How to Run a Cycling Event in Colorado

Running a cycling event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Colorado charity and amateur rides run on mountain passes, foothill roads, gravel county roads and trail systems, mostly from May through September, drawing everyone from casual riders to local racers.

Formats

Gran Fondo

A long mass-start ride, often 80 to 100 miles, with timed climbs or an overall time.

Road Race

A mass-start race on open or closed roads over one long loop or several laps.

Criterium

A fast race on a short closed loop, usually under a mile, for a set time plus laps.

Time Trial

Riders start alone at set intervals, often 30 or 60 seconds apart, and race the clock.

Gravel

A mass-start ride or race on dirt and gravel roads, often with several distances.

Mountain Bike

A race on singletrack trail loops, often cross-country laps or downhill runs.

Mountain Climb Crown

Time one steep climb on the route and crown the fastest riders. A polka dot jersey or sash for the winners makes for great photos.

Sponsor a Mile

Local businesses or families sponsor each mile of the route with a sign at the roadside. Riders see the support, and sponsors get real visibility.

Lanterne Rouge Award

Honor the last finisher with a red lantern trophy and a big cheer at the finish. It celebrates grit and makes everyone feel welcome.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick cycling and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

Ask each rider for their chosen distance, racing category or experience level, age group, race license number if racing, jersey size and an emergency contact.

Results

Open Course map and race info to upload a GPX file or draw the route, and pin the start, finish, water and parking. Bibs are automatic: set the first bib and every entrant gets the next number when they register. Time it with the phone finish line link, which works with no signal, or upload your timer's results file. Pick age groups and awards, and every entrant gets a results email when you post them.

Event day

Riders pick up numbers at packet pickup, do a quick bike check, line up in waves for the start, ride the course with aid stations, then gather at the finish for results and awards.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Mountain Climb Crown. Time one steep climb on the route and crown the fastest riders. A polka dot jersey or sash for the winners makes for great photos. Sponsor a Mile. Local businesses or families sponsor each mile of the route with a sign at the roadside. Riders see the support, and sponsors get real visibility. Lanterne Rouge Award. Honor the last finisher with a red lantern trophy and a big cheer at the finish. It celebrates grit and makes everyone feel welcome.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: arrange road permits, a sweep vehicle and medical support early, since Colorado road and county permits can take weeks. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.