Q: What should I expect on or from the 719 Ride?

Expect climbing. Lots of it. Expect to question yourself. "Why am I doing these climbs five times?" Expect to struggle with temptation every time you loop past the start/finish point. Do you have another 1,838' of climbing and another lap in you? Expect to ponder doing, or marvel at those who might do, a 719 Century, the Double 719 or the Himalayan 719 Double Century. Expect strength-sapping, resolve-wrecking heat. A temperature in the mid-90s is typical. Do NOT expect swag, on-course aid stations, cheering crowds, or accolades. They're great if they happen, but this is grassroots. Expect to have fun.

Question 1

What does my registration fee get me?

Accepted Answer

The 719 Ride registration fee, small in comparison to most events, pays for:

the USA Cycling event permit, rider surcharge fee and event insurance
a city permit, which eliminates the risk of any roadwork or work projects interfering with the event
use of the Chipeta Elementary School parking lot, grounds and and building restrooms
on-course traffic control by Colorado Springs police officers at key intersections
Orange route arrows placed on the road to signal all upcoming turns
A free pint at Trinity Brewing Company and discounts at several other Colorado Springs businesses

Additionally, photographs will be taken on The Course That Cannot be Defeated throughout the day. They will be made available to you for free, as a thank you for riding with us.

Mechanical support will also be available at the start/finish courtesy of Cycledelic Bikes.

Registration does not include aid stations on the course or at the start/finish with fruit, gels, bars, water, hydration mix, sunscreen, etc. The 719 Ride is a self-supported event.

Question 2

Is this really a self-supported ride?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You really are expected to provide your own food, hydration and gear support. There are no on-course aid stations.

Question 3

Can I expect ANY support on the course?

Accepted Answer

If by support you mean encouragement and cheering, there could be a little.

A few residents handed out popsicles and brought out their hoses for a refreshing spray as riders passed by last year. But if you need more cowbell, you should encourage your family and friends to come out.

If by support you mean on-course aid stations with food, water, hydration mix, sunscreen, a bike mechanic, portable toilets, first aid/medical help, etc., the answer is no.

However, Cycledelic Bikes will be available at the start/finish to address mechanical issues, and there will be a tent at the school to provide basic first aid.

If a serious medical need arises on the course or during the event, call 911 for assistance.

Portable toilets will be on the course, but they are public accessible and not put in place specifically for the ride. They are located at:

Mountain Shadows Park - next to Chipeta Elementary School at the start/finish
Wilson Ranch Community Park – miles 2 and 10
Woodmen Valley Park – mile 5
Blodgett Peak Open Space – mile 8

You will also have access to the pint-sized restrooms inside Chipeta Elementary School for your body's relief needs.

Question 4

Can I get a cue sheet or route file for my GPS device?

Accepted Answer

Print a cue sheet with turn-by-turn instructions, or send a GPS route file to your device, courtesy of Ride With GPS.

Question 5

When does the course open?:

Accepted Answer

The course is always open. You may begin riding whenever you wish; however, a "departure window" between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. is suggested.

If you wish to embrace the spirit of the ride, start at 7:19 a.m.

The Colorado Springs Police Department will be on the course directing traffic between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and access to the toilets inside Chipeta Elementary School will be available from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Question 6

Are there portable toilets on the course?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are portable toilets located along the course at:

Mountain Shadows Park - next to Chipeta Elementary School at the start/finish
Wilson Ranch Community Park – miles 2 and 10
Woodmen Valley Park – mile 5
Blodgett Peak Open Space – mile 8

These portable toilets are publicly accessible and not put in place specifically for the ride.

Riders will also have access to the pint-sized restrooms inside Chipeta Elementary School between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Question 7

Can you recommend a place to stay while I'm in Colorado Springs for the 719 Ride?

Accepted Answer

The Buffalo Bicycle Lodge, located a little over 5 miles from our start at Chipeta Elementary School, is offering a 50% discount on their signature bicycle-theme suites. Call them at (719) 634-2851 to make a reservation.

Question 8

How and when will photos be made available?

Accepted Answer

Photos will be made available through Google Photos. A link to the 2021 album will be sent out about a week after the event.

Question 9

Why isn't the 719 Ride on July 19 any longer?

Accepted Answer

The desire to preserve the 719 ethos in all things is strong in this one. But this one aspires to become a part of the Colorado Springs identity and cycling tradition. That means more cowbell is needed.

Based on the responses to our 2020 post-ride survey, which 68% of registered riders replied to, the decision was made not to have the 2021 event on Monday, July 19.

66% of survey respondents indicated they think the 719 Ride should be moved to the weekend

67% of survey respondents indicated that having the 719 Ride on the weekend increased their likelihood of participation

Question 10

What should I expect on or from the 719 Ride?

Accepted Answer

Expect climbing. Lots of it.

Expect to question yourself. "Why am I doing these climbs five times?"

Expect to struggle with temptation every time you loop past the start/finish point. Do you have another 1,838' of climbing and another lap in you?

Expect to ponder doing, or marvel at those who might do, a 719 Century, the Double 719 or the Himalayan 719 Double Century.

Expect strength-sapping, resolve-wrecking heat. A temperature in the mid-90s is typical.

