Tour de Steamboat is excited to offer two gravel routes in addition to our three historic road routes. Each route offers a fun and challenging day for all members of your group or family and showcases Northwest Colorado’s beautiful mountains, forests, rivers, ranch land, and historic communities.
The Elevation is as critical an aspect to the Tour de Steamboat as distance. Riders should prepare themselves accordingly.
Gravel Routes
100 mile Bingham Built Gravel Gruel
Riders will head out of town on pavement over Rabbit Ears Pass before turning right onto dirt into the Buffalo Park. This route heads through National Forest land coming out to an aid station at the bottom of Gore Pass. Riders will travel along Highway 134 for a few miles before hitting the dirt again returning to Steamboat Springs via Lynx Pass, Stagecoach Reservoir, Sarvis Creek and County Road 14. Riders return via pavement to Steamboat on River Road. E-bikes are NOT permitted.
Elevation Gain: 7,137 Ft
Actual Mileage: 98.1 Miles
Please be prepared to fix your own flats, repair your own bike and carry enough fluids and energy to support yourself between aid stations up to 35 miles apart. Full gravel ride attitude applies, this is for experienced and prepared riders only as SAG support will be minimal between aid stations.
Before registering for the gravel ride keep in mind the following:
- This is an extremely remote area. Always be aware of the distance to the next checkpoint, and be prepared to travel that distance with the supplies you carry.
- Minimum tire size recommended is 34 mm.
- Participants are responsible for their personal well-being and will have to make their own informed decisions. If you do not feel you are prepared to meet such a challenge, please consider an alternative route.
- All changes into and out of this route must be made prior to July 12th to assist in our organization and planning.
50 Mile Honey Stinger Gravel Ride *New (Pending Permitting)
The 50-mile gravel ride is the perfect entry-level gravel ride for most abilities and features a challenging yet rewarding terrain, truly a solid mix of pavement, gravel, and trails this route showcases a bit of it all! Riders all head out of town together where over the next 10 miles various routes spin-off. The 50-mile gravel ride will follow the Sidney peak ride route where there is an option to go to the Sidney peak aid station or simply proceed out the back entrance of Sidney Peak Ranch to road 35 for less than a mile and proceed on dirt thru the White Cotton area, crossing 131 and proceeding south on “the sneaky road” back to CR 14 and the Stagecoach wetlands area for your first official aid station. From the aid station, you will traverse the south side of Stagecoach reservoir along the shore trail down to Sarvis Creek and into Pleasant Valley where riders continue North home via 14 “extreme” back to River Road and into town. E-bikes are NOT permitted.
Recommended tire size: 28-36 c. with moderate tread
Elevation gain: 2624ft
Actual Mileage: 54.5 miles
Road Routes
* 116 road ride has been suspended see FAQ
66-mile Glas Deffryn Ranch Yampa Loop
This route takes the rider through several beautiful ranching towns and will explore the base of the Flat Tops mountain range. Riders will go through Stagecoach before diverting south to Phippsburg. The route connects with the paved back roads along the base of the Flat Tops to Yampa, the “Gateway to the Flat Tops.” The turn around is at the aid station in Yampa. Riders return to Steamboat via Oak Creek and the Oak Creek Canyon before following the scenic River Road to the Finish. E-bikes are NOT permitted.
Elevation Gain: 3,309 ft.
44-mile Mountain Valley Bank Oak Creek Loop
The 44-mile ride takes riders south over Yellow Jacket Pass to Stagecoach Reservoir. Riders will continue west and turn north to Oak Creek and then on down the canyon to River Road and return the back way to Steamboat. E-bikes permitted.
Elevation Gain: 1,846 ft.
26-mile Farmers Insurance Sidney Peak Loop
This family-oriented Sidney Peak loop takes riders to Sidney Peak Ranch just south of Steamboat on CO131. Enjoy the great views from the aid station at the end of the road before returning to Steamboat via River Road. E-bikes permitted.
Elevation Gain: 1030 ft.
NOTE: All roads are open to public traffic. For your safety, it is imperative that you be constantly aware of your surroundings. Therefore, headphones/earbuds are strictly forbidden.
SAG, Safety and Medical Support
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.
SAG support is intended for riders needing medical attention or extra assistance, not for moving ahead on the course or making up for poor training, missed aid station cut-offs or to make up for a late start. Please plan accordingly with proper training, knowledge of cut off times, course closure times and good legs and attitude! Our volunteer drivers are all exceptionally nice and we hope they will not be taken advantage of. Please know this is a moderately difficult ride, train accordingly, know your hydration and energy needs and plan ahead!
Click here for what to expect at the aid stations.