Explore Colorado on Two Wheels

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Jul 14, 2011, 10:03 ET

DENVER, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorado is taking center stage as one of the world's top cycling destinations with the debut of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in August. The state is home to the birthplace of mountain biking, Crested Butte, as well as several legendary bike races. Colorado also offers a variety of trails, paths, and bike parks for cyclists of every level to explore the state on two wheels.

Below is a sampling of Colorado cycling adventures for every speed:

Cycling Events:

July 16 – The Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic is a 10- mile, non-competitive late night charity bike ride through Denver's historic neighborhoods. www.Moonlight-Classic.com
August 13 - The Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race is among the most challenging mountain bike races in the country at elevations in excess of 12,000 feet. www.VisitLeadvilleCo.com/trail_100
August 13 – The Stonewall Century follows Highway 12, a Colorado Scenic Byway known as the "Highway of Legends." http://www.SPCycling.org/stonewall-century.php
August 21 - Women, Wheels & Wine: Led by members of Yeti Beti Team, this daylong event includes tips on bike fit, training and maintenance, yoga and more. www.DevilsThumbRanch.com
August 22-28 – USA Pro Cycling Challenge: This grueling professional bicycle stage race will take some of the world's best riders through Colorado's most scenic yet challenging routes in 11 cities and towns across the state. www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com
August 28 - 2nd Annual Assault on the Peak: The 24.5-mile route is one of the most challenging organized cycling events in the world, ascending more than 6,000 vertical feet. www.RidePikesPeak.com
September 3 – Tour de Fat: New Belgium Brewing's traveling celebration of all things bicycle will make its mark on its home town of Fort Collins while raising funds for local non-profits. www.NewBelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat.aspx
September 10-11 - 35th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour: This oldest mountain bike event in the world runs from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass. www.MtnBikeHallofFame.com.
September 17 – Tour de Vineyards: This 25-mile ride through the vineyards of Colorado's Western Slope gives cyclists an opportunity to pass by the area's wineries and fruit orchards. http://www.EMGColorado.com/race_tourvine.htm
September 24-25 – Four Corners Bike Fest: Two days of biking, music, beer and revelry are on tap for this event including races for bikers of every level. www.VisitPagosaSprings.com

Bike Features:

Valmont Bike Park is the largest free urban bike park in America. www.ValmontBikePark.org
Fort Collins Bike Library offers a variety of self-guided tours, and an environmental learning tour along the Cache La Poudre River Bike Trail. www.FCBikeLibrary.org
Trestle Bike Park: Featuring 37 miles of downhill trails and over 200 features, the park offers programs for beginners to experts in Winter Park. www.TrestleBikePark.com
B-Cycle in Denver and Boulder makes it economical and convenient to use bikes for trips that are too far to walk but too short to drive. www.Denver.BCycle.com, www.Boulder.BCycle.com
Bike the Byways Program promotes bicycling along the state's 25 designated Scenic Byways routes. www.BikeByways.org