Limited to 2,200 participants, the Tour of the Moon is a unique road cycling race that highlights the beautiful American West. The event takes place in Colorado National Monument, and the surrounding areas of Fruita, Colorado – starting and finishing at the Grand Junction Convention Center in downtown Grand Junction. The race boasts Space Exploration by Bicycle, as the event showcases the Colorado National Monument and its towering sheer-walled rock, deep canyons and breathtaking ‘moon-like’ features. This year’s ride takes place on Saturday, September 14. Register here at Avid Cyclist. This ride welcomes cyclist of all types and abilities. You may even see a Pennyfarthing on the route. It presents inspiring panoramas, competitive cycling, great support, and entertaining events before and after the riding.
This Tour of the Moon embodies serious bike racing and Hollywood DNA. It was featured in the Coors Classic bike race, and in the iconic cycling movie American Flyers starring Kevin Costner. The Coors Classic (1980–1988) was a stage-race sponsored by the Coors Brewing Company. Over the years, the Coors Classic became America’s national tour, listed as the fourth largest bike race in the world after the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a Esapana. The Coors Classic launched the careers of some of the world’s greatest cyclists and paved the way for the sport’s growth in the U.S.
Greg Lemond won the Coors Classic in both ’81 and ’85. He later returned after his first win of 
the Tour de France in what would be an epic battle against his team mate turned rival, Benard Henault, in which Henault took first place.
The Tour of the Moon is also featured in the 1984 film “American Flyers” staring a very young Kevin Costner, which has become a cycling cult classic alone side of “Breaking Away”. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of American Flyers. To mark this, there will be a special showing of the film with VIP ticket and
commemorative movie poster with admission, along with special guests like Bob Shaver of Shaver Sport, (featured in the original movie).
While the Coors Classic is long gone, the Tour of the Moon provides a distant link and tie to history. Its legacy continues as one of the premier road cycling events in the western United States.
The Tour of the Moon provides two course options, a 41-mile loop (Classic Loop) back to Grand Junction, or a 64-mile route (slightly more than a Metric Century) that weaves through the surrounding areas of Fruita. Both courses begin along spectacular 33-mile Rimrock Drive ride through the Colorado National Monument. This is a moderately difficult ride, which rises to 6,640 ft. The route includes steep climbs carved into sandstone walls, winding canyon rims, pinyon and juniper forests, and views of red rock monoliths and the Grand Valley. From Rimrock Drive the two courses divide. A portion of registration fees support One Riverfront and Bicycle Colorado.
One RiverFront Foundation is the volunteer board that works collaboratively with partners to foster community stewardship and enhance the Colorado and Gunnison River corridors. Described as a string of pearls the community amenities of the corridor is comprised of county lands, city parks, state parks/wildlife areas and even private lands with special easements to allow public access to the trail system. Their Vision: A Colorado River system that is a centerpiece of the Grand Valley for ecologic, economic, cultural, and recreational values.
Avid Cyclist Rewards members also receive a 10% discount on entries to this ride as well as the upcoming Tour de Vineyards.
For more information, visit Here
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