Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA) and Trail of the Ancients Byway Association (TOTA) are pleased to announce this year’s RIDE OF THE ANCIENTS BICYCLE GRAVEL GRINDER on July 9, 2022. This event is the signature fundraiser for both organizations that support responsible recreation on public lands. SCCA, as Friends of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, hosts numerous volunteer opportunities for stewardship and a tour program to educate the public about our significant cultural history. TOTA is a 114-mile route that traverses across the terrain of the Ancestral Puebloan people. It is also designated as an America’s Byway by the federal government.
The event will feature 3 routes:
103 miles that takes riders through road, gravel, and single track within the scenic San Juan National Forest, past Dunton Hot Springs and Ground Hog Reservoir. A slightly shorter route is available for those preferring no single track. Please specify that when registering.
30 miles that takes riders through road and gravel in the San Juan National Forest. E-bikes are allowed on this route. Please specify that when registering.
NEW THIS YEAR! Our FAMILY AFFAIR, 19 miles through the Boggy Draw system on road, gravel, and single track, will highlight 2 generations of the same family. Riders choose between categories of 2 adult generations, adult-teen, or adult-youth.
All rides begin and end in Flanders Park in Dolores, Colorado. Music and commentary by Bentley Monk will provide additional excitement while spectators enjoy shopping with vendors in the park and lunch with Kelly’s Kitchen or Yia-Yia’s Concessions.
Music by Ed Kabotie and tha ‘Yoties, Sage Bond, and Hunter E. Redday at the Dolores River Brewery will begin at 1:00 p.m. A $5 cover will be charged for non-riders.
Volunteer positions of 2-3 hours are still available for the Ride day and before. Volunteers needed for course marshals, aid stations, entry to the Beer Garden, and more. All volunteers receive a “swag” bag with a RotA ball cap and lots of goodies!
This year, SCCA and TOTA aim to make the entire weekend special by showcasing Native talents. Friday, July 8, Navajo stand-up comedians James and Ernie will perform at the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery in Cortez. Saturday’s music features Tewa-Hopi Ed Kabotie, and Navajo Sage Bond and Hunter E. Redday. On Sunday, Ed will provide an Alter-Native History at the Cortez Cultural Center.
We thank our numerous sponsors for these events that include Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, Montezuma County Lodgers Tax, LOR Foundation, Empire Electric, Basin Co-op, Dolores Chamber of Commerce, Dolores River Brewery, Cortez Cultural Center, Oveja Negra, Wolf Tooth, Waste Management, and many more.
Go to the www.rideoftheancients.com for additional information and to register for the ride or to volunteer.
This event was submitted through the Bluff Rumor Mill form. To submit your own event, start here.
Canyon Echo 