Discover Denver by bike at the 2021 Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride

Jun 22, 2021
ByBicycle Colorado

Discover Denver by bike at the 2021 Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride

The 2021 Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride takes place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, and the biggest reason we think YOU should register is because your entry supports bike advocacy! Read on to learn more about this Bicycle Colorado Champion Event Member.

We are proud to partner with the Denver Century Ride, and we want to share more about the big day on September 25 and why you should join us there! Bicycle Colorado will be at the expo and post-ride party, and we encourage our members to stop by and say hello at our tent. Read on to see some fun pictures from years’ past, learn about the courses and discover which would be a good fit for you.

A group of people ride bikes on a paved road to the foreground right of the frame. In the background, there is a bridge under which the riders are biking.

The Denver Century Ride is a unique opportunity to ride Denver streets during a fully-supported event complete with enticing aid stations, choices for lunch and a cold drink at the post ride street party. Because they offer four urban-based routes ranging from 25-100 miles, there truly is a ride for almost everyone. It has historically been one of the best ways of connecting riders to the Denver Metro area. Our partners at the Denver Century Ride encourage you to discover Denver by bike with them for an enjoyable, supportive and FUN atmosphere.

And, they are sweetening up the invitation to ride by offering a special 20% registration discount to all Bicycle Colorado members! Don’t have the code? Email erica@bicyclecolorado.org to get your Bicycle Colorado member discount code!

Three people ride bikes on a road toward the right of the frame. The Denver Aquarium is behind them.

This year features 100-, 85-, 50- and 25-mile routes. Each of these looped courses utilizes bike lanes and open roads to connect the various regions of the Denver Metro Area. The founders of the Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride believe bicycling is not just a sport but a way of life, which is why they design routes that explore the many diverse neighborhood streets of the metro area and support bicycle advocacy groups like Bicycle Colorado to make everyday bicycling a bit easier.

Click below to learn more about each and see the route maps:

25-Mile Route

Is this route for you?
This route is for everyone! It is attainable for all ages and is very safe as it takes you off busy city streets.

Official Wave Start & Cutoff Times:
7:25am – 8:10am: All 25 mile cyclists will start
1:00pm – Official Cut Off Time for the 25 mile cyclists

25 Mile Route At A Glance:
Distance: 26.7 miles
Elevation: +692 / -691
Max. Grade: 5.2%
Avg. Grade: 0.0%
Start/Finish: The Shops at Northfield – 8230 E. Northfield Blvd, Denver CO, 80238

Route Description & Highlights:
The 25 mile route is for everyone! It showcases the city’s historic neighborhoods and natural gems as you travel through eight city parks on connected bicycle commuter streets and paths.

Screenshot of the 25-mile route of the Denver Century Ride.

50-Mile Route

Is this route for you?
This is the perfect option if you want a great route but do not feel ready for a major climb or extra miles. It is the perfect ride to explore some of Denver’s connected bike routes and cycling roadways.

Official Wave Start & Cutoff Times:
7:25am – 8:10am: All 50 mile cyclists start
**All cyclists riding the 50 mile Route must be through Aid Station #1 by 9:00am. After 9:30am there will be no Denver Police Department support.
4:00pm The 50 mile Course Closes

50 Mile Route At A Glance:
Distance: 50.8 miles
Elevation: +1,912 / -1,912 ft
Max. Grade: 6.7%
Avg. Grade: 0.0%
Start/Finish: The Shops at Northfield – 8230 E. Northfield Blvd, Denver CO, 80238

Route Description & Highlights:
This city-centric urban ride starts and stops at Northfield, weaves through old-elegant Denver along tree-lined streets and drops into downtown by way of Coors Field, Union Station and Confluence Park. Cyclists head as far west as Crown Hill Park & Cemetery before turning south rolling past many of the areas City Parks and green spaces. As the ride continues it utilizes the beautiful streets of Cherry Hills Village and enters James A Bible Park. Additionally, Cook Park and Crestmoor Park are among some highlights of the cruise back north to the Post Ride Street Party.

Screenshot of the 50-mile route of the Denver Century Ride.

85-Mile Route

Is this route for you?
With fewer miles, this will not be as demanding as the 100 mile route. We recommend this route if you want to learn how to circumnavigate the Greater Denver Metro Area. This route takes you with the 100 mile cyclists, but bypasses the climb.

