Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
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The three-day Memorial Day
Weekend Grand Mesa Loop Tour will start from Rifle on Saturday, May 27th,
and run through Monday, May 29th. We
will meet Friday, May 26th, at the Rusty Cannon where you can review
the ride and meet your roommate, if you don’t bring your own. The route is from Rifle
to Paonia, Paonia over the Grand Mesa into Grand Junction, and Grand
Junction back to Rifle for an approximate total of 330 miles, which
includes the optional loop out to Colorado National Monument and back. Friday, May 26th: Rifle: The Rusty
Cannon Motel. You
may park your car in a lot adjacent to the Rusty Cannon Motel in Rifle
until you return on Monday. Placards
for your dash will be available when you arrive – see me.
The motel is right off the interstate, approximately one mile outside of
town. Restaurants, other than fast food, are in town. There are three rather
nicely rated restaurants available. No arrangements have been made for dinner
Friday evening, but last year we ate at The Creek Bed – really good food. Saturday, May 27th: Rifle to Paonia, over McClure Pass, is approximately 96.5
miles (all uphill). Paonia:
The Redwood Arms Motel is not in the town of Paonia but on Highway 133,
just outside of town. Dining is in Paonia, and riders will be shuttled to and from
town for dinner. There are a few restaurants in town, but we don’t know much
about them. You can ask at the
motel. Apparently there is a nice
little breakfast place right next door to the motel for Sunday morning eats. Sunday, May 28th: Paonia over the Grand Mesa into Grand Junction is
approximately 105 miles (all uphill). Last
year the shoulder and road were not the best on the downhill side of
Grand Mesa, so ride defensively. There has also been a lot of snow, and it gets
real cold towards the top, so plan your attire to suit the weather. Grand Junction: The
Hampton Inn is down in the older, quaint part of Grand Junction.
Dinner reservations will be made at The Winery in Grand Junction for
Sunday evening, and the restaurant is within walking distance of the hotel. Monday, May 29th: Grand Junction returning to Rifle is approximately 65 miles
(all uphill). You may add an additional 30+ miles by riding the Colorado
National Monument loop. The SAG wagon will carry
water, sport drink, soda, snacks, and lunch items.
If there is a particular item you would like to have available, let me
know, and we’ll try to get it for you. The
SAG will stop approximately every 20 miles. Those riders who ride on past
the SAG will not have the availability of the SAG as often, so they must plan
accordingly. The SAG also carries
general emergency repair items. Remember:
if you need SAG support, raise a fisted hand as we drive by, and we will stop. If you are stopped by the side of the road as we approach, we will
generally stop to see if everything is okay. What to bring:
Bring whatever you want as long as it fits in an “airplane” size
overnight bag and a backpack. No
duffle bags, large suitcases, or hanging suit bags (it’s only 3 nights for
heaven sakes) allowed. There is a
pool at the Rusty Cannon and the Hampton Inn, so you might want to bring a swimsuit. Helmets are required (for the ride, not for the pools). It
has been known to snow on top of the Grand Mesa and reach over 100 degrees in
Grand Junction, so be prepared for every type of weather.
In the event of severe weather, you will have the option of being sagged
forward. We will have small poncho’s available if you want one.
No garbage bags for this group! The cost of the ride
includes accommodations, support, lunch/snacks and evening treats. It will vary
depending on the number of people who register.
If we get eight riders, which is the minimum, the price is $235.00 per
person; if we get ten, the price drops to $215.00; but if we get 12, the price
is $200.00. We have to let the
hotels know by April because Memorial Weekend is graduation for the area and
they will be able to sell unused rooms. A 50% deposit is required by April 15th. There are no disclaimers for this ride because we are not lawyers, so just remember that you ride at your own risk. Please contact
Rick or Mary Melick for information and to reserve your space. Also ask us about the “Joyful Journey” trip planned for this summer!
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