HeartCycle Bicycle Touring Club
Cowboy Country Tour
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Orientation meeting Saturday July 16, 2016. Riding: Sunday July 17 –
Saturday July 23. Departure Saturday July 23.
John Penick, Fred Yu SAGs: Mayoma Pendergast, Kathleen Schindler
400-450 miles, 25,000 – 30,000 ft climbing
Advanced
30
Total: $1,225 (double occupancy). $400 at Registration. Balance due.4/16/16.
Cowboy Up! Ride through some of the best scenery in Wyoming and Colorado. We will be
cycling on predominantly quiet roads, mostly off the beaten tourist track, where the spirit
of the west is strong. We start and end in Laramie, WY (home of the University of Wyoming
Cowboys and once a way station on the Overland Trail from Atchison, KS to Sacramento,
CA). We will cross the Continental Divide twice, watch for moose, elk, pronghorn and deer
(and the elusive jackalope), and have a day off in Steamboat Springs, CO. Natural hot
springs will be available in Steamboat Springs and Saratoga, WY. The final night of the tour
will be at the historic Saratoga Resort and Spa before we return to Laramie. The final day
of the tour will include an alpine crossing of the Snowy Range below the stunning face of
Medicine Bow Peak, at 10,840’, followed by a long descent and finish across the Laramie
Plains.
For a video of some of the tour, click on this link: Watch Video
Saturday, July 16 — Arrive in Laramie, WY. Introductory meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 — Laramie, WY to Walden, CO; 66 miles/3036’ vertical. We leave Laramie,
heading SW across the plains and then, at Woods Landing, into the first climb up the east
side of the Snowy Range. Descending the west side, we cross the state line into Colorado
and enter the expanse of North Park. Walden, our destination, sits at 8100’ in the middle of
North Park.
Monday, July 18 — Walden, CO to Kremmling, CO; 78 miles/3420’ vertical. Leaving North
Park, we climb Willow Creek Pass, crossing the Continental Divide and descending through
a beautiful valley with views of the Never Summer Range and the Willow Creek valley. We
ride through Hot Sulphur Springs and Byers Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, on the
way to Kremmling, a ranching town in Middle Park.
Tuesday, July 19 — Kremmling, CO to Steamboat Springs, CO; 70 miles/4080’ vertical.
Today’s route climbs Gore Pass, a beautiful, out of the way roadway with open views at the
top and the chance of sighting moose or elk. We pass through Toponas, Yampa and
Phippsburg on the way to Steamboat. We will visit the large reservoir at the Stagecoach
Recreational Area before arriving in Steamboat.
Wednesday, July 20 — Option day: Steamboat Springs offers a full menu of leisure
activities: e.g., shopping, mountain biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning,
or soak in the hot springs in town or at Strawberry Park (clothing optional after dark).
There will be an optional ride – one lap of the 45 mile Steamboat Circuit featured in the
USA Pro Challenge -- and a group dinner in the evening.
Thursday, July 21 — Steamboat Springs, CO to Walden, CO. 56 miles, 4490’ vertical. The
day begins with an ascent of Rabbit Ears Pass. After rolling for seven miles between the
west and east summits of the pass, we descend back into North Park and revisit Walden.
Friday, July 22 — Walden, CO to Saratoga, WY; 68 miles, 2660’ vertical. Today we return to
WY, passing through ranch country. The air will be redolent of sage. Time to look forward
to our hotel, which features a rich western ambiance and 4 natural hot springs pools.
Bring a swimsuit.
Saturday, July 23 — Saratoga, WY to Laramie, WY; 80 miles/5620’ vertical. After a flat
warm up leaving Saratoga, we cross the Snowy Range at Snowy Range Pass, 10840’. The
summit of the pass is dominated by Medicine Bow Peak, a magical sight. Laramie awaits
after a long descent and a traverse of the Laramie Plains. Once back at the hotel, showers
will be available. You will be responsible for your own arrangements if you wish to stay an
additional night.
Maps, Cue sheets, and GPX files will be provided to tour participants.
For further information, please contact John Penick ([email protected]) (203-232-8946)
or Fred Yu ([email protected]) (303-264-7373).