aid 3: Coal Mine 11:30 a.m – 3:30 p.m.
66, 46, 26 mile road and 50 mile gravel
- 20 road and 50 mile gravel (optional) -Aid 1: Sidney Peak Ranch 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
- 66 & 46 road and 50 mile Gravel-Aid 1: Stagecoach Wetlands 7:30 -10:30 a.m.
- 66 ONLY-Aid 2: Yampa Aid 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- 66 (Aid 3) & 46 (Aid 2) Oak Creek 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Parking is available at the start/finish area and around town, on a first come basis. Suggested parking is at the Howelsen Hill parking lot, the Stockbridge transit center west of town about ¾ mile from start, accessed by bike path and side streets as allowed. If you do not start at 7 am with the group, the best plan is to ride directly to 5th street and Yampa bridge to start on all courses.
- Click here for full route descriptions
- A State Trooper-led start will leave Howelsen Hill at 7:00 am for all rides. It is not mandatory you ride out with the group however we do ask all riders to be on course by 7:30 am so the SAG vehicles know who the last rider is on course for support.
- All riders are required to ride single file on all courses at all times, this will be strictly enforced by our SAG support, State Patrol, and local police.
- Absolutely no earbuds or headphones allowed while riding.
- State Patrol will be on all routes at 7:00am roving, performing crossing assistance and traffic control.
ON-ROUTE PROCEDURES:
Course hours – 7:00 a.m. until 6:00pm:
SAG support will 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 appropriate. If you start early or late, please be aware of aid station open and close times and know the SAG vehicles may be AHEAD of you on course.
Please know if you exit the course to go into a bar or restaurant or elsewhere you are off course and may be unaccounted for. Yes, this happens…
Before the Ride:
Be sure to have your bike completely checked and any necessary repairs made BEFORE you begin the Tour de Steamboat.
Bring at least 2 new tubes for each size tire and rim on your bike. If you have an older bike or one that may have hard to find or rare parts, consider bringing along spares for it. You already know if this applies to you!
Please print maps from the website or download files into your bike computer or phone. The course is very well marked and we do NOT have paper maps for distribution. That said, we have experienced vandalism of signage before, it happens! In several places routes split off, please be aware of your route distance and color code.
Security
The Tour de Steamboat organizers remind you that we are not responsible for the safety/security of your bicycle or other personal property. There will be bike racks provided at the finish zone. Please use normal caution and care when leaving your bike.
Riding Safety
SINGLE FILE IS THE RULE. Please ride in single file on ALL roads used in our event. We have very narrow shoulders, construction zones, and traffic on both rural and highway roads. We hire and ask our law enforcement along the Tour de Steamboat routes to patrol and enforce the driving behavior of motorists and the riding behavior of our riders.
Rules of the road must be followed at all times in addition to riding single file. Large groups of riders will be asked to separate, please respect this request. Bicyclists are subject to citation by law enforcement for violating state law or local ordinances. Please, be sure to obey all traffic laws and be a good ambassador for 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.
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 tail lights.
Brightly colored clothing is also suggested for riding in rainy/low-light conditions or after dark.
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 not allowed. Your sense of hearing is critical to avoiding many hazards.
- Ride single file when other vehicles need to pass. Especially in these areas;
- All of Highway 40.
- Cr 14 to the Stagecoach Aid Station and to Oak creek
- Oak Creek Canyon first 5 miles leaving Oak Creek.
- Ride in a predictable manner and never ride in the lane for oncoming traffic except when passing safely.
- 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.
SAG Support:
Volunteer and staff drivers offer SAG support along the route to transport cyclists as needed due to mechanical problems or injuries. They also carry water and generally have an air pump handy for those repairing a flat along the route. SAG occupants are NOT taken directly to the finish when picked up. If you ride a SAG, be prepared to do so for an extended period! Riders are expected to be able to ride the full route and to have bicycles that are in good enough condition to withstand the riding expectations of this tour. SAGs are not intended for use by riders who are simply tired and should not be viewed as a service to be used for other than mechanical or health related reasons.
