Colorado Springs Selected As Host Community For The 2013 Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour; The Finish Of The Seven-Day Race Will Be At The Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Colorado Springs, February 4----------Colorado Springs won’t be without a major bicycle race this summer after all.

Colorado Springs has been selected as one of seven communities to host this year's Ride The Rockies Tour tour, scheduled June 8-15, 2013. The city will host some 2,000 riders and their bikes on June 15 along with the finish to the statewide race.

Registration is open to any cyclist at: www.ridetherockies.com

“After thirteen years, we were long overdue for a return to Colorado Springs,” says tour director Chandler Smith. “The Cheyenne Mountain Resort will make a beautiful backdrop for our finish line festivities in the city.”

A founding member of Colorado’s much-celebrated bike culture announced the plans for 2013 today.  

The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, presented again by Wells Fargo, unveiled a route that spans 513 miles between Telluride and Colorado Springs.

“We look forward to touring Southwest Colorado where cyclists will be treated to seven inspiring days on their bike,” said Chandler Smith, Director of Ride The Rockies. “Climbs over Lizard Head and Wolf Creek Pass as well as a trek over the Royal Gorge Bridge will give cyclists a real sense of accomplishment.”

Starting in Telluride on June 9, cyclists will pedal over three legendary mountain passes and over the highest suspension bridge in the U.S. to complete the seven-day trek.  The full 2013 route is:

Every year, riders from all walks of life meet in Colorado to ride bikes, celebrate with new and old friends, and soak in some of the best communities Colorado has to offer.

“Colorado is becoming known worldwide as a premier cycling destination and Ride The Rockies is a big part of the reason,” said Nathan Christian, Wells Fargo’s regional president for Colorado. “This signature tour showcases our fabulous mountains, boosts our economy, and provides much-needed funding for local charities. On behalf of Wells Fargo, I’d like to thank the tour organizers and volunteers for all of your hard work to make this tour such a success, and send our best to the riders.”

Starting in Telluride on June 8th, 2000 cyclists will pedal over three legendary mountain passes, over the highest suspension bridge in the U.S. and pedal for seven days. Ride The Rockies will then travel to Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Alamosa, Salida, Cañon City and finish in Colorado Springs for the tour end finale on June 15. This will be the third time in the 28-year history of Ride The Rockies that Colorado Springs has been chosen as a host community. The city hosted the grand finish in 1996 and 1999.

While the tour route changes each year, the benefits and responsibilities of the host communities remain the same. Benefits include publicity generated, positive economic impact, fund-raising opportunities and a grant provided to an eligible non-profit agency in each host town by The Denver Post Community Foundation. In 2012, cyclists spent an average of $250,000 in a 24-hour time period in each town. Many cyclists also plan to return as tourists. Host communities support the tour by providing lodging, community meals and entertainment for the cyclists.

Over 4,000 applications are expected for the 2,000 spots available for this year's ride. Riders on past Ride The Rockies have represented all 50 states and 18 foreign countries. Ride The Rockies is a non-competitive event open to cyclists of all ages, and riders are encouraged to ride at their own pace.

Denver Post Community Foundation will be awarding grants in each host community during the 28th annual Denver Post Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour, June 8-15. These grants will support local nonprofit agencies with programs serving children, youth, recreation, and literacy efforts.

Beginning in 2001, agencies from each of the towns on Ride The Rockies route were invited to apply for funding as part of the Ride The Rockies community grant program. Over the past twelve years, a total of 88 grants have been distributed, totaling over $480,000. The grants are awarded in each community on the same day the cyclists are in town.

“Ride The Rockies’ host communities are so hospitable and gracious,” says Chandler Smith, Tour Director.  “Our grant program is a rather simple, but very genuine way of saying thanks. 

Grant applications are available only to nonprofit agencies in towns where Ride The Rockies makes an overnight stop or finishes. These towns include: Telluride, Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Alamosa, Salida, Cañon City and Colorado Springs. Award announcements for the 2013 Denver Post Community Foundation/Ride The Rockies grant program will be made in mid-April.

Denver Post Community strives to improve and enrich the quality of life of the communities it serves through support of programs that benefit children and youth; arts and culture; education and literacy; and the provision of basic human services. For more information on these programs, please visit www.denverpostcommunity.com.

 For more information or to request a grant application, please contact Elizabeth Norris, Community Relations Manager, at (303) 954-6703 or enorris@denverpost.com, or visit www.ridetherockies.com.

In Colorado Springs, Contact:

Doug Price, Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (719) 685-7633

Cheryl McCullough, Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (719) 685-7642

Visit Us At: www.coloradospringssports.org