Tag: wine

Do you enjoy a good glass of wine and cycling? What if you could do a ride that combines both? If you’re going to be in or near Grand Junction, Colorado around the middle of September, there just might be the perfect ride for you.

The Tour de Vineyards takes in the best of the Colorado Wine Country and explores the Grand Valley and the Western Slope situated around Grand Junction. After the ride, participants are encouraged to take in the Colorado Wine Fest.

Details About the Tour de Vineyards Event

The Tour de Vineyards event occurs September 21 in Grand Junction, Colorado and happens every year. 2024 marks the 30th year of this event. Riders have the option of riding 23 miles or 58 miles. According to the event website, the ride is “Chock-full of wineries, vineyards, orchards and mesas…[and] has a little something for everyone.”

The event is fully supported but happens on open roads, although the organizers attempt to make the ride as safe as possible for riders. They say the ride “includes route signage, law enforcement / medical, road marshals, SAGs, and fully stocked aid stations, to include bike mechanics.”

Pricing and Registration for the Event

The cost to register for the Tour de Vineyards is $115.00. That price goes up $10 to $125 if riders wait to register the weekend of the ride. The registration fee includes the following.

• Commemorative t-shirt
• TdV wine glass charm
• Bike plate & bib
• Amply stocked aid stations with healthy and energizing refreshments
• Post-ride celebration to include brunch, expo and entertainment
• A chance to win valuable prizes

As a point of reference, if riders choose to attend the Colorado Wine Festival, a separate ticket can be purchased for an additional $80.00.

VIP Experience at Tour de Vineyards

Cyclists can choose the VIP experience for the Tour de Vineyards, which includes a pre-ride reception party at the Blue Beryl Winery. The evening includes appetizers, two glasses of wine, vineyard tours, and live music.

Those who choose this option get a few additional perks compared to the standard registration. No additional cost is listed for the VIP upgrade, but, most likely, there is one.

• Private Packet Pick-Up / Welcome Reception 
• Tour de Vineyards Custom Jersey
• Commemorative Event T-Shirt
• TdV Wine Glass Charm
• And More!

Post Ride Expo and Brunch

If the above extras that come with your ride registration are not enough of an enticement to persuade you to sign up, then the post-ride activities might. At the Expo, you can check out the latest cycling gear, equipment, and nutrition at discounted prices. Brunch and live entertainment will also be provided.

Last Thoughts

If you’re a wine enthusiast and a cyclist, the Tour de Vineyards event looks like a perfect way to end the summer or even end your riding season on a high note. The cost for the event seems pretty reasonable for rides of this same caliber and for what it includes.

Considering this is a fully supported ride with only two courses, riders can register knowing they will be looked after fully. But if riding on open roads makes you uncomfortable, you may want to take a pass. But the wine festival and expo after the ride is over are perhaps enough to help you overcome that detail.