Mission To Ride

Date

Start: Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ 5:30 AM

Address

Centennial Plaza
500 S. 1st St. Montrose, CO

Registration Closing Date

Friday, May 13, 2011 @ 12:00 PM PST

Brief Description

Join us for a wonderful spring cycling event in a beautiful part of Colorado. This is a non competitive bicycling tour for riders of all abilities. Road and mountain routes are offered. The Century Ride and 40 mile road routes feature the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Montrose Medical Mission (a free medical clinic)

Check-in

You may check-in either Saturday evening May 14th from 5pm until 7pm at Montrose Food&Wine Festival Store, 316 East Main, or the morning of the event at Centennial Plaza.

Start Times

Start at your own discretion however we STRONGLY urge an early start to all routes. Mass Start! Participation is elective. Main St. toward the Black Canyon. Start @ 7:45 AM. If riding the 30 or 60 mile routes you can start but will need to "turn back " to get to your respective routes!
Century-------5:30AM to 7:30AM
40----7 AM to 9 AM
60 Mile------- 7 AM to 9 AM
30 Mile------- 8 AM to 10 AM
Mountain Bike Rides 830 AM @ the trailhead

Aid Stations

Aid stations will be placed at appropriate intervals and will be stocked with water, sports drinks and other replacemant snacks. The aid stations at the Black Canyon will be closed at noon so we STRONGLY urge all riders to get an early start.

Jersey

Our jerseys are very popular, unique each year and always sell out, so sign up early! Designed by our fashion team and made by Voler. Our jerseys will enhance your bicycling wardrobe! This year's design will soon be available to view at our web site.

Century Route

This is a challenging ride that incorporates an arduous early morning climb to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park where the rider will be rewarded with breathtaking views. Riding along the south rim the rider will do an "out & back" to Warner Point where we enjoy an awe inspiring aide station. A thrilling, fast descent back into town awaits. With most of the climbing done for the day, the riders head north. The 40 and 60 miles routes are the Century. Go to mapmyride.com.

40 Mile Route

Incorporates the Black Canyon National Park but returns to town early, without the extra mileage of a century. This is a challenging but very satisfying route, and any rider who finishes this route has accomplished a significant ride. This is the first leg of the Century. Go to mapmyride.com

60 Mile Loop

This route simply eliminates the out and back to the Black Canyon. This route is also the second leg of the Century ride. This is a mellow road ride that gives riders a great tour. Beautiful scenic views, a few short hills and rural roads offer an invitation to the rider who wants miles without a big climb. Three aide stations are provided. Go to mapmyride.com

30 Mile Route

The route is a simple out and back to Olathe and along the same rural roads as the other routes but shorter. A few short hills offer some challenge yet the mileage is reasonable. The rider will enjoy the beauty of Western Colorado along this relaxed ride. This is a favorite local ride. Go to MapMy Ride.com for map.

Mountain Bike Rides

The Colorado Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) will guide two rides in the Gunnison Gorge National Convservation Area. BE SURE TO PICK UP YOU REGISTRATION MATERIAL BEFORE YOU MEET THE GROUP AT THE TRAILHEAD. Both rides will start from the staging area @ 8:30 AM. It Will take ~30 minutes to drive from Centennial Plaza. Mission To Ride mountin bike rides are conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau Land Management.

Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride

The ride is for the "weekend warrior." A 7 1/2 mile ride on single track of gravel and adobe clay. A fun ride that follows some ridgetops (if you have acrophobia this ride isn't for you) . You will ride for about 2 hours and should be in good cardiovascular shape. Kids need to be at least 14 and have good mtn bike skills to participate. Route marking and ride support provided by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA).

Advance Mountain Bike Ride

This ride will continue after the intermediate ride adding another 3 1/2 miles. This ride requires excellent mtn bike skills and cardiovascular fitness. Riders start with the easier route but then add on the fun and wild Eagle Valley trail.

Mtn Bike driving directions

Drive north out of Montrose on Hwy 50 towards Olathe, watch for Gunnison Gorge NCA sign on the R side of road. Just before Olathe turn R onto Falcon Rd. Travel east on Falcon Rd. for 3 1/2 miles, it turns into gravel and bears L before the staging area. Turn R into staging area and look for COPMOBA banner.

After Ride: Bubbles, Beer and BBQ!

We have teamed up with Montrose Wine and Food Festival! The after ride event is the Sunday Wine and Festival! Your regestration includes this event! Enjoy multiple food vendors, sample beers from local breweries, taste delicious wines form area wineries and enjoy great entertainment! You can't miss this! Merchandise give-aways, including a TREK bike, and other great freebies will be given out. We cannot serve past 3:30PM.

Lodging

Please visit montrosechamber.com for lodging and area information. Our host hotel is Holiday Inn ExpressHotel and Suites.

Refunds

There are no refunds or "rainchecks"

Montrose Events

Enjoy great foood and wines "Montrose Wine and Food Festival" May 13th-15th, more info at montrosewinefestival.com. Register early for discounts at participating restuarants and bars! Do you run too? Go to sjmr.org/ for information on The "Black Canyon Ascent" held On Saturday May 14th, a primo event!

Children's Bicycle Rodeo

A bicycle safety rode will be presented for children up to 16 years old. Lots of safety pointers, freebies and a "kids ride" to follow completion of the rodeo. Register the morning of the event. Will be held on S.1st St. Between Park and Uncompahgre Streets. This is Presented by the Montrose Police Department and Montrose Area Bike Association.

Additional Information

The Mission to Ride will feature multiple routes to satisfy riders of all levels. "Roadbikerider.com" has called us "Colorados's most beautiful century". Beware however, the century ride is not for the faint of heart, it is a difficult ride characterized by a steep climb, high winds and some poor pavement. Some call it the "Hell of the West" Only the strongest riders can finish the century, it is used by many as training for later events. The routes utilize both state and county roads. These routes are paved, either road bikes or mountain bikes are appropriate. Although support and sag will be available, we encourage all riders to have themselves and their bikes in good condition prior to ride. All riders must be able to fix their own flats. All routes (except mountain bike route) begin and end at Rotary Park (Columbine Middle School) in Montrose. The routes "overlap" and use mutual aid stations. Mission to ride has partnered with Montrose Wine and Food Festival! Come to Montrose for the weekend to enjoy both events. Go to montrosewinefestival.com

Map

Photos