Ride Information

Online Registration using the EnMotive platform opens Thursday, January 26, 2023 and will close on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 8:00pm.

The registration fee for the four different routes are:

• $124 for the 100, 85 and 50-mile courses
• $94 for the 25-mile course
• $64 for the 25-mile course (14 & under – Youth Registration)

Above pricing does not include taxes or fees.

Registration includes:

• Ride Entry
• 2023 Ride T-shirt
• 2 Beverage Coupons
• 1 Post-Ride Meal Voucher
• Fully Supported Aid Stations
• Post Ride Street Party
• Ride Goodie Bag

Your registration and pre-ordered merchandise, plus walk-up/on-site registration will be available at the Ride HQ on Main Street at the Shops of Northfield, (8354 E 49th Ave #1740, Denver, CO 80238) during the following times:

• Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 22, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 23, 2023 beginning at 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

We encourage you to register online to enjoy special online discounts and to minimize lines and wait time at onsite registration.

WHO CAN REGISTER?

Minimum Age Requirements:

The DCR is designed for riders of all ages. (The cyclists age is their age on the day of the event.)

We want to share the beautiful bike routes, lanes and trails with all generations. However, for your safety and the safety of other participants we have put the following restrictions in place.

• Cyclists 16 and above may ride any route with a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian
• Cyclists 14 to 16 may ride any route with a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by an adult. If the adult is not a legal guardian, they must carry a permission letter signed by the parent or guardian stating they are accompanying the minor on the DCR.
• Cyclists 14 and younger may ride the 50, or 25-mile route with a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by an adult. If the adult is not a legal guardian, they must carry a permission letter signed by the parent or guardian stating they are accompanying the minor on the DCR.

Before deciding on any of the above distances for a minor child please review the routes at www.DenverCenturyRide.com and make sure your child is of the ability to complete the route.

The Denver Century Ride is a “Rules of the Road” ride and all participants must be versed in and able to follow the Rules of the Road, per the Colorado vehicular codes.

Allowed Bikes & Equipment:

The Denver Century Ride encourages everyone to join us regardless of level of experience or equipment type.

• Tandem bikes are welcome on the course. However, you need to purchase one registration for each rider.
• Recumbent or handcycle bikes are allowed on the course. You are required to have a 6ft flag attached to your bike, so you are seen easily.
• E-bikes are allowed on any of our four courses.
• Berley trailers are welcome at the Denver Century Ride. We welcome you to bring your children in their trailer on the 25 and 50-mile courses. If you are feeling more ambitious and want to ride the longer distances, we suggest the 85-mile, but please do not ride the 100. It is not safe for you or your children to ascend/descend Lookout Mountain’s narrow winding roads while towing a trailer.

Few, if any changes are anticipated in the 2023 courses given the highly positive feedback from our riders.  The 2022 routes are currently posted on our website, and we anticipate few changes unless there is construction/cause to redirect along any of the routes as determined by our Ride Director.

It is always a good idea to check the route pages during the week of the ride as things can change during the final days of planning and permitting.

Open Road Ride
The Denver Century Ride does not close roads. All roads are open to normal traffic during the DCR.  However, in high congestion areas there will be law enforcement posted.  These officers/troopers may stop or detain traffic at their discretion to allow the cyclists priority. Click here to see Rider Safety Rules on the Ride Information page for this information.

Elevations
The elevation is different on each route, check the individual route pages for complete details. Please note information is subject to change.

100-Mile Elevation – Check out the entire map HERE

• Elevation: +5,983 / -5,984
• Grade: 9.9%
• Grade: 0.3%

85-Mile Elevation – Check out the entire map HERE

• Elevation: +3,906 / -3,907
• Grade: 9.5%
• Grade: 0%

50-Mile Elevation – Check out the entire map HERE

• Elevation: +1,709 / -1,709
• Grade: 6.4%
• Grade: -0.1%

25-Mile Elevation – Check out the entire map HERE

• Elevation: +711 / -712
• Grade: 5.3%
• Grade: 0%

We will have printed maps available on site but encourage you to download or print the maps from the website to be more environmental.

