2011 Tour of BoulDurango to kick off July 18th!

4 breweries embark on a five day, 470 mile ride for charity and craft-brewing brotherhood
5 days ~ 17 brewers ~ 470 Miles ~ 42,000 Vertical Feet of Climbing

Boulder, CO - On Monday, July 18th 2011, 17 brewer-cyclists from Avery Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery, Ska Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing will depart on their bicycles from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder to kick off the Third Annual Tour of BoulDurango: a five day, 470 mile odyssey over 6 majestic mountain passes from Boulder to Durango. En route, these 17 hearty souls will be stopping at craft breweries and brewpubs in an effort to bring together Colorado brewers, raise money for local charities, and encourage the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that has taken hold in the craft beer industry.

The Tour of BoulDurango is the cycling incarnation of the attitude that these breweries have always taken towards the brewing business. "Craft beer isn't about getting rich and cutthroat business practices; it's about following your passions and doing what you love, it's about being part of your local community and working with people who are just as psyched to be in the business as you are" said Adam Avery, President and Brewmaster of Avery Brewing Company. Dave Thibodeau of Ska Brewing added, "We’ve had quite a few brewers from around the country express interest in this-- I think it has the potential to become huge, whether it remains a brewer’s tour and another fun way to hang out with fellow brewers while trying to make a positive difference in our communities, or one day possibly opens to the public.”

Last year Oskar Blues joined Avery and Ska on the tour, sans Dale Katechis of Dale’s Pale Ale fame, but this year he’ll be along for the ride. Steve Grossman and others from Sierra Nevada Brewing will also be joining their Colorado brewing brethren, growing this event outside the borders of Colorado for the first time.

Each evening, after the day’s riding is finished, the brewers are teaming up with other craft breweries along the course to hold fundraising parties, with profits from pint sales, raffles and auctions going to local charities. Participating breweries along the route include: Tommyknocker Brewing, Breckenridge Brewery, Eddyline Brewpub, The Brick Oven Restaurant, Ouray Brewing, Colorado Boy Brewery.

The ride concludes at 2PM on 7/23 at Ska Brewing in Durango with a Finish Line/Tapping Party for Wheelsucker Wheat Ale, a collaboration beer brewed by Ska and Avery to commemorate the ride. Proceeds will go to the La Plata County Safe Roads Coalition.
High Mountain Passes Climbed:
Loveland Pass - 11,992' ~ Hoosier Pass - 11,532' ~ Cottonwood Pass - 12,126’
Red Mountain Pass - 11,008' - Molas Pass - 10,910' - Coal Bank Pass - 10,640'


Details from the 2010 Tour of BoulDurango:

Boulder to Idaho Springs....then to Breckenridge - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-days-1-2.html

Day #2, Loveland Pass - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-day-2-via.html

Breckenridge to Buena Vista - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/tour-of-bouldurango-ted-take-1.html

Day 3 Photos - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-day-3-via-eddieclarkmedia.html

Day 4 Photos - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-day-4-via.html

Day 5 - Arlo, get some sun - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-day-5-crested-butte-to.html

Day 6 - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/bouldurango-day-6-million-dollar.html

One last one - http://oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com/2010/07/final-images-of-2010-tour-of.html