Copper Triangle 2026

Copper Triangle 2026

Presented by The Ride Collective
Road Cycling
Aug 1, 2026
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About This Event

This 79-mile loop delivers three legendary climbs through Colorado’s high country, each summiting above 10,000 feet. Starting from Copper Mountain Resort’s Burning Stones Plaza, riders tackle over 6,000 feet of elevation gain entirely above 8,000 feet, making this one of the most demanding single-day road rides in the Rockies.

The route begins with Fremont Pass, skirting Leadville before continuing over Tennessee Pass through historic Camp Hale, the 10th Mountain Division’s World War II training ground. After passing through Minturn and Vail Village, riders face the steepest challenge: Vail Pass. The climbs are relentless, but the descents offer spectacular payoff with sweeping mountain vistas.

Five well-stocked aid stations provide hydration mix, water, fresh fruit, and snacks, with SAG support available particularly for riders struggling on Vail Pass. The event caps at 3,000 riders, creating a substantial peloton without overwhelming the mountain roads.

Riders start between 6:00 and 7:45 a.m., with a hard cutoff at 8:00 a.m. The early start helps avoid afternoon thunderstorms and reduces traffic encounters on these open roads where speed control is critical, especially on steep descents.

The post-ride Alpine Celebration features lunch, a beer garden, live entertainment, and gear expo that runs throughout the day. Proceeds benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation supporting Parkinson’s research, adding meaningful purpose to the physical challenge.

Veterans describe this as a bucket-list ride that tests climbing endurance while showcasing Colorado’s most dramatic high-altitude scenery.

The Ride Collective

Event Organizer
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The Ride Collective is a series of professionally produced cycling events in Colorado and New Mexico, focusing on creating inclusive experiences for cyclists of varying skill levels. Formerly known as the Outside Events Cycling Series, it offers a range of road, gravel, and mountain biking events. Here’s a quick look at the key events they produce:

  1. Wild Horse Gravel (May) – A 65-mile gravel race through the scenic high desert in De Beque, Colorado, with 5,500 feet of elevation gain. This event is a favorite for gravel enthusiasts.
  2. Crooked Gravel (July) – Held in Winter Park, Colorado, this high-altitude gravel event features spectacular routes through aspen and pine forests with challenging ascents and exhilarating descents.
  3. Copper Triangle (August) – A classic road cycling event that covers a 79-mile loop through three mountain passes in Colorado, each over 10,000 feet, offering stunning alpine views.
  4. Enchanted Circle (August) – A scenic road cycling event in Northern New Mexico, this 85 or 100-mile ride showcases breathtaking views and challenging climbs through the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.
  5. Tour of the Moon (September) – Made famous by the 1980s Coors Classic, this road cycling event takes riders through the iconic Colorado National Monument, offering epic red rock landscapes.
  6. Tour de Vineyards (September) – A relaxed, scenic road cycling event through the vineyards and orchards of Colorado’s Western Slope, this ride offers a choice of 58 or 75 miles.

These events provide a mix of competitive racing and casual touring, all set against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S.​

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