Colorado Classic Bike Race came to Vail Thursday, Aug 16th, and Friday, Aug 17th.  We are lucky to live in a community where fantastic sporting events take place on a regular basis.

For this race, there are 178 riders both men and women representing some of the best teams in the world.  15 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams.  It’s considered one of the largest races in North America in 2018.

Stage 1 is a circuit race looping riders through main Vail Village and the south side neighborhoods from the Golf Course to Matterhorn.  Yes, there are many golf courses in the Vail Valley, and we have a lovely one here in Vail.  The loop or circuit is 8.8 miles.

A circuit race is a mass start-meaning everyone goes at the same time, and they loop around the course several times. It’s fun as a spectator because they will go by your fixed location several times.  It’s a one-day event so you will get all of the packed action tomorrow in Vail.  You need to get into Vail before 9 because they will shut down all the local roads.  Plan on staying past 3.

On Friday the race is the Time Trail Race which is legendary in the cycling world.  It’s 10 miles and 1,574 vertical feet.  As any local knows it’s a tough ride and watching these cyclists crush it is an amazing feat and fun to watch. There will be people who camped out all day watching the race, and yes, there will be parties.  Yes, Vail locals will carry speakers on their backs along with DJ equipment and of course coolers.  If you are not that ambitious, you can drive up the pass to shrine mountain pass turn off, park and walk down to the finish.

UPDATE FROM THE RACE: The race was a Black Diamond experience!  Circuit races are fun since you get to see the riders a couple times in a row and you can bop between the different area for an enhanced experience. I’m hoping next year the race will be in Vail again!

If you want more info, you can go to coloradoclassic.com. You can even get the Colorado Classic Tour Tracker App.

Questions let me know! Email