Cañon City - Phantom Canyon - Shelf Road Loop (Challenge Series #5)

This gravel loop is ride #5 in the RMCC Challenge Series (https://www.rockymountaincyclingclub.com/rmcc-challenge-series)

This classic route is considered one of the premier gravel rides in Colorado. We will meet at the Wal*Mart in Cañon City (NW side of the lot) at 9:15 for a 9:30 departure. After a few warm-up miles on pavement, we'll head up Phantom Canyon road, which snakes its way through a spectacular canyon up to Victor. We then jog over to Cripple Creek where we'll have our regroup point. The route then descends the equally amazing Shelf Road and we then finish with the last several miles of pavement back into town.

The total loop is 66 miles with about 6000 feet of climbing. It's not the longest ride in the Challenge Series, but it will give your camera a great workout!

It's a bit of a drive from Denver, but well worth it. We will likely plan a Saturday ride down in the area as well for those who want to come for the weekend.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31703938

Regroup Point:
Gas-n-Roll in Cripple Creek (mile 38)

Note that the regroup point does come after 4000 feet of climbing, so please hydrate appropriately. Also note that this should be considered a drop ride although we will regroup occasionally.

Note: This is still the time of the year when rides may need to be rescheduled/changed due to weather. And we may yet tweak some things on the route as well. If you're interested in this ride please RSVP so you'll be notified in the event there are changes.

Non-dues-paying members are welcome and invited to join us on any ride! After three rides we do ask that you join the club: https://www.rockymountaincyclingclub.com/rmcc-membership-application-form

Lastly, for our Challenge Series rides, we like to have a second ride leader to help make the rides more friendly. Please PM me if you are willing to help out on this one!