Our route for the 2024 Ridge of the Rockies begins in the northern town of Kalispell, Montana. It is just south of Glacier National Park, which is located closer to the Canadian border. Riders will have the option of arriving in Kalispell a day earlier to pedal up the classic climb on the “Going to the Sun” highway. It is suggested that riders rent a car and drive into the Park or to the base of the climb to make sure they complete the climb before the 11:00 AM deadline for bikes to reach the summit.

The tour begins by heading south across Montana. The first day to Missoula begins with a fairly flat 121 mile ride. On the second day, the distances and climbing are more serious with a 135-mile day with 6,000 feet of climbing. The scenery is impressive as the mountain grades become more common. This is why you need to train to ride this tour. Anyone who has not been training at least 300 miles per week during the summer will start to feel the efforts of not being prepared.

The route heads south with an easier 87 mile ride along the Madison River through the fly fishing resort of Ennis. We continued to gain elevation the next day with a gradual climb to the village of West Yellowstone located on the edge of Yellowstone Park. We will have a “flex stay over day” in West Yellowstone for riders to choose from a variety of routes visiting different areas of the park. These rides could be from 50 to 100 miles depending on which loops are ridden. Riders also have the option of a rest day to visit the park in an organized touring van supplied by the park service at an extra cost.

Leaving Yellowstone Park we head into Idaho on our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We will climb up the west side of Teton Pass before descending the steep 55 mph grade while coasting into town. We will have another “flex stay over day” in Jackson for riders to explore the region near Jenny Lake.

On the 8th day we will continue south to Montpelier, Idaho. We will cross the the original Lincoln Highway which was the first coast to coast highway designated in 1914. This region has many wide open valleys that attracted Mormon settlers in the 1850s. The next night we stay in the small town of Lyman, Wyoming which is surrounded by several ridges of big rolling grades.

The following day we ride through Flaming Gorge on our way to Vernal, Utah. This region has some tough climbs through the forests highlighted by a great twisting descent into Vernal. This was the land of dinosaurs and there is an impressive natural history museum in Vernal.

For the next five days, we will be crossing Colorado on a zig-zag route. An optional route goes through the Colorado National Monument which has some of the most impressive scenery of the tour. That optional route adds a few miles but it is worth it for faster riders. The next day the climb over the Mesa to Montrose is another classic grade. Each day continues to have at least one major mountain pass as we ride through the towns of Silverton, Durango, and Pagosa Springs. Faster riders will have the option to climb an out-and-back route up and down 10,900 foot Wolf Creek Pass during the afternoon we arrive in Pagosa Springs.

Leaving Colorado we head into New Mexico. There are still plenty of mountain grades ahead going to Taos, Chama, and Santa Fe. The vegetation and terrain are changing, but the scenery is still beautiful in New Mexico. We end our tour in the 400-year-old city of Albuquerque. We are staying near the “Old Town” which is well-preserved with many shops and museums. If you want to stay over an extra day after the tour, there are many things to see in Albuquerque.

This is the tenth time we have done this tour since 1990. It is always one of the favorite rides for PAC Tour veterans.