Home to the 719 Ride Distinctives and Spirit
Who is Ottavio Severo?
A brief introduction to the man, myth and legend
A regular and popular participant of Six Day racing in London throughout the late 1870s, Colombo Ottavio Severo came across the Atlantic to show his skill in Chicago and Boston in 1879. He arrived in Colorado Springs in May 1898 and promptly set to work on a bicycle race to the top of Pikes Peak.
He died in 1923 with his dream unrealized.
Nearly 100 years later, we celebrate Ottavio and his vision with five turns of the strength-sapping, resolve wrecking Course That Cannot be Defeated.
Our Beliefs and Vision
When in the course of human events, it become necessary to make a statement of belief and faith in matters of import, a decent respect for the history of cycling requires us to declare what we believe.
What is The Severo Society?
and The Order of Ottavio?
The Severo Society is an exclusive club of grimpeurs, puncheurs, diesels, mashers, granny gears and bricks united by a love for cycling and a challenge that involves roads that tilt up.
Members of The Severo Society notching historic levels of relative effort in the successful pursuit of a DIY 719 are elevated to The Order of Ottavio.
Point 1 Blog
The hub that turns the 719 Ride Wheel
POINT 1 honors the tradition, lore and culture of cycling, fuels the 719 Ride ethos and celebrates both elevation and Italia.
Pedal the springs Podcast
Friend to the 719 Ride
Episode 12 of the Pedal the Springs podcast aired May 24, 2022 and answered the most pressing questions about the FESTIVAL OF NEVER-ENDING ASCENDING.
- What is the 719 Ride is about?
- How did the 719 Ride come to be?
- How was the 719 Ride route chosen?
- What is the appeal of the 719 Ride?
- Why would a non-passionate rider of bikes want to do the 719 Ride?
A Colorado Springs Original
First conceived and ridden in 2016, the 719 Ride aspires to be a bicycle event that contributes to the culture and community of Colorado Springs. FORZA Colorado Springs!
Riding in the draft of many great and long-established Colorado cycling events, this Colorado Springs Original hopes to become a positive part of the Colorado Springs tradition and identity while celebrating the tradition, lore and culture of cycling and helping set the pace for cycling fun in the Rocky Mountain region.
Since 2022, the 719 Ride has been the official cycling event of the Rocky Mountain State Games. It was also an official partner event in the 2023 Suarez Gran Fondo National Series and 2023 Gran Fondo World Tour.
