Event Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

State/Finish  
  The start and finish for all Mission to Ride routes (except the mountain bike loop) is Rotary Park next to Columbine Middle School on 12th Street (about one block east of Safeway) in Montrose, Colorado.
Registration  
  Registration is required for all riders. All riders must complete registration and waiver prior to riding in the event. Registration forms and waivers can be obtained on this web site (click here), they can also be requested by phone through the medical office of Dr. Lou Winkler at 249-0358, or can be obtained at various local merchants including Cascade Bicycles 21 North Cascade in Montrose Colorado.

Registration is available up until the ride, including the morning of the ride; however we are encouraging everyone to REGISTER EARLY to help us with head counts. A limited number of jerseys and T-shirts are available and may not be available to later registrants.

Completed registration forms can be mailed or dropped off at Cascade Bicycles.

A late fee of $5 will be applied to all registration received after May 9th. Refunds are not available.

Check In  
  You may check in the night before the ride at The Holiday Inn Express from 5 PM to 7 PM May 17, 2008. The Holiday Inn Express is located 1391 South Townsend Avenue. Registration & Check in are also available at Rotary Park on the morning of the event starting at 6 AM. 
Aid Stations  
  Provided roughly every 15 miles these stations will have water, Hammergel and replacement snacks such as fruit and power bars.
Support Vehicles  
  Several vehicles will be roaming the routes throughout the day; however you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your bike. The vehicles will provide rides if needed. We can assist with minor mechanical needs.
PARTY!  
  Party, picnic, aid station, registration, and concert at Rotary Park. Be there or be square. After ride food and giveaways beginning at noon and ending at 4 o'clock. Beer will not be served after 4pm.
Giveaways  
  A number of local merchants have donated merchandise that will be given away during the post ride events. This includes a bicycle donated through Cascade Bicycles.
Bag of Goodies  
  Include:

Your Jersey or T-Shirt

other freebies
Start Times  
  You may start at your own discretion however we STRONGLY urge an early start to all routes. Black Canyon Aid Station will close at NOON. No beer will be served after 4pm at Rotary Park.

Start times:

Century Ride          5:30AM to 7:30AM

Black Canyon 40s  7 AM to 9 AM

60 Mile                  7 AM to 9 AM

30 Mile                  8 AM to 10 AM
Approximate Distance between Aid Stations  
  Rotary Park to Jones Summit  ---    13 Miles

Jones Summit to Warner Point ---     8 Miles

Rotary Park to Olathe ---     16 Miles

Olathe to Pea Green ---     16 Miles
Mountain Bikers  
 

Mountain Bike Rides:

The Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association will guide two rides in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.  Be sure to pick up your registration packet before you meet the group at the trailhead.  To reach the trailhead for the rides drive north on Highway 50 towards Olathe.  Just before the first Olathe turnoff turn right on Falcon Road – look for the Gunnison Gorge NCA sign on the right.  Drive east 3+ miles.  The paved road turns to gravel then bears left before reaching the staging area.  Turn right into staging area (second parking area).  Look for the COPMOBA banner – lots of parking.  Both rides will start at 8:30 am from this trailhead. (Takes 20-25 minutes to drive to trailhead from Rotary Park.)

Mission to Ride mountain bike rides are conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Easier Ride: 

This ride is for the “ weekend warrior” mountain biker.  The riding surface is a combination of gravel road and adobe clay.  The clay surface is singletrack/ATV wide.  Elevation profile includes 350 feet of climbing and descending over a 7.5-mile route.  There is one short, steep climb, and a few short, steep descents, all of which could be walked.  Segments of the ride follow ridgetops, so if you have acrophobia this ride isn’t for you.  Be advised that even a mountain bike ride rated as “easier” requires some cardiovascular fitness.  Plan on riding for around 2 hours with regular breaks.  Kids must be at least 14 years old to participate.

Advanced Ride:

This ride is a 12+ mile advanced ride requiring excellent cardiovascular conditioning and good bike-handling skills.  Riders will do the easier ride route, but add on several miles of singletrack/jeep road riding on a trail known as Candy Cane Lane.  The riding surface is a combination of gravel road and clay to rocky trail.   

Snacks, water and energy drinks will be available before and after the rides.  Carry snacks and plenty of fluids with you on the rides.  Fluid bladder systems work really well on desert rides.