Lack of training/conditioning or poorly maintained bicycles are not good reasons for frequent use of the SAG services provided. As mentioned, the Tour is a serious event involving altitude, elevation and weather. Please train accordingly.
Mechanical Support:
Cyclists are responsible for any charges associated with parts or repairs. And, even if they don’t ask for payment, expressing your gratitude and “feeding the tip jar” is customary and will assure future participation from our local bicycle shops.
At the Stagecoach Aid Station Switchback Sports will offer tire changes, basic shifting adjustments, basic brake adjustments, and basic troubleshooting for FREE. They will have a selection of retail products and extra services available for sale at the station for riders.
Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare will offer support to the 100 mile riders accessing the Trout Creek Aid Station and Ski Haus will be at the Coal Mine aid station.
Weather
We guarantee there will be some! The Tour de Steamboat has experienced rain, hail, high winds and extreme heat – Colorado weather is unpredictable, so be prepared to keep pedaling in whatever conditions Mother Nature sends our way. Weather in the Rocky Mountains in the middle of July typically ranges from quite warm to very hot. Temperatures in the mid 90’s are not unusual. Therefore, be very careful not to become dehydrated.
Drink BEFORE you feel thirsty and keep your water bottles filled. Each aid station will offer Skratch Hydration drink, water, bananas or pickles to assist with your electrolyte levels. Please be sure to bring and use sunscreen and wear sunglasses! Remember, temperatures, wind speeds, and the likelihood of storms increase as the day progresses, so it’s best to leave with the 7am departure time.
Occasional thunderstorms may bring heavy rain, wind, lightning and even hail followed by a sharp, if usually brief, temperature drop. We suggest checking the Weather When in doubt, be prepared with rain gear that can be put on or taken off as the need arises. Should hazardous weather develop, seek out and take shelter as appropriate.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Medical Emergencies:
On the route, your first action would be to flag down a SAG vehicle, other riders, or any law enforcement, motorist or resident along the route. If conditions warrant, contact first responders by dialing 911. If a rider is injured and cannot be safely moved from the road, direct traffic to prevent further accident or injury.
Personal Identification:
You should carry your driver’s license and medical insurance card, or photocopies of them, on your person. A number of commercial ID products are available ranging from bracelets to shoe tags. Any ID and medical information that is ON YOUR BODY will be more likely found in the event of an accident than will information in a bike bag. One of these ID products can be a very worthwhile investment. Information should include your full name, contact information for someone who is NOT on the ride with you, blood type, drug allergies, and any unique medical conditions that might affect treatment decisions such as heart conditions, diabetes, etc. You should carry this information with you in addition to your own ID information.
PREPARATION-YOURSELF AND YOUR BIKE
Rider Expectations:
We expect all riders to ride the full routes. Though SAGs are provided, as mentioned previously, they are intended for riders who become injured or who have mechanical problems.
Our expectation is that riders and their bicycles arrive in good enough condition to
complete their intended routes.
Bicycle Preparation:
Get your bike tuned up and adjusted to fit you before beginning to train. Efficient position and good body alignment will help you feel more comfortable. Poor fit is more painful than poor training.
Schedule a tune-up with your local shop several weeks before you leave on the ride. Don’t wait until the last minute. You want to have a trouble-free riding adventure! Make sure to have them check the condition and adjustment of brake pads, brake cables and gear cables as well as bearing adjustments in your hubs, headset and bottom bracket.
Tires should be checked for excessive wear and cuts and nicks. Spokes should be checked for tightness and wheels for true. Speaking again from personal experience, carbon fiber frames and rims need to be checked for cracks, even if they have not been in a fall or collision, but especially if they have been. As mentioned earlier, consider getting and packing spares for any unusual or hard to find parts your bike may use, and don’t forget the spare tubes!