Montrose Association of Commerce & Tourism Details Three Classic Road Rides in Montrose, Colo.
Montrose. Colo., was recently selected as a host city for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which leads 135 of the world’s best cyclists from Durango to Denver in August. According to Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism, one doesn’t have to be a pro to enjoy the epic cycling scene in Montrose. Here, local experts share three great Montrose road rides.
Montrose, Colo., was recently selected as a host city for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, known for its breathtaking altitudes and treacherous climbs. Montrose will host the riders on Aug. 21 for the second stage of the race, which leads 135 of the world’s best cyclists from Durango to Denver, Aug. 20-26.
Jenni Sopsic, Executive Director of the Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism (MACT), says the selection proves what locals have known all along – the city has an epic cycling scene. “With the USA Pro Challenge coming through Montrose, the secret is out – Montrose is one of the best places in the west to cycle! And, you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the routes around Montrose.”
Fred Matheny, a local cycling expert, says Montrose is unique because it has miles of paved, rural farm and ranch roads that are ideal for cycling. “These picturesque roads roll over mesas and into irrigated valleys from Montrose north to Delta on both sides of Colorado Highway 50,” says Matheny. “From Delta, an additional network of roads extends north to Cedaredge and east to Hotchkiss, Paonia and Crawford. From Montrose rides from 10 miles to 200 are possible.”
Here, Matheny shares three favorite Montrose road rides. Maps with specific directions are available at Cascade Bicycles in downtown Montrose and at the Visitors Center.
- Black Canyon National Park. 40 miles. 3500 vertical feet of elevation gain. Entry fee. Water available at the Visitor Center.
Leave downtown Montrose and ride east gradually uphill seven miles on Highway 50 to the Black Canyon turn-off. Turn left on highway 347 and begin a six-mile climb to the entrance of Black Canyon National Park. The climb is steep for a mile, levels off briefly through pastures on Bostwick Park and finishes with six- to-seven percent grades to the entrance station. Continue on the Park’s Rim Road for six miles to High Point. The pavement is good and the road twists and turns with rolling, moderate climbs. It offers spectacular views of the canyon at overlooks. The descent back to Highway 50 is fast but not technical except for a fast sweeping left-hander near the bottom. Caution is advised. Watch out for deer!
- The Town Loop. 12-35 miles
This gentle ride with short hills starts at the Montrose Pavilion and heads southeast on rural roads then turns west on Kinikin road, crosses the Uncompahgre River and Highway 550 and accesses Sims Mesa via two short, but steep, climbs on Racine and Ranger Roads. A fast descent and a gradual downhill past Cobble Creek golf course brings you out to West Oak Grove Road. You can return to town via Chipeta Road, or you can opt to head west on Dave Wood Road and return to town on Highway 90 via the descent of Ashenfelter Hill.
- High Mesa Loop 28-35 miles
Leave Montrose from Highway 50 and Hillcrest then zig-zag north on rural roads across North Mesa. The route follows 64.00 Road to Falcon Road where it turns west and enters the small town of Olathe. Climb west out of town on Route 348 and turn back to the south at the top of the hill. From there it’s another short, steep climb onto High Mesa, a fast descent to historic Coal Creek School and a longer climb onto Franklin Mesa. Turn left on Spring Creek Road and ride east downhill and with a tailwind back into town.
About Montrose (www.visitmontrose.com)
Montrose is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado. Montrose is the gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, whose North Vista Trail was recently named a “Top 10 Canyon Hike in the U.S. Parks” by National Geographic. Additionally, Montrose was named to Outdoor Life’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen. Seventy-three percent of the land surrounding Montrose is public land, making it a Mecca for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, road biking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
About the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com)
For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure – more than two miles in elevation. One of the largest cycling events in United States history, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will feature the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery. Referred to as “America’s Race,” the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday”, and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More than 1 million spectators are expected to once again line the route to see if Levi Leipheimer will defend his title as reigning champion, while millions more around the world watch the race live on television and online through the Tour Tracker.
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