With a Tour de France-style event, a bike-sharing program, several cyclist festivals and races, and 850 miles of bike rails, all happening in Denver this summer, the American city has all the chances to become one of the best bike cities in United States.
To celebrate National Bike Month, Visit Denver revealed top 10 reasons why Denver is among the best cities to ride a bike.
1. Denver B-cycle
Denver’ pioneering bike-sharing program, established in April 2010 as Denver B-cycle, is the first event of its kind in the country. The program is open to all, very easy to follow, cheap and fun. All you need to do is to pick up a bike at one of the 50 stations around town and drop it at another. For this event, Denver provides 850 miles of paved, off-street bike trails, which can be easily explored with a daily pass that costs only $8. The rides under 30 minutes are free, while those of one hour are just a dollar.
2. USA Pro Challenge
Taking place August 20-26 with the final stage in Denver, USA Pro Challenge is a seven-day race through America’s most beautiful scenery. 135 of the world’s top cyclists will speed across 518 miles, visiting 12 official host cities on an exciting course. After last year’s undisputed success, USA Pro Challenge has become one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history. Moreover, “America’s Race” promises to surpass expectations this year, as cyclists will race for an overall victory. The race will be finished near the Colorado Capitol Building in Downtown Denver.
3. Denver Cruiser Ride
Denver Cruiser Ride is an exciting bike event taking place every year on the streets of Denver, each Wednesday form May 16 to September 26. Following a seven-year tradition, the weekly rides are, as they say- “About The Bikes”, “About The People” and definitely “About The Fun”, each of them boasting a different theme. This summer starting with mid-July, the Civic Centre Conservancy and Denver Cruisers are organizing several festivities consisting of free “Bike-in” movies at Civic Center Park and a celebratory atmosphere with gourmet food trucks before each show.
4. Mountain Biking Adventures
Denver and its charming surroundings offer some of the best destinations for biking adventurers. Both the spectacular Red Rock Amphitheatre and Park, famous for its enthralling summer concerts, as well as The Rocky Mountains, are among the finest venues for two-wheel escapades. One of the most popular rides in the area is the Red Rock Trail, providing some of the best views of the Denver skyline and the 300-foot-tall red sandstone columns.
5. Denver Beer Company’s Incredible Pedal IPA
The Denver Beer Company (DBC) together with Bike Denver, have created an original entertaining event – Incredible Pedal IPA, where cyclists have to pedal a bicycle-powered mill—designed by Denver’s Salvagetti Bike Shop, in order to procure their beer.
6. Denver Bike Tours
Aiming to encourage cycling and to provide unforgettable outdoor experiences, four friends sharing the same passion, have created the Denver Bike Tours. The project includes both mountain and city bike tours, lessons, custom rides, bike maintenance classes and family fun rides.
7. Denver Century Ride
Taking place on Sunday, June 17, Denver Century Ride is a great opportunity to spend Father’s Day outdoor. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate or an enthusiastic cyclist, you are welcome to take part in one of Denver Century Ride’s courses. The money raised from the registrations ($10 each) will be donated to Bike Denver to improve cycling access throughout the Metro area.
8. Moonlight Classic
Rejoicing a 20-year tradition of nighttime riding, Moonlight Classic will take place on July 14, taking riders on a relaxing 10-mile journey through Denver’s most representative and historic areas. Presented by Kaiser Permanente, the InnovAge Moonlight Classic begins at 8.30 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol, ending in the same place at 2.00 a.m. After the ride, all partakers are expected with games, music and entertainment at Pajama Party and Cycling Expo. The event serves as both awareness and support to programs that encourage the elderly to develop an independent respectable life in their own homes and communities.
9. Urban Assault Ride
Representing the biggest Bicycle Obstacle Event series in the country, Urban Assault Ride is an entertaining race, where co-players have to discover the city’s “checkpoints” on their bikes. Once a team finds a checkpoint, all the members have to drop their bikes to complete an exciting obstacle course before hitting the streets for more. The event takes place on July 22.
10. Tour de Fat
“Would you trade your car for a bike?” With this statement in mind, everyone is expected to attend one of the most enjoyable traveling bike festivals. Held on September 8, Tour de Fat will provide an incredible day jam-packed with beer, bikes, live music, sustainability, an interesting costume bike parade and responsible consumption messages in Denver’s City Park.
