Royal Gorge Century, Metric & 50k
Join us on September 20th, 2014 for one of the most scenic rides you have ever experienced!
Royal Gorge Century-Leave Cañon City on HWY headed west, and climb up Eight Mile Hill. Cross the top of the plateau, and then descend the Parkdale Hill, crossing the Arkansas River at the base of the descent. If you need it, there's an Aid Station to greet you at this point. Turn south onto County Road 3 and begin a low gradient climb of 10 miles up Copper Gulch. Once reaching the top, you’ll be cruising west again toward HWY 69, and there’s three miles of hard-packed dirt to greet you. Once you hit HWY 69, turn north toward Texas Creek, which is only seven miles up the road. At Texas Creek, you’ll join HWY 50 for a 25 mile return trip to Cañon City, riding adjacent to the stunning Arkansas River. Climb up and over Skyline Drive, offering you a little more climbing just for fun. Then hit the Aid Station back at Macon Street Plaza (at this point you’ll be at 65 miles), and then head out north on 5th Street to ride the additional Red Canyon Out and Back route (see below). Google Earth Century Route File
Metric Mash-Leave the Macon Street Plaza and head west on HWY 50. You’ll start by climbing what is commonly referred to as Eight Mile, which is (you guessed it) an eight mile long gradual climb. Once atop Eight Mile, ross the top of the plateau, and then descend the Parkdale Hill, crossing the
Arkansas River at the base of the descent. If you need it, there's an Aid Station to greet you at this point. Turn south onto County Road 3 and
begin a low gradient climb of 10 miles up Copper Gulch. Once reaching the top, you’ll be cruising west again toward HWY 69, and there’s three miles of
hard-packed dirt to greet you. Once you hit HWY 69, turn north toward Texas Creek, which is only seven miles up the road. At Texas Creek, you’ll join
HWY 50 for a 25 mile return trip to Cañon City, riding adjacent to the stunning Arkansas River. On this route you’ll then climb over Skyline Drive, offering you a spectacular view of Cañon City. You're nearly back to where you started, and there's a cold beer waiting for you. Google Earth Metric Route File
Red Canyon 50k- If you’re looking for a beautiful spin, but not feeling up to a long, hard day in the saddle, this is your ride. This ride is also perfect for mountain bikes. You’ll leave the Macon Plaza, head north on 5th street, and eventually find yourself northbound in a beautiful canyon, commonly ridden by Fremont County locals. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, turkeys, and incredible views. This route takes you back in time (geologically speaking) through the Garden Park Fossil Area, where dinosaurs once roamed, on your way out towards the spires of Red Canyon Park, and then back to town. After 15 miles of gradual climbing, you’ll turn around and zip back to Cañon City. Google Earth 50k Route File
On top of all of that the leaves will be in a full on explosion of color. Cañon City is in the heart of the Colorado Banana Belt-meaning the weather will be perfect! Stop by Red Canyon Cycles for more information.
Royal Gorge Century-Leave Cañon City on HWY headed west, and climb up Eight Mile Hill. Cross the top of the plateau, and then descend the Parkdale Hill, crossing the Arkansas River at the base of the descent. If you need it, there's an Aid Station to greet you at this point. Turn south onto County Road 3 and begin a low gradient climb of 10 miles up Copper Gulch. Once reaching the top, you’ll be cruising west again toward HWY 69, and there’s three miles of hard-packed dirt to greet you. Once you hit HWY 69, turn north toward Texas Creek, which is only seven miles up the road. At Texas Creek, you’ll join HWY 50 for a 25 mile return trip to Cañon City, riding adjacent to the stunning Arkansas River. Climb up and over Skyline Drive, offering you a little more climbing just for fun. Then hit the Aid Station back at Macon Street Plaza (at this point you’ll be at 65 miles), and then head out north on 5th Street to ride the additional Red Canyon Out and Back route (see below). Google Earth Century Route File
Metric Mash-Leave the Macon Street Plaza and head west on HWY 50. You’ll start by climbing what is commonly referred to as Eight Mile, which is (you guessed it) an eight mile long gradual climb. Once atop Eight Mile, ross the top of the plateau, and then descend the Parkdale Hill, crossing the
Arkansas River at the base of the descent. If you need it, there's an Aid Station to greet you at this point. Turn south onto County Road 3 and
begin a low gradient climb of 10 miles up Copper Gulch. Once reaching the top, you’ll be cruising west again toward HWY 69, and there’s three miles of
hard-packed dirt to greet you. Once you hit HWY 69, turn north toward Texas Creek, which is only seven miles up the road. At Texas Creek, you’ll join
HWY 50 for a 25 mile return trip to Cañon City, riding adjacent to the stunning Arkansas River. On this route you’ll then climb over Skyline Drive, offering you a spectacular view of Cañon City. You're nearly back to where you started, and there's a cold beer waiting for you. Google Earth Metric Route File
Red Canyon 50k- If you’re looking for a beautiful spin, but not feeling up to a long, hard day in the saddle, this is your ride. This ride is also perfect for mountain bikes. You’ll leave the Macon Plaza, head north on 5th street, and eventually find yourself northbound in a beautiful canyon, commonly ridden by Fremont County locals. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, turkeys, and incredible views. This route takes you back in time (geologically speaking) through the Garden Park Fossil Area, where dinosaurs once roamed, on your way out towards the spires of Red Canyon Park, and then back to town. After 15 miles of gradual climbing, you’ll turn around and zip back to Cañon City. Google Earth 50k Route File
On top of all of that the leaves will be in a full on explosion of color. Cañon City is in the heart of the Colorado Banana Belt-meaning the weather will be perfect! Stop by Red Canyon Cycles for more information.
Views from the road |
Important Information*Ride Start Times/Aid Station info
*Suggested Times *Maps Routes Map * Routes Map w/Topo *Waivers -Ride Waiver- -USA Cycling Waiver- *Swag -Tshirt, lunch voucher, Micros on Macon Entry (10 samples), Aid Stations, SAG support, majestic vistas, & more. *Food -Food Vendors include Pizza Madness & Good Thyme Cafe. *Beer -Micros on Macon brewfest celebrates a number of regional craft breweries. Cap of a great ride with an afternoon of relaxation. You entry is included with your registration provides you with 10 taster tickets! |
