It might be the most beer-soaked bike tour in the nation. Starting this Monday, July 18th from the front deck of Ska Brewing in Durango, a scruffy group of unlikely cyclists will begin a 463-mile trip that will culminate at Avery Brewing Co. on Saturday, July 23rd. Along the way the peloton will be fueling up, each and every night, with fresh beers at brewpubs.
What makes this group of riders unusual is that it is composed of brewery employees from Avery Brewing, Ska Brewing, Boulder Beer, Epic Brewing, Great Divide, and Left Hand Brewing Co. And, for most of them, it will be their most ambitious athletic endeavor of the year.
Why would a group that is happiest sitting on barstools sipping beer, decide to tackle the Rocky Mountains in the middle of the summer? Well for bragging rights, to create a spirit of collaboration, and to have some fun. “As busy as we all are, I think it’s good to get out in the Colorado hills with some of the state’s brewing pioneers and share a few ideas and more than a few beers,” said Avery Brewing Founder, Adam Avery. “Collectively, we have hundreds of years of brewing experience among us, so good ideas are bound to take root at some point before delirium takes over toward the end of the week.”
Since the inaugural BoulDurango Bike Ride was launched seven years ago by Adam Avery and Dave Thibodeau, it has slowly grown in size, and in the amount of monies raised for charities.
This year, for the first time, they are reversing the route so they end up in Boulder, but each night the riders will be hosting a happy hour in each town they will be stopping in. It would be safe to assume that some rarities will be on tap when this group rolls into town.
- 7/18 morning: Ska Brewing, Durango
- 7/18 evening: Montanya Distillers Tasting Room, Silverton
- 7/19: Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Montrose
- 7/20: Brick Oven Pizzeria & Pub, Crested Butte
- 7/21: Eddyline Brewery, Buena Vista
- 7/22: Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge
- 7/23: Avery Brewing, Boulder
So if you are in the high country this week make it a point to stop by one of their watering holes to have a cold one with them. If you are in the Front Range, make it a point to be at the Avery Brewery on Saturday from 2-6pm to meet the riders. Admission is free and comes with a special glass, and beer being offered for $5. All proceeds will benefit Cyclists 4 Community.
