The Spanish Peaks of south central Colorado are among the most important landmarks in the southwestern United States, guiding Native American tribes, trappers, and American settlers. The Ute and other Indian tribes held the Peaks in religious awe and named the mountains Wahatoya, meaning “Breasts of the Earth. Our tour Spanish Peaks and Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of our best Colorado Bicycle Tours, explores this remote region rich in biological diversity, history and scenic beauty.
Road bike
7 days
563 km / 350 mi
$ 2,790.-
7 Nights of lodging.
6 Days of meals.
Entrance fees included.
Shuttle and mechanical support.
Additional mileage options each day.
E-bike possible.
Night before and after the tour not included.
Group discount of $200 per person for groups of 4 or more.
The deposit for this tour is $950.-pp.
Gallery
Details
Type
Road bike
Duration
7 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Support
Guided = with cycling guide(s) - support van Self Guided = individual - directions+maps
Guided
Daily distance
120-140 km / 75-87 mi
Total distance
563 km / 350 mi
Lodging
Deluxe = 4-5 star hotel or excellent B&B Basic = 1-2 star hotel/motel or B&B Camping = tent, sports hall or campus
Deluxe, full board
Luggage transport
Daily luggage transfers
Bicycle
Rental
Dates
24 May 2020 - 30 May 2020 23 Aug 2020 - 29 Aug 2020
Scott CR-1 and Scott Solace carbon road bikes with full Shimano Ultegra components
$ 250.-
Optional
E-Roadbike
Scott E-bike road bikes with straight bars
$ 375.-
Optional
Single supplement
If you travel alone a single supplement is charged. With some group tours you can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
$ 595.-
Itinerary
Day 1: Florissant to Cañon City,
50 miles with up to 2,850 feet of climbing
We begin our tour from deep within the front range with inspiring views on well paved roads along rolling terrain as we plummet nearly 5,500′ during the course of a 50-mile trek from Florissant to Canon City. Beware! There are some punchy climbs on the way down to Canon City. A treat near the end of the day will be a short section of narrow road called Skyline Drive that follows a ridge top traverse. The day ends in Cañon City’s municipal park.
Day 2: Florence to Colorado City
60 miles with up to 6,215 feet of climbing
Starting from Florence today’s route begins with gentle climbing into the Wet Mountains that soon turns to steep climbing between the 11 to 22 mile mark. After the turn south onto the Greenhorn Highway, we enjoy a tremendous piece of road. The views of the Wet Mountains and Sangre De Christos during the day are spectacular and to the east, it appears one can see all the way to Kansas! After a stop at the uniquely strange Bishop Castle, there are a series of rollers and then a screaming 13-mile descent down through the Huckleberry Hills to Colorado City to end the ride at Obie’s Fillin’ Station for BBQ. We shuttle to Trinidad, Colorado for our accommodations at the Tarabino Inn.
Day 3: Trinidad to La Veta
66 miles with up to 5,665 feet of climbing.
Today ride The Highway of the Legends Scenic Byway around the Spanish Peaks. The route climbs up and over 9,995-foot Cuchara Pass and then quickly descends to the town of La Veta (7,013-feet) for tonight’s lodging. This is a big climb to Cuchara Pass with a real steep kick at the end. As a result there are big king of the mountain points to be gained on Cuchara Pass! From atop the pass it is a fast descent to end the day.
Day 4: La Veta to Great Sand Dunes National Park
61 miles with up to 3,270 feet of climbing.
From La Veta, Colorado we’ll ride up to North La Veta Pass (9,413-feet) and after the descent through the towns of Fort Garland and Blanca while traversing around southern base of 14,000-foot Blanca Peak. The riding from the 4-mile mark to the 13-mile mark climbs North La Veta Pass. At the top the pavement improves and the shoulder widens for the rest of the ride to the Great Sand Dunes National Park!
Day 5: Moffat to Gunnison
87 miles with up to 3,500 feet of climbing
Today we’ll ride across the 7,000-foot San Luis valley past endless fields of potatoes. From the town of Saguache the route follows Hwy 114 for 62-miles toward Gunnison. Highway 114 is a beautiful road that crosses the continental divide at North Pass and then descends nearly 40-miles into Gunnison.
Day 6: Gunnison to Creede
The Cannibal Classic! 106 Man-Eating-Miles with up to 8,400 feet of climbing (Optional: 75-Mile ride)
The “Cannibal Classic” is one of the most challenging stages of the tour having earned its name from the infamous Alfred Packer, a miner who became snowbound on an ill-fated journey into the San Juan Mountains in the late 1800’s. Come spring, Packer was the only remaining miner alive from his party of six, looking pretty healthy. He had literally eaten his compatriots!
At approximately mile 58, you will take on one of the steepest paved mountain passes in Colorado – Slumgullion Pass at an elevation of 11,530 feet! This monster is a 6 mile climb that ascends nearly 3,000 feet; its average 7% to 9% grades feels particularly brutal coming at mile 90 of the Cannibal Classic.
At the top, you’ll descend 4 miles and then climb another 4 miles at a mere 4% grade to Spring Creek Pass and the Continental Divide. From Spring Creek, it’s just about a 30-mile descent to the wild west town of Creede.
Day 7: Creede to Pagosa Springs
64 miles with up to 3,400 feet of climbing
Riding south from Creede, you’ll pedal across the remote headwaters of Rio Grande watershed. The largest wilderness area in Colorado, the Weimuniche Wilderness, borders this lush region. After climbing the impressive Wolf Creek Pass (10,863’) near the end of the day, you’ll have climbed over the Continental Divide for the second time in two days.
Thrill to a 4,000-foot descent from Wolf Creek to Pagosa Springs along the headwaters of the San Juan River. We’ll be in close proximity to New Mexico and get a whiff of the state’s famous and fragrant green chile. After arriving in Pagosa Springs, you will enjoy a much-needed and deserved soak in the hot springs before a short shuttle to Durango, Colorado where we’ll check into our final night of lodging at the historic Strater Hotel.
*Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.
Map & Routes
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