Official Wave Start & Cutoff Times:
6:45am – 7:15am: All 85 mile cyclists start
**All cyclists riding the 85 MUST be through Aid Station #1 by 8:15am. Any cyclists remaining at Aid Station #1 after 9:00am will be directed to ride the 25 mile route. This is for rider safety; after 9:30am there will be no Denver Police Department support along the longer routes.

4:00pm – The 85 mile course closes

85 Mile Route At A Glance:
Distance: 87.4 miles
Elevation: +4,051/ -4,051 ft
Max. Grade: 9.3%
Avg. Grade: 0.0%
Start/Finish: The Shops at Northfield – 8230 E. Northfield Blvd, Denver CO, 80238

Route Description & Highlights:
Like the 100 mile route, the 85 mile route is designed to help cyclists discover how easy it is to get out to the mountains by bike with the Downtown Denver skyline in full view and relish in the proximity of city and country. It highlights some of Denver’s bicycle commuter routes and casual riding areas, but this route joyfully eliminates the challenge of the climb UP Lookout Mountain (not everyone has the need to climb like a mountain goat!).

Screenshot of the 85-mile route of the Denver Century Ride.

100-Mile Route

Is this route for you?
This is the most challenging of all of the Denver Century Ride routes, with distance and a significant climb. If you are going to do this route, we recommend that you put some miles on your legs and do some climbing in the weeks prior to the ride. Never done a century ride before? Don’t let that deter you! Think of how accomplished you will feel by making the Denver Century Ride be your first century ride ever!

Official Wave Start & Cutoff Times:
6:45am – 7:15am: All 100 mile cyclists start
**All cyclists riding the 100 mile route must be through Aid Station #1 by 8:10am. Any cyclists remaining at Aid Station #1 after 9:30am will be directed to ride the 25 mile route. This is for rider safety; after 9:30am there will be no Denver Police Department support along the longer routes. Additionally, 100 mile riders must be at 19th & Jackson in Golden (mile 25) before 9:20am or they will be directed to ride the 85 mile route.
4:00pm – The 100 Mile Course Closes

100 Mile Route At A Glance:
Distance: 102.9 Miles
Elevation: +6,041 / -6,042
Max. Grade: 9.9%
Avg. Grade: 0.3%
Start/Finish: The Shops at Northfield – 8230 E. Northfield Blvd, Denver CO, 80238

Route Description & Highlights:
The 100 mile route is designed to help cyclists discover how easy it is to get out to the mountains by bike with the Downtown Denver skyline in full view and relish in the proximity of city and country. It highlights some of Denver’s bicycle commuter routes and casual riding areas, including a challenging climb from Golden through Lookout Mountain.

Screenshot of the 100-mile route of the Denver Century Ride.

Two people ride a tandem bike on a paved mountain road.

A group of people ride bikes on a paved road. There is an REI store in the background.

A group of people pose with their bicycles for the camera on a paved street with a building behind them. In the foreground is a person using an adaptive handcycle.

Making your cycling experience fun, convenient and safe is paramount to the Denver Century Ride. The well-placed aid stations feature a variety of fresh fruit, salty snacks, sweet treats and endurance nutrition products, not to mention ice-cold drinks. The long-distance routes offer a full fresh lunch to keep cyclists strong, healthy and recharged.

Once you successfully complete your selected route, you get to join the post-ride party! All routes end at the Shops at Northfield, where bicyclists are rewarded with an ice-cold beer after crossing the finish line. You’ll get to experience the post-ride food, entertainment and a bicycling and lifestyle expo. With multiple Northfield restaurants from which to choose, you can enjoy a satisfying meal of your choice along with a frosty beverage in the shaded seating area.

For detailed route descriptions and maps, complete event information, news updates and to register for the fully supported route of your choice, visit DenverCenturyRide.com, and find them on Facebook. Don’t forget to use your special Bicycle Colorado member code for your 20% registration discount!

See you there!

Two people riding on a road toward the left side of the frame. One is waving and smiling. There is a city skyline in the background.

Bicycle Colorado thanks the Denver Century Ride for their generous support. As a proud Champion Event Member, they contribute to the work we do every day.

About the Author: Bicycle Colorado

Bicycle Colorado is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Denver. We use advocacy, education and passion to make Colorado one of the most bicycle-friendly states in the nation. We encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions and provide a voice for people who ride bicycles in Colorado. With the support of our members and numerous partnerships across the public and private sector, we’ve made significant strides in improving bicycling since 1992.