Amateur riders who dream of doing a formidable stage race over Colorado's paved and dirt roads have the opportunity to participate in exactly that in 2017, when the Mavic Haute Route Rockies launches in June. Registration for the event opened this week.
Haute Route began as a European amateur stage race organization with point-to-point events in the Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites that feature a high level of rider support, such as daily massage, timing and luggage transfer. The Mavic Haute Route Rockies will start in Boulder, Colorado and finish in Colorado Springs, tackling a massive 52,500ft / 16,000m of climbing over the course of seven stages covering 550mi / 875km. Although the full course won't be announced until July, Haute Route spokesman Ben Thompson told BikeRadar that 15% will be on dirt or gravel roads.
Mavic haute route rockies teaser
Haute Route events are designed as "the most formidable challenge that an amateur cyclist is going to take on in their lifetime," Thompson said, adding that the Rockies edition will be the first Haute Route event to tackle some dirt as well as pavement. While riders are welcome to use any bike they like, Thompson said a standard road bike with 25mm tires will be adequate for the challenge.
The organization expect the 600 spots to sell out. Registration is available now at www.hauteroute.org for $2,200. Accommodations are not included, and range from between $980 and $1,960, although Thomson said an increasing number of European Haute Route participants are opting to stay in camper vans.