Departure Windows

Instead of cyclists starting all at once, there will be two departure “windows” to stagger in-person interactions at the Start line. This means that cyclists may begin the Ride at any time during the designated departure time frame for your selected distance. This “staggered” approach allows for safer distancing throughout the day along the courses, at aid stations and at the Finish line.

• 100 & 85 Mile Routes | 6:30am-7:00am, last departure is 7:00am
• 50 & 25 Mile Routes | 7:15am-8:00am, last departure is 8:00am

Please start within the Departure Window of the distance you signed up for!

Remember to pin your bib number on the back of your jersey (not the front) and place helmet sticker on the front of your helmet!

Route Splits:

All four courses start off together, but split off at various locations along the route.  Be aware of your selected course and stay alert for route split signage.

• 100/85/50 from 25 Mile Route: the long-distance routes will continue straight on Decatur St. (mile 13.8) while the 25 mile turns left on 13th Ave.
• 100/85 Miles from 50 Mile Route: At Florida Ave. and S Pierce St. (mile 19.6) the 50 mile continues straight and the 85/100 turn right.
• 85/100-mile split – (mile 27.1) the 85 continues on W Alameda and the 100 goes right on S Rooney Rd.  Mandatory Cut-off – you must be at this location before 9:15am or you will be required to ride the 85 mile route.

4:00pm – All Routes and  Post Ride Street Party close. (While we will welcome riders after 4:00pm, we cannot guarantee food and beverage will be available after this time. This is a requirement of our permit with The Shops at Northfield.)

Ride Cutoff Times:

It is important for all cyclists to stay aware of the time and their location along their selected course. If you fall too far behind, you will miss out of aid station support and perhaps the post ride meal.  It is up to you to modify your speed to stay on schedule. The routes and finish line area will close at 4:00pm.  No Exceptions.

Departure Cut-offs:

• 100 & 85 Mile Routes | 6:30am – 7:00am Last departure is 7:00am

• 50 & 25 Mile Routes | 7:15am – 8:00am  Last departure is 8:00am

Individual Route Cutoffs:

• All cyclists riding the 100/85 Mile Routes MUST be through Aid Station #1 by 8:10am. 100-mile riders must be at
• W Alameda and S Rooney Rd. (Dinosaur Ridge) by 9:15am or they will be directed to ride the 85 mile route.
• All cyclists riding the 50 Mile Route must be through Rest Stop #1 by 9:00am. After 9:30am there will be no Denver Police Department support.
• ALL CYCLISTS must be through Rest Stop #1 by 9:30am.
• After 9:30am ANYONE leaving the Aid Station #1 will be directed to ride the 25-mile route ONLY.

Please be advised that when we close the route the following will happen:

• Aid Stations will close and there will be no food or water on the route. Aid Stations have published open and close times, see below. Services will not be available after these published times.

2023 Aid Station Locations will be Confirmed by September 15, 2023

Location	Address	Open	Closed
#1 REI	1416 Platte St., Denver	7:15AM	9:30AM
WS Green Mountain TH	13851 W Alameda Ave., Lakewood	7:30AM	10:00AM
#2 Lookout Mountain	987 Lookout Mtn Rd., Golden	8:30AM	11:00AM
#3 Bear Creek Lake Park	Fox Hollow Ln, Lakewood	8:15AM	12:00PM
#4 Chatfield High School	7227 S Simms St., Littleton	8:45AM	1:15PM
#5 Cherry Hills Village	2460 E Quincy Ave, Cherry Hills Vill	8:45AM	2:30PM
#6 Place Bridge Academy	7125 Cherry Ck. N, Denver	9:30AM	4:00PM

• There will be no route support at all – SAG, Medical, or Mechanics
• We cannot guarantee that there will be refreshments, etc. remaining at the Post Event Street Party

To complete the course before it closes, please pay attention to the following:

• Maintain an average speed of 11 mph (100-mile riders). Ride a shorter distance if you cannot maintain this average.
• Do not spend too much time at Aid Stations: stop in for a brief break, but limit your break to no more than 10 minutes, if possible.
• Be aware of the published cut-off times. These have been calculated to provide you with a guideline to complete the ride with full support.
• Be aware of the time of day, your speed, and your location!  Finish strong and finish within the time so we can greet you with a cold beer and your post ride meal.

