Rides
Terrain/Ability Levels
All of our Summit Cycling Camps rides offer a mix of characteristics encompassing challenging climbs, descents, distances, at altitude. Our rides are meant for the strong intermediate to advanced riders. We classify a strong intermediate rider as someone who has very good bike handling skills and enjoys longer climbs and descents (10+ mi.). Advanced riders have excellent bike handling skills and routinely experience higher daily mileage (75+ mi.), riding at a faster and a more consistent pace than intermediate riders.
Ride Profiles
We offer up several rides that encompass varying terrain challenges and required skill levels. You can select from one of our designed routes or design one of your own (custom ride) and we will provide our full support service. At Summit Cycling Camps we leave it up to you to determine the ride the best suites your abilities. We guarantee that each day will provide a breath taking rider experience.
Fremont-Tennessee-Vail Pass
Originating from Frisco this ride heads west along the Ten Mile Canyon bike path. The first third is flat with most of the climbing in the middle third and flatting out at the top. Approaching the Copper Mountain Ski Area, the ride turns south toward Fremont Pass. This section begins a couple miles of flats with some rolls, then flattens out just before hitting the hardest section with three miles at a 7 percent gradient .The last four miles of the pass are relatively easy rolling terrain .Once over the top of the pass the ride takes a fast descent down to the valley floor, to a short flat ride and brief climb to the town of Leadville. The ride then heads south for Tennessee Pass. This part of the ride travels through some rolling terrain to the foot of the pass. With a climb of a couple of miles and a five percent gradient this is one of the easiest passes during the camp. The ride will pause at the top of Tennessee Pass for another scenic lunch. Unlike the quick climb on the south side, the descent from Tennessee Pass is a 12 mile long descent. This section takes the route over Battle Mountain which is not a pass, but after the previous descent, the two miles of 10%+ gradient along with a false summit, makes this a very hard climb. Following the climbs is a very technical descent from Battle Mountain and down into the town of Minturn. From here the ride turns east traveling through the town of Vail. Leaving Vail the first section is fairly flat for a distance of 4 miles then comes to a slowly increasing gradient that kicks up to a 10% grade with the bottom half emptying onto the old Vail Pass roadway. The next section is an extremely steep gradient that stays over 7%. In the last one third the ride mellows out as the final stretch reaches the top of Vail Pass. Descending from the top is a technical section composed of switch backs and numerous bridges. Once into Copper Mountain, it is a fairly easy but fast descent back into Frisco.
Hoosier Pass
Starting in Frisco, this route heads east along the shore of scenic Lake Dillon. From there the ride turns south over Swan Mountain road and beginsa three mile climb with 10% gradesfollowed bya two mile technical decent. At the bottom its a slow climb over the next five miles to the town of Breckenridge. After passing through this beautiful town, the ride follows highway 9 and an immediate climb. For the first six miles there are a series of rolling climbs. With 4 miles to the summit, the ride hits the first of a series of switchbacks with the road steadily climbing upward from there to the summit. From the summit the route retraces for a return to Breckenridge and a stop for lunch. Following lunch, the ride heads back north out of Breckenridge, along the western shore of Lake Dillon and back to the town of Frisco.
Fremont-Independence Pass
Starting in the sleepy little town of Frisco, this ride heads out west through Ten Mile Canyon. At the entrance to the Village of Copper Mountain the ride turns south onto the road to Fremont Pass. This section begins with a couple miles of flats followed by some rolls that flatten out just before a three mile section with a 7 percent gradient .The last four miles of the pass are composed of a variety of rolling terrain .Once the ride reaches the top of Fremont Pass there is a very fast descent down to the valley floor. Then it is a flat ride with a short climb into the town of Leadville. Riding through Leadville the route heads south along a slow descent for next 15 miles. The route then turns west towards Twin Lakes and the start of the climb over Independence pass. The first section is border by the lakes along with some rolling terrain for the first eight miles. Leaving the lakes the ride continues for the first ten and a half miles with a series of rolling sections of climbing. The final four and half miles leading to the summit of the pass are characterized by a series of switchbacks with a continuous and steep gradient. Once at the top the ride follows a technical descent over the course of the next 18 miles, down into the famous city of Aspen. The ride terminates in town with a relaxing lunch, then the return trip by support vehicle back to Frisco.
