Adventure Fit announced the revival of Gold Rush Bike Rally, a gravel bike hootenanny in historic gold mining country west of Boulder, Colorado, to be held September 19, 2021. The event combines the best elements of a gravel bike adventure, block party, and small town festival and is the sister event to the popular Old Man Winter Bike Rally. Similar to the Old Man Winter Rally, the Gold Rush Bike Rally is all about getting friends together for an adventure on Boulder County’s world-class gravel bike terrain and celebrating at the after party. As a fundraiser for the Town of Gold Hill and the Gold Hill School, the Gold Rush Bike Rally will allow the gravel bike community to give back to Boulder County’s top cycling destination.
The race is staged in front of the Gold Hill General Store in Gold Hill, one of Colorado’s oldest and quaintest towns, with dirt roads and a population just over 200 people. Despite its small size, Gold Hill is famous for its amazing gravel riding including the Switzerland Trail, which was a narrow railroad line that transported mining equipment throughout the Front Range of Colorado at the turn of the century, as well as Lickskillet Rd – the steepest road in the state with grades as steep as 22%.
Aside from the awesome setting, what sets the Gold Rush Bike Rally apart from other gravel events is the “cloverleaf format”. There are 3 different loops, which all start and finish in town. All riders start on the “Evergreen Loop” (28.3 miles / 3289’ elevation), which follows the Switzerland Trail to the Peak to Peak highway. For those looking for more, the “Lickskillet Loop” adds 23.9 miles / 3243’ elevation and starts with rolling gravel, great views of the Indian Peaks mountain range, and finishes up the infamous Lickskillet Rd climb. Riders eager to add more miles and elevation can add the 3rd and final loop, the “Diverge loo” (20.2 miles / 2684’ elevation), which includes 2 miles of single track along the Rowena trail, before the gravel switchbacks on Sunshine Canyon take them back into Gold Hill. In-between loops, riders will enjoy live music, cold beer, great food, and fun vendor contests at the block party on Main Street in Gold Hill.
Wrapping up the day is the “Tour de Rump”, a Gold Hill tradition that dates back to 1989, originally a clothing-optional scavenger hunt, this year’s Tour de Rump will feature a free 3 mile bike loop for kids and local fun-seekers including obstacles around town.
As with all events in Boulder County, CO the field of riders is expected to be stacked with Olympians, National Champs, and Pro Tour cyclists all racing to take home their share of the $3000 cash purse. However, the event is designed for all levels of riders and will encourage new riders to make the Gold Rush Bike Rally their first ever bike race. Riders should also keep their eyes peeled for “gold nuggets” on the course. These gold-painted rocks can be brought back to Gold Hill and exchanged for prizes including gravel tires, Retul pro bike fits, and gift cards from sponsors.
In addition to being an incredibly fun gravel adventure, the Gold Rush Bike Rally will be an annual fundraiser for the Gold Hill community. The Town of Gold Hill and the Gold Hill School, Colorado’s longest continually operating school will receive funds raised from the event. These funds will be used to mitigate potential fires and support school programs like beekeeping.
Registration will be capped at 1000 riders. To be kept up on Gold Rush Bike Rally news and announcements, please join the newsletter at www.goldrushbikerally.com and follow the social accounts @goldrushbikerally on Instagram and Facebook.
About Adventure Fit: Adventure Fit is an Experiential Event Marketing and Production company that specializes in Active Entertainment productions. Our deep understanding of the active marketplace allows us to develop creative events and results-driven solution for our clients. Adventure Fit has produced some of the countries most popular sporting events, such as the New Belgium Urban Assault Ride, Burning Can Fest at the Lyons Outdoor Games, Old Man Winter Rally and the Shape Diva Dash.
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