15th Anniversary

Tour of the Vineyards
presented by

Saturday, September 20, 2008

To register, click here. If you want a copy of the brochure click here.

For informational video by Cycle Tours , click here.

A great way to celebrate the start of fall, by joining in this bicycle tour of Colorado’s Wine Country. This 25-mile ride through the vineyards of the Western Slope (on paved roads with a few hills) gives cyclists an opportunity to pass by the area’s wineries, as well as acres of fruit orchards, located in the Grand Valley of Palisade, CO prior to the Colorado Mountain Winefest “Festival in the Park”.

Start & Finish at Peach Bowl Park (take exit 42 off I-70 and go south less than a mile to 5th and Elberta). FREE SHOWERS WILL BE AVAILABLE at the pool in the park (you bring towels, soap, etc). The “Festival in the Park” (Riverbend Park) is only 5 blocks from the start/finish and a shuttle bus will be available from Peach Bowl Park. The ride begins between the hours of 7-8 am (start at your leisure during this time frame). Tour participants receive a colorful T-shirt featuring the artwork of Buffalo Kaplinski, course map, welcome packet, and post-ride pasta salad brunch, all for only $35. For an additional fee of $40 (or $20 non drinker), receive a ticket to the acclaimed wine tasting event, the Colorado Mountain Winefest “Festival in the Park”. You must purchase a ticket for entrance to this great event.

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 19

4:30-8 pm Packet Pickup/Registration
Palisade High School
(exit #42, south .8 mile to Hwy 6, west .4 mile to Palisade High School)

Saturday, September 20

7-8 am Late Registration/Packet Pickup, Peach Bowl Park (I-70, exit #42, south on Elberta to 5th)

7-8 am Begin your 25-mile bike tour by the areas wineries, vineyards and fruit orchards. All participants must begin the ride NO LATER than 8 am to avoid winefest traffic. Aid Station is halfway at Carlson Vineyards. Course closes at 11:30 am. See where the west slope wineries are located and return to purchase their great wine before heading home!

9:30-11:30 am Refreshments and Prize drawings at Peach Bowl Park. The Colorado Mountain Winefest “Festival in the Park” opens its doors at 10:30 am with wine tasting, food booths, and great jazz entertainment until 5:30 pm.

IMPORTANT- All participants are required to wear APPROVED helmets. NO Trailers are allowed. Participants will also be required to have a photo ID to sample wine at the festival. PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND RIDE!!!!!

COURSE MAP

ELEVATION PROFILE MAP

RIDER INSTRUCTIONS

CYCLIST SAFETY INFORMATION       
 
To assist in everyone's enjoyment of the tour, please click on the link below and read our safety instructions. We want all you to have a safe and FUN RIDE!!!! SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Lodging Information

The Colorado Mountain Winefest, along with the Tour of the Vineyards, are the largest events in the Grand Valley. Book your rooms early!! To make a reservation online at any of the area hotels please CLICK HERE. Or contact the Grand Junction Visitors and Convention Bureau for room availability at 800 962-2547. We look forward to seeing you at the events!!!

Parking

On street parking is available at the Start/Finish, so plan on arriving early. Additional parking is located at Palisade Middle School, Taylor Elementary School, Riverbend Park and Palisade High School. Please do not park in areas that have NO PARKING signs. For complete festival parking and shuttle information, please go to www.coloradowinefest.com

SUPPORT BICYCLE COLORADO
 
Bicycle Colorado is the nonprofit organization dedicated to building a bicycle-friendly Colorado. They lead the effort to safeguard your favorite rides and address the serious threats bicyclists face. Bicycle Colorado is the leading statewide organization improving cycling conditions and keeping Colorado’s 86,000 miles of roads and trails open for bicyclists. For more information on how to join please click here. 

Registration Fees

$35 includes colorful T-shirt featuring the artwork of “Buffalo Kaplinski”, course map, welcome packet, and post-ride pasta salad brunch.

$10 late fee day of event (September 20)

Extras

$15 Extra T-shirt $70-4 color sublimated cycling jersey sponsored by Plum Creek Winery featuring the artwork of Buffalo Kaplinski. Only 110 jerseys are produced, so please order early. $8 Packet Mailing/person -this will include t-shirt, bib number, course map, and jersey (if purchased). Packets will be mailed beginning August 10 through September 9, so please register early if you want this service.

Registration fees are nonrefundable. Packets/t-shirts not picked up will not be mailed after the event.

NO CONFIRMATIONS are mailed in advance-your active confirmation, cancelled check or credit card receipt is your confirmation

MAIL-IN and ONLINE REGISTRATION

Mail-in Registration will be accepted through Monday, September 15. Online Registration will be accepted through Wednesday, September 17, 4 pm, at www.active.com. (active.com charges a surcharge for online registration). Your registration materials will be available for pickup at Palisade High School, 4:30-8 pm Friday, September 19 or the morning of the event, September 20 beginning at 7:00 am at Peach Bowl Park.

For an additional $8/person (postage/handling), we will mail your packet - this will include your t-shirt, bib number, course map, and jersey (if purchased). Welcome packets will available at Friday night check-in or Saturday morning. Packets will be mailed beginning August 10 through September 9, so please register early if you want this service. No packet mailings will be accepted after the September 9 deadline.

IN PERSON REGISTRATION

For those wishing the convenience of walk-in registration, please complete the entry form and bring your fee (cash/check only-no credit cards) to Palisade High School, Friday, September 19, from 4:30-8 pm. You will be able to pick up your complete ride packet at this time. Late registration is available Saturday between 7-8 am at Peach Bowl Park. A late fee of $10 will be assessed on Saturday morning.

2008 FESTIVAL IN THE PARK DIGITAL TICKETS

Digital tickets for the Festival in the Park in 2008 will be sold directly through the Colorado Winefest (www.coloradowinefest.com). The Tour will still honor tickets requests for those mailing in the Tour brochure (as it was printed prior to the change) and for those already registered on active.

2008 ticket prices: $40 - 21 & older ticket to the Festival in the Park in advance- $50 day of event at the gate.

$20 Designated/Non Drinker ticket

17th ANNUAL COLORADO MOUNTAIN WINEFEST
September 18-21

Savor four days of wine, food, friends, fun and adventure! Winefest is the original, the oldest, and the largest Colorado wine celebration in the state, with seminars, golf at spectacular Redlands Mesa, winery tours, winemaker dinners... all in the heart of scenic Colorado wine country during the cool fall colors of harvest.

Following the Tour of the Vineyards, attend the highlight of the weekend, the Festival in the Park. Now in a larger location at Riverbend Park, taste wines from 40 Colorado wineries, enjoy great live jazz, more than 50 fabulous food booths and artisans, dueling chef demos, and try the grape stomp (less than .5 mile from Peach Bowl Park).

For VIP tickets, and other event/seminar tickets, maps and information on the Colorado Mountain Winefest, please call (800) 704-3667 or visit www.coloradowinefest.com

For additional information on the Tour of the Vineyards, contact the Event Marketing Group at www.emgcolorado.com or emgmh@emgcolorado.com  or 303 635-2815

© 2008 Event Marketing Group LLC