Loveland Pass
Leaving the town of Frisco this ride heads east along the northern shore of Lake Dillon. Approaching Keystone Village the rider gets a taste of what is in store as the road begins to kick up. There is a short flat section just at the bottom of the pass. From the flats the road follows a seven percent grade for the next eight miles to the top of Loveland Pass. Its a fast decent down for the next 5 miles. Turning east and continuing to descend, the ride travels through the old mining town of Silver Plume. This one of the more challenging sections as the ride follows a technical decent down under the historic narrow gauge rail road and into the city of Georgetown. From here the route levels off until it reaches the east end of the town of Idaho Springs. The rider is presented with a final 8.5% grade climb for the next mile and a half. From there its all down hill into the town of Golden, home of the famous Coors brewery, and to the rides final destination at Gängle Custom Cycles. A tour of the shop along with a seminar on custom frame building will be accompanied by lunch. The riders will return to Frisco via the support vehicles.
Mt Evans - the highest paved road in North America!
This ride starts in the old mining town of Idaho Springs, which served as the setting for part of the movie “Downhill Racer,” staring Robert Redford. The ride heads south out of town along State Highway 103 over a gentle climb for the first six miles to Echo Lake State Park. From here it is a steady climb the rest of the way to the summit with several short sections of road that approach 10% gradient. The climb above the tree line begins with a short downhill section just before reaching Summit Lake. Leaving Summit Lake, its about four miles to the summit as the rider encounter a series of sweeping switchbacks and hairpin turns. This climb has an average gradient of 8% with some connecting flat sections. This continues right up to the summit of Mount Evans. Once at the summit the riders have chance to immortalize their ride with photographs and soak in the breathtaking view. The ride retraces the route back down the mountain with a swift descent to the town of Idaho Springs and a respite for lunch, followed by the return to Frisco via support vehicle.
Ute Pass
This ride is one of the less challenging - the route only taking in one mountain pass. Leaving the town of Frisco, the route heads east along Lake Dillon, then descends into the town of Silverthorne, followed by a gently rolling section for the first 12 miles. The ride serpentines north to, then around, the end of Green Mountain Reservoir. This section is composed of a rough road surface with rolling terrain and presents the rider with a surprisingly challenging experience. The route then turns east to Ute Pass and a moderate climb over a distance of five miles to the scenic overlook at the summit of the pass. The ride breaks here for lunch. After lunch the route is reversed, descending and returning to the town of Frisco.
Vail Pass
Leaving Frisco this ride heads west through Ten Mile Canyon. The first section is relatively flat with most of the climbing in the middle third and with a flat section at the top. Exiting the canyon the ride passes through the ski village of Copper Mountain continuing on to the base of Vail Pass located at the west end of the village. Here the ride follows the Vail Pass bike path which is 8 to 12 feet wide. This section starts out with a mild gradient over the first half, then there is a section characterized by a steeper pitch and a number of switch backs. This terminates with the scenic overlook at the top of the pass. Descending down from the summit of the pass, the ride travels past Black Lakes and onto the old Vail Pass Road. Approximately a third of the way down the pass, the ride comes to an extremely technical section made up of a number of sharp curves and steep drops. From here the ride rolls along the valley floors eventually reaching the town of Vail where the ride will break for a relaxing lunch and some sightseeing. Leaving Vail, the ride retraces the out bound route, back over Vail Pass and through the Village of Copper Mountain. Once into Copper Mountain it is a fairly easy but fast decent back through Ten Mile Canyon to the starting point in the town of Frisco.