Trinidad Colorado Gravel

Day 1: After meeting your guides and fellow cyclists at the Colorado Springs airport, we’ll shuttle to the start of the ride in Ludlow Colorado. This ghost town is the site of a 1914 Coalfield War called the Ludlow Massacre. Relics of the old town remain and you’ll get the chance to explore before begging the ride. Take in the views of the Spanish Peaks and Trinidad Lake too. Today’s 37 mile ride brings you from here to your lodging for the next 3 nights in downtown Trinidad. 90% of the time you’ll be on gravel roads and will enjoy a 10 mile downhill! Any of the sections that you may find too “techy” for your skills are easy to hop off your bike and skip around.

Day 2: Lollipop Loop riding! We will start and end today’s 38 miles ride at the Hilton Garden Inn. You can expect incredible scenery including mountains, valleys and pastures. 75 % of the ride will be gravel today with a picnic style lunch part way through. 

Day 3: We have a quick shuttle to the start of our ride today. It’s the most challenging ride of the tour with amazing views along the 36 miles. Our loop takes us into the Spanish Peaks wildlife area, up and down a few beautiful passes, and back to the valley where we began.  You can expect the most technical gravel day today with options to shuttle around those sections. Plan for celebrations at the day’s end and dinner all together back in Trinidad.

Day 4: Departing Trinidad, we head for the town of La Vita located in the heart of the Spanish Peaks. This small, laid-back town sits along the Scenic Highway of Legends. La Veta (translates to the vein), served as a vital lifeline a century ago; the town was originally a busy trading center, supplying the nearby area with goods. It is now home to a diverse population of artists and ranchers. Our accommodation tonight is La Veta Inn, a charming historic hotel. Today’s 25 mile ride, 90% being on gravel roads, will fill you with beauty of the mountains, large Ponderosas in their glory and landing in this unique and wonderful town.

Day 5:  One of the crown jewels of this tour is today! Explore the Great Sand Dunes National Park. These tallest dunes in North America sit at the base of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range in an absolutely spectacular setting. We’ll take the day off the bikes to hike and explore. Returning to La Veta with stories, our final dinner will be enjoyed together.

Day 6: Back to your bikes and a final day on gravel! We’ll return from La Veta riding 35 miles to Aguilar. Lunch will be enjoyed part way through the ride. We’ll finish with a big group picture and then shuttle back to Colorado Springs tired, happy and with stories to share for years!