If you do not believe you will be able to complete the routes before the courses close, please stop your ride at an aid station prior to its published close.

• We ask that cyclists call a friend or family member for pick-up from the route. The Denver Century Ride SAG vehicles will be on the course, however they are not taxis, and will not return you to the Finish line as in year’s past. If you do choose to ride with a SAG and they request you wear a mask, please comply with their instructions.

In the case of inclement and dangerous weather, the route will be closed, and we ask that you seek shelter.  If the Ride Director asks you to leave the route and get in a support vehicle, and you refuse to leave the course please know that you do so at your own risk.   We realize how important it is for everyone to complete the ride, however we encourage you to be safe.

Locations:

Our goal is to keep our riders comfortable and safe, so we offer aid stations every 15-18 miles stocked with water, sports drinks, nutrition bars and other energizing foods!  If you need or prefer a specific nutritional or hydration item while riding, please bring that with you.  Making sure you are comfortable throughout the ride, we have hand sanitizer, and portable toilets.

Riders must wear bib numbers (supplied with registration) to obtain food and access to certain areas of the route.

Nutrition & Hydration:

Aid stations will be stocked with water, Nuun (hydration mix), fruit, bagels, sandwiches, and nutrition products all served according to updated health guidelines.   Not all items are available at all aid stations.

We try to have a gluten free option available at all aid stations but do encourage you to bring your own energy bars if you have severe food allergies as we cannot guarantee there will not be cross-contamination.   Please make sure you read the labels if you are concerned about what might be in the product.

First Aid:

Medical support will be available at all aid stations; however, medical personnel will not be dispensing comfort medications such as: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol. Participants are asked to bring their own comfort medications as needed.

Mechanical Support:

Bike Mechanics are in short supply again for 2023.  While we are doing everything we can to secure mechanical support at every Aid Station, there is no guarantee.  Please make sure your bike is in good working order when you arrive to ride the Denver Century Ride.  We are very thankful for the great support from area bike shops.

The bike shops and mechanics are on site to help with basic repairs and supplies that are $10 or less.  The goal is to keep you on the ride and safe.  Should your bicycle need more expensive supplies please be prepared to compensate the mechanics for the supplies, including tires but not tubes.   We encourage you to make sure your bicycle is in good working order before heading out on the Denver Century Ride.

Please carry a tube for your tire with you. If you need a tire change refresher, contact one of our partner bike shops, they will be happy to teach you.

Route Support & SAG Wagons:

Your comfort and safety are paramount to our planning and management of your cycling experience.  In additional to the aid stations, we will support you along the course.

SAG Support:

SAG (Support and Gear) Wagons will rove each of the courses with water and road assistance to help riders experiencing mechanical trouble or those who become too fatigued to finish. Please be prepared to handle your own flats and minor repairs. SAGs will only provide assistance to the nearest aid station where you may wait for another SAG moving forward, or phone a friend or relative to pick you up.

If you need route support:

• Flag down one of the SAG (Support and Gear wagons) They are identified with signs on their cars that say “DCR Support” – If you are stopped at the side of the road and do not need help but see a support vehicle, please give them a thumbs up so they can continue on to help others on the route.

• Call the dispatch number listed in the final rider instructions provided via email, on Facebook and on the website the week before the ride.

• Stay where you are– if you move we will have a hard time finding you.

There will be signs posted on the routes in the ground with arrows and directions.   They are yellow and have the Denver Century Ride Logo on it.  Additionally, in tricky areas you may see orange “Route Arrow” stickers on the pavement.  These are very important.  Please pay attention. Finally, we use spray chalk to highlight obstacles, etc., while we do our best to mark hazards, we can’t see everything.  Please pay attention to your surroundings and the road surfaces.

