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Blue Sky Hill Climb – Rated

July 19

Riders on ascent of Mt. Evans
Updated February 2, 2025

This iconic event is cancelled in 2025 but will return on/around the same date in 2026.   Now called the Blue Sky Hill Climb, this event was previously known as the Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb, an iconic bike race on North America's highest paved road. It began in 1962 as the Mt. Evans Hill Climb and was renamed in 1981 to honor 5-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer at 23. It was picked as one of our Best Road Cycling Events in Colorado and the RockiesShift Events produces the event, which is also part of the prestigious  Gran Fondo National Series.  Strambecco also rates the event as one of the Best Hill Climb races in the US.

The race starts at an altitude of 7,540 feet and climbs to 14,130 feet, 130 feet below Mount Evans’ summit. Due to the altitude, the event requires special preparation. Unless you’ve had 5-7 days to acclimate to high altitude, a common technique is to arrive and complete the event within 24 hours. The start line is at The Old Middle School, 320 Chicago Creek Road in Idaho Springs. The finish is twenty-eight miles away at the summit. Juniors finish at Echo Lake, which is eleven miles up the mountain. Also, you need to be prepared for inclement weather. Even in the middle of summer, it can be cold at 14,000 feet, not to mention wind, rain, or snow potential. During the challenging 7,000-foot climb, you'll encounter an aid station at Echo Lake offering essential supplies such as electrolytes, water, and gels, as well as at the summit. Please note that shuttle service will not be provided, so be prepared to descend on your own back to your vehicle.

Over the years, the race has attracted significant professional riders. Riders come from all over the United States, and the race commonly attracts riders from France, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia. The age range of the participants is from nine to eighty-five years. The race is also supported by volunteers from the Colorado cycling community who help marshal, drive support, officiate, and work the picnic. The event includes categories for all levels of racing and encourages riders of all abilities. Between six hundred and a thousand riders compete each year in several categories. You can read more about the history of the event on Wikipedia.

Idaho Springs, where the course begins, is a mountain town right at the mouth of the Rockies, offering innumerable outdoor adventures to enjoy before or after the event. There are a number of bars, restaurants, and shopping to enjoy in the town, while the surrounding area offers great hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and gorgeous scenery.

 

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Idaho Springs, Colorado

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