What do you get when you put together brewers, bicycles and beer? Well, if the brewers are from Avery, Oskar Blues and Ska Brewing companies, just connect the dots. Apparently, you end up with an incredible bicycle tour that starts with a party, spans 473 miles of road, 6 majestic mountain passes, while stopping at breweries along the way, raising money for local charities, and ending with a party. All in all, a helluva good time, right?
If you're like me, and uttered a deep, wistful sigh while sitting at your desk, think again. 473 miles, 6 mountain passes, from Boulder to Durango. Wow. This is what 9 people did, from Avery, Oskar Blues, and Ska breweries, for the 2nd Annual Tour of Boulderango. The purpose of the trip was to stop at craft breweries and brewpubs along the way, bringing together Colorado brewers, to raise money for local charities, and encourage the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration in the craft beer industry.
It started with a release party Sunday, July 18th at Avery Brewing, where they released Wheelsucker Wheat Ale, a collaborative SkAvery brew. The next day the group took off, and headed for Idaho Springs, ending up at Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub. The second day took them over Loveland Pass, where they landed at Breckenridge brewery. The next leg took them over Hoosier Pass, ending up at Eddyline Pub and Brewery. After food, drink, and a jump in the river, the group caught a ride to Amica's for dinner. From Buena Vista on to Crested Butte, winding up the day at Brick Oven Pizza. The next day was the toughest; Crested Butte to Ouray, 130 miles. They stopped in Ridgway, at Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery, enjoyed some great brew, but still had 10 miles to go. As Chad Mellis of Oskar Blues described it, those final 10 miles were “interesting, to say the least”. Then finally, the climb over Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway, with its million dollar views. They finished in Durango with a landing party at Ska Brewing, complete with a live band, where they also featured the Wheelsucker Wheat. The release parties enabled them to raise roughly $1000, to benefit Community Cycles in Boulder, and La Plata County Safe Roads. All in all, an amazing adventure.
Photo by Eddie Clark - Oskar Blues
Bad-ass bike riders from Avery, Oskar Blues, and Ska pause at one of the pinnacles of their ride.
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