109 West Tour Review w/Photos
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109 West Tour Review w/Photos
I recently completed the 109 West Bicycle Tour and thought I'd share some pics and a short review. This was the first year of the ride and organizers hope it becomes an annual ride. I will definitely sign up again if I can work it into my schedule. This ride was quite small (less than 30 riders) but they seem to want to keep it small (maybe in the range of 100 or so riders). The small number of riders resulted in a lot personal attention and "face time" with the organizers. Aid stations were well stocked with quality food (such as Cliff bars and shot blocks, nuts, cookies, fruit, coconut water, and they even made us sandwiches), comfy chairs, shade, bug spray and a small but friendly staff that went out of their way to attend to the needs of riders. Quite a few people spent a lot of time at the aid stations. They were a lot of fun.
We also had a number of receptions that ranged from a free beer and good appetizers (at Steamworks in Durango) to full on meals (in Grand Junction before leaving and Gateway which both had free beer and Cedaredge where we had a really nice meal).
The route itself was excellent. Lots of variety (mountains, mesas, canyons), some good climbs, great scenery and each day long enough to be a good ride but not so long that you were worn out and unable to enjoy all that the various towns had to offer. The first day was short (only 50 miles) due to the hassle of riding on I-70 so we were shuttled to the start of the Grand Mesa ride (6000 feet of constant climbing over 19 miles). The average for the remaining days was about 80 miles.
If I tried to describe it all here it would be a book so feel free to ask any questions. I'll end here with a few photos along the route. I've uploaded a selection to Google if you want more. Many were shot by a volunteer in a car while moving so not great but they give you an idea of the ride.
Day 1 - Grand Junction to Cedaredge (via the Grand Mesa). I only stopped to snap this one photo which isn't much.
Day 2 - Cedaredge to Ouray
Example of an aid station
Some lake. Not sure.
View from hotel parking lot.
Day 3 - Ouray to Durango
View from aid station near summit.
Summit.
Heading down Red Mountain Pass (I think).
We also had a number of receptions that ranged from a free beer and good appetizers (at Steamworks in Durango) to full on meals (in Grand Junction before leaving and Gateway which both had free beer and Cedaredge where we had a really nice meal).
The route itself was excellent. Lots of variety (mountains, mesas, canyons), some good climbs, great scenery and each day long enough to be a good ride but not so long that you were worn out and unable to enjoy all that the various towns had to offer. The first day was short (only 50 miles) due to the hassle of riding on I-70 so we were shuttled to the start of the Grand Mesa ride (6000 feet of constant climbing over 19 miles). The average for the remaining days was about 80 miles.
If I tried to describe it all here it would be a book so feel free to ask any questions. I'll end here with a few photos along the route. I've uploaded a selection to Google if you want more. Many were shot by a volunteer in a car while moving so not great but they give you an idea of the ride.
Day 1 - Grand Junction to Cedaredge (via the Grand Mesa). I only stopped to snap this one photo which isn't much.
Day 2 - Cedaredge to Ouray
Example of an aid station
Some lake. Not sure.
View from hotel parking lot.
Day 3 - Ouray to Durango
View from aid station near summit.
Summit.
Heading down Red Mountain Pass (I think).
#2
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Day 4 - Durango to Cortez
Day 5 - Cortez to Telluride
Fuel station.
Ascending Lizard Head Pass
From summit.
Telluride
Day 6 - Telluride to Gateway
Just before riding into a downpour.
Day 5 - Cortez to Telluride
Fuel station.
Ascending Lizard Head Pass
From summit.
Telluride
Day 6 - Telluride to Gateway
Just before riding into a downpour.
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An oasis in the 41 desert. Thanks for sharing.
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Ah it was nice meeting you on the ride. Definitely a great tour, not that I really had much to compare it to, but I'd love to do it again next year as well.
BTW, where was the Lizard Head Pass sign? I was looking long and hard for that (apparently huge) sign after having missed the little one on the top of the Grand Mesa.
BTW, where was the Lizard Head Pass sign? I was looking long and hard for that (apparently huge) sign after having missed the little one on the top of the Grand Mesa.
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Ah it was nice meeting you on the ride. Definitely a great tour, not that I really had much to compare it to, but I'd love to do it again next year as well.
BTW, where was the Lizard Head Pass sign? I was looking long and hard for that (apparently huge) sign after having missed the little one on the top of the Grand Mesa.
