The Denver Post

Ride the Rockies bike tour canceled for 2024; future remains uncertain

Event was founded in 1986 by Denver Post, sold in 2021

- By John Meyer jmeyer@ denverpost. com

The Ride the Rockies Bicycle Tour, a cherished institutio­n in Colorado’s cycling community for more than three decades, has been canceled for 2024 due to lack of interest, according to the event’s website.

Founded by The Denver Post in 1986, Ride the Rockies was a fully supported tour that took cycling enthusiast­s to dozens of locations around the state and over many high mountain passes over the years. The Post sold the event in 2021 to a subsidiary of Gannett USA Today, Ventures Endurance Events.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the towns, participan­ts, sponsors, crew, volunteers, and supporters who have had a role in making this ride so special for the past 37 years,” the event website states.

Efforts to reach tour officials for more informatio­n resulted only inane mail repeating the statement on the website.

It i s unknown whether there will be an attempt to bring the event back next year in some f orm, o r to sell it to another organizer. Officials are “assessing the best o ptions f or t his beloved ride,” a ccording t o the website.

At its peak, the six- day event attracted more than 2,000 cyclists annually for rides of 60 to 80 miles per day. It supported nonprofits in the more than 50 towns it visited over the years.

The website says refunds for those who registered for this year’s tour will be automatica­lly processed within 60 days of submission through En motive, an event registrati­on website. Registrant­s also will receive a commemorat­ive jersey “as a memento and token of our deep appreciati­on.”

 ?? HYOUNG CHANG — DENVER POST FILE ?? A cyclist begins a climb in the Black Canyon area during Ride the Rockies in 2019 on a stage that took riders from Hotchkiss to Gunnison. Ride the Rockies has been canceled for 2024.
HYOUNG CHANG — DENVER POST FILE A cyclist begins a climb in the Black Canyon area during Ride the Rockies in 2019 on a stage that took riders from Hotchkiss to Gunnison. Ride the Rockies has been canceled for 2024.

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