Across State Bicycle Tours: California – Colorado

2012

 Also see Charity Bike Rides

California

Death Valley Loop 1, 2 & 3 — Van-supported bicycle tour of the Death Valley leaves from Las Vegas and covers a 318-mile route through desert landscapes. Offered by the non-profit Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: March 10-16, 2012; March 17-23, 2012; March 24-30, 2012.

Sierra Cascade – A 2,570-mile self-contained bicycle tour from San Diego to Bellingham, WA, passing through some of the western states most stunning national parks. Presented by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: May 26 – July 25, 2012.

Sierra to the Sea Bicycle Tour covers some 420 miles from the Mother Lode in the Sierra Nevada, through the Sacramento and Napa Valleys to the Pacific Coast, ending at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. The eight-day ride is designed for experienced cyclists and is limited to 130 riders. Dates: June 16-23, 2012. Contact the Almaden Cycle Touring Club’s website for information and registration (registration opens Jan. 17, 2012).

AIDS Lifecycle is 545-mile fund-raiser bike ride from San Francisco Los Angeles. Sponsored by San Francisco AIDS Foundation and L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. Participants must raise a minimum $3,000. Dates: June 3-9, 2012.

Cycle the Sierras — This is the inaugural year for the 300-mile loop bike tour around the Sierra Nevadas. The ride starts and ends in Nevada City, with overnights in Coloma, Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, and Sierraville. As expected, 1,500 to nearly 9,000 feet of climbing daily. Fully supported. Participates in “1% for the Planet.” Dates: June 23-27, 2012.

Emigrant Trails Bike Trek is three days of cycling through the Napa Valley. It’s a fund-raiser for Breathe California. Limited to 500 cyclists who must raise $450 in donations. Dates: September.

California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour is a fund-raiser bike ride for the Arthritis Foundation. Two options — 6-day, 355-mile ride from San Francisco to Buellton or if your schedule permits, an 8-day, 525 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Dates: Sept. 9 – 16, 2012.

Wine & Harvest — Eat, drink, ride, repeat. This fully supported bike tour visits wineries, farmers’ markets and farms in the north central valleys of California. The 260-mile ride, with longer options, starts in Sausalito.  Presented by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: Sept. 16-23, 2012.

HI USA Christmas Bike Ridetakes advantage of Southern California’s warm, dry weather for this 400-mile bike tour through the desert, mountains and seacoast in the San Diego area. Most days about 65 miles; one day of 100 miles. Dates: December 26-31, 2011. Sponsored by Hostelling International San Diego.

See also —

Sea Otter Classic — See more at California Bike Ride Calendar

Colorado

Iron Horse Classic — Three days of bicycling events in Durango, featuring a 50-mile bike tour, road race, criterium, and mountain bike race. The bike ride to Silverton caps at 2,500 cyclists; registration opens Dec. 1, 2011. Dates: May 26-28, 2012.

The Denver Post 2012 Ride the Rockies –  The 27th anniversary bike tour crosses 5 mountain passes as it undertakes the 442-mile route from Gunnison to Fort Collins. Overnights in Hotchkiss, Carbondale, Leadville, Granby and Estes Park. Visits to Gunnison and Rocky Mountain national parks. Dates: June 10 – 16, 2012.

The 2012 Bicycle Tour of Colorado — The 18th edition of this 7-day bicycle tour of Colorado also includes a few days in Wyoming. The loop bike tour starts in Fort Collins with overnights in Laramie and Saratoga, Wyoming, followed by a return to Colorado in host cities Crain, Steamboat Springs and Walden. Note that the tour begins the day after the “Ride the Rockies” ends. Limited to 1,500 cyclists. Dates: June 17 – 23, 2012.

Family Fun – Colorado — This family-oriented, fully supported bike tour of the Silverthorne area includes 126 miles of bicycling. Offered by the non-profit Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: Aug. 4-9, 2012.

Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour — This is the sixth year for this 497-mile bike tour, which will wind through the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. The bike ride loop starts and ends in Pagosa Springs, with overnights in Creed, Gunnison, Montrose, Telluride (day off), and Mancos.  (Registration caps at 500.) Dates: August 5 – 12, 2012.

Colorado Wildflowers and Rivers — A fully supported bicycle tour (catered meals) hosted by the non-profit Adventure Cycling Association leaves Silverthorne for 161 miles in Summit County. Dates: Aug. 11-17, 2012

Pueblos to Peaks — See New Mexico listing. Dates: Aug. 25 – Sept. 3, 2012.

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