BTW, where was the Lizard Head Pass sign? I was looking long and hard for that (apparently huge) sign after having missed the little one on the top of the Grand Mesa.
It was just past the first entrance to the rest area. If you went in there but out the other end you would have missed it.
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Yup that one. Can't believe I missed something so huge. Then again, I didn't even realize there was a second entrance to the rest area haha. I believe I must have entered and exited through the second entrance though, so I rode straight past it.
#10
The Rock Cycle
Thanks for all the great pics. I have ridden many of those roads. Glad you enjoyed our corner of Colorado.
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Now I wish I had a listing of BF member names to go along with the names of the riders that did the 109 West tour! Never thought about that while we were on the ride. My wife and I are "low-landers" from Ohio, but we went to Aspen-area 3 days before the ride to do some hiking in the mountains to get acclimated. It worked. I felt great during the ride. Stronger at the end of the ride than at the beginning, of course.
Echoing bikerjp's comments: It was a great vacation, a superb route, a great way to see part of Colorado (for the first time in the state!). With a small group of riders for the inaugural year we felt like we could get to know each other. The three couples that had primary responsibility for organizing, planning and supporting the ride were professional, helpful, caring and considerate. Can't ask for more! The route was well-plannned, well-marked, and well-supported each day with the best spread I've ever seen on break stops.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a new experience. I'd imagine that you can watch these 2 websites for information about next year's tour by late winter/early spring:
https://www.109west.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/109-W...946663?fref=ts
The websites might not be the flashiest, but I don't care. It's the RIDE that counts!
Oh, one more thing: one of the couples heavily involved in this ride also played a part in 2013's Tour of Virginia. That helped us feel confident in flying across the country to join a 1st year tour.
Echoing bikerjp's comments: It was a great vacation, a superb route, a great way to see part of Colorado (for the first time in the state!). With a small group of riders for the inaugural year we felt like we could get to know each other. The three couples that had primary responsibility for organizing, planning and supporting the ride were professional, helpful, caring and considerate. Can't ask for more! The route was well-plannned, well-marked, and well-supported each day with the best spread I've ever seen on break stops.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a new experience. I'd imagine that you can watch these 2 websites for information about next year's tour by late winter/early spring:
https://www.109west.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/109-W...946663?fref=ts
The websites might not be the flashiest, but I don't care. It's the RIDE that counts!
Oh, one more thing: one of the couples heavily involved in this ride also played a part in 2013's Tour of Virginia. That helped us feel confident in flying across the country to join a 1st year tour.
#14
The Rock Cycle
I was excited about the ride because it started practically at my front door, but it is out of my budget range.
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Because of the no camping option? I think the registration itself was on par with similar tours. I can understand wanting to camp to save money but I really enjoyed having a shower at the end and not have to mess with setting up camp. Left more time for recreation and we were close to restaurants, shops, etc. too. Best way to keep the cost down...roommates
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Next year I need a Cervelo with 80mm zipps.
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Because of the no camping option? I think the registration itself was on par with similar tours. I can understand wanting to camp to save money but I really enjoyed having a shower at the end and not have to mess with setting up camp. Left more time for recreation and we were close to restaurants, shops, etc. too. Best way to keep the cost down...roommates
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True about Gateway's lodging $s, so chose not to spend the night there. It was the last day of the ride, so we got a lift into Grand Junction after the end-of-ride reception.
Really pretty area up around Gateway, but almost shocking to see that resort with almost nothing for miles in any direction all around it!
Really pretty area up around Gateway, but almost shocking to see that resort with almost nothing for miles in any direction all around it!
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dang. makes me miss living in Colorado. looks like a great ride with some great scenery. thanks for sharing.
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Now I wish I had a listing of BF member names to go along with the names of the riders that did the 109 West tour! Never thought about that while we were on the ride. My wife and I are "low-landers" from Ohio, but we went to Aspen-area 3 days before the ride to do some hiking in the mountains to get acclimated. It worked. I felt great during the ride. Stronger at the end of the ride than at the beginning, of course.
As another "low-lander", I'm definitely going to have to arrive a few days early to acclimate next time (there WILL be a next time ). I was dying for the first 3 days of the tour and I'm sure you all could tell haha.
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You just need to do daily training rides up Haleakala.
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