CRESTED BUTTE, Colorado (January 15, 2026) — Colorado’s Ride will return in August 2026 with a redesigned five-day route that showcases some of the state’s most scenic and challenging road cycling, while continuing to emphasize community and connection over scale.
The fourth edition of the event is scheduled for August 10–14, 2026, with the tour beginning and ending in Crested Butte. Riders will travel through Buena Vista, Salida, and Gunnison, covering high-altitude terrain in the heart of the central Rockies.
Approximately 350 cyclists from across the United States are expected to participate. The fully supported tour includes daily rides, stocked aid stations, and overnight camping in each host community, creating what organizers describe as a rolling village that moves from town to town.
Event director Bill Plock said the tour’s relatively small size is intentional.
“What makes Colorado’s Ride special is the camaraderie,” Plock said. “Because we’re a smaller tour, riders really get to know each other over the course of the week. By the end, it feels like a moving community.”
A highlight of the 2026 route includes a ride toward Gunnison and the Black Canyon area, offering expansive views and terrain that reflect the rugged character of Colorado cycling.
Safety remains a core focus of the event. Colorado’s Ride works with the Colorado State Patrol to provide professional road support, while experienced staff and volunteers assist riders throughout the week. The tour also partners with local non-profit organizations, whose volunteers support the route and benefit directly from the event.
In addition to the ride itself, participating teams raise money for charitable causes of their choosing, extending the tour’s impact beyond the road and into the communities it passes through.
The 2026 event is presented by CommonSpirit, whose support helps keep the tour focused on wellness, community engagement, and giving back.
With its blend of alpine scenery, manageable scale, and emphasis on connection, Colorado’s Ride continues to carve out a niche as a community-driven alternative to larger cycling tours.
More information, including registration and volunteer opportunities, is available at coloradosride.com.
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