Do NOT expect swag, on-course aid stations, cheering crowds, or accolades. They're great if they happen, but this is grassroots.

Expect to have fun.

Question 11

Laps? Why is the 719 Ride a bunch of laps?

Accepted Answer

It takes a special type of person to be attracted to a ride with lots of elevation gain and an even special-er person to embrace repeating the same climbs over and over and over again. Plus two more overs.

The 719 Ride is a short loop course because loops and laps are spectator friendly, and they offer opportunities for regrouping and handling your own food and gear support.

Family and friends can lend support and encouragement as you pass by again and again. The kids can play in one of the parks along the route or hand you a musette bag from one hand while they hold an ice cream cone in the other. Josh and John’s Ice Cream is along the route.

A loop course adds a mental challenge to the occasion. Distance is hard. Distance with climbing is harder. Distance with climbing the same hills over and over and over again is harder still.

That's why we do laps.

Question 12

How long does it take to complete a lap?

Accepted Answer

The "sweet spot" is 55 to 70 minutes. Some have gone faster, and many go slower. The full range tends to be 45 to 105 minutes. Later laps seem to take many people 10 to 15 minutes longer than the earlier laps.

Question 13

How does the 719 Ride compare to other Colorado cycling events?

Accepted Answer

Favorably. The 719 Ride is as fun, challenging, rewarding and worth doing as any bicycle event in Colorado.

"I have done the Triple Bypass, Copper Triangle, Mt. Evans Hill Climb, Elephant Rock, and Pikes Peak. 719 Ride is Number One!"

— Mark Ayers, 2020 I Cinque Giri Finisher

Mile for mile the 719 Ride has more elevation gain than almost any other single-day event in Colorado.

The 719 Ride signature distance, I Cinque Giri, climbs 9,190' over 71.9 miles for an Epic Climbing Score of 127.82.

And if 71.9 miles isn't far enough for you, you always have longer ride options available, including the 719 Century, Double 719 and Himalayan 719 beckoning.

This is how other Colorado cycling events compare climbing-wise.

12 Hours of Penitence — 12 hour limit. 1,700' of elevation gain per 17-mile lap. 100 ECS

Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb — 7,000' of elevation gain in 28 miles. 250 ECS

Buffalo Cycling Classic Buff Epic — 102 miles. 8,729' of elevation gain. 85.58 ECS

Copper Triangle — 6,500' of elevation gain. Three mountain passes. 79 miles. 82.28 ECS

Crooked Gravel — 8,100' of climbing. 93 miles. Almost entirely on gravel. 87.69 ECS

Elephant Rock — 5,700' of elevation gain in the 100-mile road ride. 57 ECS

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic — 50 miles. 5,700' of elevation gain. Two 10,000' passes. 114 ECS

Leadville Trail 100 MTB — 11,000' of rugged and iconic elevation gain. 110 ECS

Park 2 Park Challenge — 11,251' of elevation gain in 99.4 miles. 113.19 ECS

Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb — 4,725' of elevation gain in 12.4 miles. 380.43 ECS

Rampart Rager — 73 miles. 80% dirt. 6,700' of elevation gain. 91.78 ECS

Royal 50 MTB Race — 6,460' of elevation gain in 50 miles. 129.2 ECS

Stonewall Century — Out and back over Cucharas Pass. 102 miles and 7,500' of elevation gain. 73.53 ECS

Triple Bypass — 120 miles and three mountain passes ring up 10,990' of total elevation gain. 91.58 ECS

Tour of the Moon — 64 miles. Three tunnels bored through solid rock. Nearly 4,000' of elevation gain. 61.68 ECS

Wild Horse Gravel — 7,100' of climbing on dirt and gravel over 72 miles. 98.61 ECS

Question 14

What is the Epic Climbing Score?

Accepted Answer

The Epic Climbing Score is a simple calculation for comparing the amount of climbing different cycling events have. The equation is total elevation gain divided by total event distance.

The Epic Climbing Score does not indicate one bike event is better than another, or even easier/harder. There are plenty of other factors that contribute to an event's difficulty and that make an event fun, compelling and awesome to ride.

Question 15

Is it the seven nineteen ride or the seven one nine ride?

Accepted Answer

Seven nineteen. Seven hundred nineteen. Seven one nine. They're all possibilities, but NO, NO, YES.  Of course, you can call it whatever you like, just don't call it late for dinner.

Question 16

Is the 719 Ride a charity ride?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no requirement to raise any money. However, donating $7.19 (or more) to Kids on Bikes would be pretty cool. You could even convert your mileage to dollars. Ride 71.9 miles. Donate $71.90

Question 17

Can I ride with my family? Is the 719 Ride suitable for kids?

Accepted Answer

One loop is just over 14 miles. We call it the Goldilocks 719. It’s a doable distance for kids, but it's also challenging because of the amount of climbing. Several parts of the climbs have a double-digit grade. Total elevation gain for the Goldilocks 719 is 1,838'.

Approximately 50 percent of the course has a bike lane. Traffic volume and road conditions vary depending on the road. Participating family members should be comfortable and confident sharing the road with cars passing at speeds between 30 and 50 miles per hour.