READY, SET, REACH!
PICK A WEEKEND IN COLORADO—LITERALLY ANY WEEKEND—AND ODDS ARE THAT SOMEWHERE WITHIN OUR STATE’S BOUNDARIES, YOU’LL FIND A BUNCH OF SWEATY PEOPLE SPORTING RACE BIBS, TIMING CHIPS, AND AN ARRAY OF MOISTUREWICKING, SPEEDENHANCING, HEART-RATETRACKING GEAR.
They might be on bikes or wearing skis or in kayaks. Maybe they’re just hoofing it in sneakers. It could be a snowy January day in the city or a scorcher in July on a high mountain pass. The exact details of each competition—be it a 5K, a century ride, or a backcountry ultra-grind—are mostly irrelevant. What is important to note? Friendly (albeit high-caliber) athletic competition is a way of life here in the Centennial State. Which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to help you find the best contests for your particular persuasions. With an eye toward varying geographies, disciplines, and distances, we selected more than two dozen races that truly capture the competitive spirit of Colorado. So read up, set your 2020 goals, and get you game face on. It’s go time.
FOR FANS OF THE GREAT WIDE OPEN
Pedal The Plains
When/where: September 11–13, Eastern Plains
• Discipline: Road cycling
Distance: Roughly 50 to 80 miles per day
Cycling in Colorado brings to mind the grind and rush of steep mountain passes—but not everyone digs that roller-coaster ride through thin air. Enter Pedal The Plains, a three-day tour (with an optional century) of the bucolic landscapes and agricultural strongholds of Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The route and host communities change each year, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a flat ride; in 2019, participants saw an elevation gain of more than 4,200 feet over the three days. Riders for 2020 will likely see similar climbs. Fortunately, two-wheel aficionados can. The 2020 ride will tour the northeastern plains (exact route TBD) and highlight what, for many Front Rangers, is a different way of life.
