Tour Summary

2022 Price

$3,350.00

2022 Dates

June

12-18

Sept Tour: FULL

Meals

Included:
6 Lunches
1 Group Dinner
5 Continental Brkfst

Not Included:
5 Dinners
Hot Breakfast

(Continental Breakfast items always available in Trailer: greek yogurt, cereal, bagels)

Duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Single Room

$495

Rider Limit

15 Rider Limit

Meet Time:

Gunnison, Colorado Sunday: 8:00am

After Tour:
Return: 3:00PM

I have participated in two Cycling Escapes tours and both trips were outstanding; challenging but safe routes, spectacular scenery, great support, fine lodging & dining. They are well organized and run a very professional program.
- Alan S

I know you probably get tired or more like bored of people telling you how great your company is, but I am so impressed at what you have done that I feel compelled to tell you yet again. You truly have made a big impact on the entire groups lives.
- Jane Weisen, CA

All 3 of my trips with Cycling Escapes have been great!
- Joe, TX

I've been on 3 different tours. Each route takes you off the beaten track & through stunning scenery - you choose the pace you want to ride at & the SAG van stops at regular intervals to ensure you always have the snacks & drinks you need. You'll get to ride with like-minded cycling enthusiasts & will end up making long term friendships. If you want the cycling adventure of a lifetime, look no further than Cycling Escapes.
- Gavin D, UK

What distinguishes Cycling Escapes from other tours for me is: great routes on quiet roads with no traffic and plenty of climbing, a tour leader with 11 years experience that makes all the difference.
- Bruce T, IL

Thanks Rich! What a great week of riding.
- Paul I, NJ

Thanks again for a great week!
- John W, NC

Thanks for another fun tour. You are 3 for 3 with good weather, good food and great riding.
- Debi, SC

Your cycling tours are above and beyond!
- Mark, CO

Once again a great cycling trip! Thanks for your attention to detail, your sense of caution, and the great lodging. We can't wait for the Mystery Epic Tour!
- Debra W, WA

I just got back from a ride and thought what an appropriate name Cycling Escapes is. It was a pleasure escaping from the grind for a week with such a great group of folks. Thank you.
- Jenn R

I've been on several of Cycling Escapes tours. Every one was very well organized, with accurate route sheets, excellent accommodations, great food, etc. The routes chosen, were low traffic and smooth pavement. Great support and sag vehicle available for those who needed it. Highly recommended!
- Doug D, CA

San Juan 5 Mountain Loop

Cycling Tour of Colorado

7 Days • 358 Miles • 24,000'+ • $3,350.00

Climb 5 Famous Mountain Passes in One Week
Don't let the mileage fool you! This is a challenging Colorado cycling vacation with big climbs up steep mountain passes every day. The ride begins and ends in Gunnison, tracing a loop through the old mining towns of the San Juan mountain range.

Each day we'll bike a famous Colorado mountain pass, including Wolf Creek, Red Mountain, Coal Bank, Engineer and Slumgullion, the steepest pass in Colorado. We also visit the historic mining towns of Creede, Lake City, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and 2 nights in Durango.

Day	Weekday	Ride Day	Route	Elevation Gain	Miles
12	Sunday	...	Check-in & Orientation 8:00am	---	---
	.	1	Gunnison to Lake city	3,700'	57
13	Monday	2	Lake City to South Fork	4,100'	74
14	Tuesday	3	South Fork to Pagosa Springs	3,300'	49
15	Wednesday	4	Layover Day in Durango	2,000'	0-50
16	Thursday	5	Durango to Silverton	5,800'	50
17	Friday	6	Silverton to Montrose	2,100'	62
18	Saturday	7	Montrose to Gunnison	4,800'	66
...	....	...	Total	24,000'	358

Route Map

Colorado Cycling Tour - Saturday 8:00am: Meet in Gunnison

This Colorado bike Tour starts in Gunnison, Colorado. If you are flying, we suggest you fly into Denver Friday morning, and then either take a connector flight to Gunnison, or rent a car for the week and drive there. It is a 4-5 hour drive to Gunnison from Denver.

We meet at the Holiday Inn Express in Gunnison at 8:00am Saturday morning and start the ride after a short orientation. Riders should be in Gunnison Friday evening so they are ready for the Saturday morning start.

Day 1 - Gunnison to Lake City

On day one we bike from Gunnison to Lake City, Colorado, a small mountain town nestled at the junction of the Alpine Loop and Silver Thread Scenic Byways. Today's highlights are miles of river and forest with occasional mountaintop views of the San Juans. Grades average 6-8% today with the big climb coming tomorrow.

57 miles / 3,700 ft. elevation gain

Day 2 - Lake City to South Fork

We leave Lake City, cycling toward the base of Slumgullion Pass, the steepest mountain pass in Colorado. With prolonged grades of 8-11%, Slumgullion tops out at a lung-busting 11,580'. After earning lunch and dinner for the day, we'll summit 10,898' Spring Creek Pass along the Continental Divide, before enjoying 20 miles of descent into the historic mining town of Creede, the last silver boomtown in Colorado in the 1800's.

74 miles / 4,100 ft. elevation gain

Day 3 - South Fork to Pagosa Springs

On Day 4 we'll cycle over two thousand feet on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway as we summit the Continental Divide for the second time at the top of Wolf Creek Pass (10,850'). If you've ever heard the song of the same name, you know the descent off Wolf Creek is steep! We'll pass waterfalls and scenic panoramas on our way down to Pagosa Springs, famous for their giant hot springs. After soaking in the springs, we'll shuttle a busy section of highway to Durango. Our hotel sits right in the heart of downton Durango, so you won't have to walk far to enjoy this super popular outdoors town.

49 miles / 3,300 ft. elevation gain

Day 4 - Layover Day in Durango!

Durango is a fun mountain town with lots to do and see. Choose how you want to spend your day. Walk around the quaint downtown area from our hotel. Take a historic train ride to Silverton and back. Ride one of the mountain passes surrounding the town. Rent a mountain bike and hit the Colorado Trail. Go river rafting on the river that runs through the middle of town. Go for a hike on the 100's of miles of trails. The hardest part is choosing what to do with the day!

Day 5 - Durango to Silverton

Today we will be cycling the route of the famous Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, a race where cyclists originally tried to beat the steam train over two mountain passes to the historic mining town of Silverton. Once the stomping ground of silver kings and railroad giants, Silverton survives today as one of Colorado’s most visited destinations. After summiting 10,660' Coal Bank Pass, we'll enjoy a short three mile descent before climbing back up to 10,900' Molas Divide. You've earned the stellar views as you descend 2,000' into town where the historic Grand Imperial Hotel and Handlebars Saloon await.

50 miles / 5,800 ft. elevation gain

Day 6 - Silverton to Montrose

We start the day by cycling out of Silverton along the “Million Dollar Highway”, part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway. The day starts with a climb as We ascend 11,018' Red Mountain Pass before an out-of-this-world descent into the cliff-hanging town of Ouray.After lunch in the ice-climbing capital of Colorado, we'll cruise 30 miles of downhill and flats into the town of Montrose, gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison park.

62 miles / 2,100 ft. elevation gain

Day 7 - Montrose to Gunnison

Our final day highlights the 2,000 foot deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the source of its winding river, Blue Mesa lake. A scenic side trip into this recently designated National Park will give you the chance to marvel at the depth of "Colorado's Own Grand Canyon." We then ride along Blue Mesa Lake on our way back to Gunnison and the end of our epic climbing tour!

66 miles / 4,800 ft. elevation gain

Meals:

Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour 1 group dinner is included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.

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