The Denver Century Ride is a Rules of the Road bicycle ride. This means cyclists are required to obey all traffic laws per CO vehicular codes. The ride is conducted on open roads with vehicular traffic. Roads include both marked and unmarked hazards. Though we go to great lengths to make the ride as safe as possible, always remember that safety is in your hands and ride by these rules:

• Wear a helmet at all times – NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Carry ID and relevant medical information.
• Rules of the road apply; same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle
• Please only ride single file and maintain social distancing.
• Ride in the right lane, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn or avoiding hazards. Never pass cars on the right unless they are stopped at a light or making a left turn.
• Never ride against traffic
• Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right-of-way.
• Ride on paved shoulders and bike lanes when present and free of hazards.
• Obey all traffic lights, signs,  regulations and law enforcement/emergency personnel.
• Pass on the left only, announce “passing” or “hello” or “on your left”, when passing other cyclists.
• When riding with others use hand signals to indicate road hazards, stopping, slowing, right, and left turns. If you are unsure of proper hand signals contact your local bike shop and go on a shop sponsored group ride.  They will be happy to help you.
• Prepare properly – nutrition, hydration, training, and appropriate gear/clothing for sudden changes in weather conditions.
• Wear appropriate gear to protect yourself: glasses, masks and gloves and always wear a helmet.
• Respect others: riders, volunteers, host communities, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement & the environment; do not litter. Keep your nutrition wrappers, etc. in your jersey pockets. Trash receptacles will be provided at every Aid Station.
• Expect the unexpected; your first responsibility is to be safe.

Finally, be aware that cyclists are subject to the same tickets and fines as vehicle drivers. Law enforcement has the authority and the mandate to uphold traffic laws during this event – this includes traffic tickets for moving violations (i.e., failure to stop or yield and removal of riders from the course if necessary, for their safety or the safety of others.)

Date/Location/Directions to Start Line:

• Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
• Location: Start/Finish Line at The Shops of Northfield

Directions to the Start Line:

• The Start Line is located directly in front of Macy’s Northfield

From I-25:
Exit onto I-70 East
Take the Quebec Exit 278
Turn North onto Quebec
Take the Northfield Blvd Exit
Turn south onto Uinta or go through stoplight and find parking

From I-70:
Take the Quebec Exit 278
Turn North onto Quebec
Take the Northfield Blvd Exit
Turn south onto Uinta or go through stoplight and find parking

Parking:

Plenty of FREE parking is available in the OUTER lots surrounding the start line at the Shops at Northfield. Please park on the East side of the shopping center.

Please do not move cones or barricades to park, these lots are blocked for retail customers while you are on your ride.

Please note that while there is plentiful parking, this lot will be open for public use as well.

Celebrate the day and your successful ride at the Post Ride Party following the ride at The Shops at Northfield from 10am to 4pm.

 All ride registrations include a meal ticket – your bib number will serve as your ticket and cyclists will have the ability to choose the meal of their choice. Meals will be served starting at 11:00am. 

Guests can shop, compare and sample from more than 20 sponsors and exhibitors at the on-site expo. Fantastic food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the Post Ride Party from the various restaurants of Northfield. Includes fun family activities and an expo to explore. Your bib number will also serve as your ticket to the Beer Stations where you can enjoy a limited number of beverages.

Location- We anticipate the 2023 Ride HQ to be once again located inside a vacant store on Main Street at the Shops at Northfield.  You will be informed of the exaction location prior to Ride Week. There is plenty of FREE parking in and around The Shops at Northfield.

Walk-Up/On-Site Registration–Walk-up/On-site Registration for the ride will be available during the hours listed below.  We encourage you however, to register online to take advantage of online discounts as well as to minimize wait time at onsite registration.

If you are already registered, you may pick up bibs, helmet stickers, goodie bags and purchase or pick up pre-ordered merchandise at the times listed below.

Bib/Merchandise Pick Up– The exact location of the pick-up area at Ride HQ/Registration at The Shops at Northfield (8354 E 49th Ave #1740, Denver, CO 80238) will be announced by September 15, 2023.

To avoid crowding and wait lines, we strongly encourage cyclists to pick up bib(s), helmet stickers, goodie bags and merchandise prior to ride day and during one of the pick-up times listed below:

• Thursday, September 21, 2023: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Friday, September 22, 2023: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• RIDE DAY- Saturday, September 23, 2023: Beginning at 5:30 am

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