Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
The Club for People Who Love to Ride!

Memorial Day Weekend Grand Mesa Loop Tour
by Mary Melick

The three-day Memorial Day Weekend Grand Mesa Loop Tour will start from Rifle on Saturday, May 27^th, and run through Monday, May 29th.  We will meet Friday, May 26^th, 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 26^th:  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 27^th:  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 28^th:  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 29^th:  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.
Note:  Park fees are included, but you must stop at the Ranger Station gate and check out.  Also, watch your speed on the decline into the gate, as they do issue speeding tickets. There are several miles of I-70 highway travel required on the return trip to Rifle, but the shoulder is good all the way.  In Parachute, you can leave the interstate and ride on US Highway 6/24 until you are about two miles outside of Rifle, where you will have to rejoin the interstate. Showers are available at the Rusty Cannon Motel (included) when you return to pick up your vehicle. Just check in at the front desk to ask for a towel. You might want to leave a day bag with toiletries and a change of clothes in your car, so that you will have those items if you arrive at the motel before the SAG wagon does.

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 15^th.

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!