What is a Ramble?

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Summer Ramble

July 14-17, 2021....

What to bring on a Ramble.

No need to pack the kitchen sink.

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Summer Ramble +

August 18-22, 2021....

What's included on a Ramble?

Everything you'll need.

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Fall Ramble

September 22-25, 2021....

2021partners_20_PANARACERnew

rambleride

I'm not sure if folks realize that the ride is a family affair. Today is WD’s 22nd birthday, and he's the only other person besides me who's worked all of them starting at 16. I don't know how many more events we can cajole him to come out on ‘cause his own life is calling. If vintage clothing and denim repair is an interest, give him a follow @coloradoclassicsthrift.

#prouddad #rambleride #independentevent #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

With the lemons of 2020, comes the lemonade of 2021. The new routes are looking fantastic here in Colorado and we can’t wait to get out there with you!

September is full but still some openings for July and August. Come Ramble!

#rambleride #independentevent #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Planning new rides is a serious business. And often frustrating. Planning starts with an idea and pouring over maps and satellite imagery, but not without multiple trips and riding first hand; we'll never take riders on the unknown. Heck, even existing routes need to be, at the minimum, driven before events to make sure they are still possible after winter.

We're not a one-day and need to hook together roughly 400 miles of awesome. Routes need to be drivable for support, and campgrounds need to be in the correct locations. Once we have a place and route, we'll go there in the month we'd like to ride initially and spend close to three weeks over a few trips riding the route and getting more intimate with everything about it. That includes any permit partners, business partners, landowners, or anything else that will make it successful. Routes constantly change once we get on them, so riding them is a critical part of the process.

Case in point: is a .4 mile overland a deal-breaker? Maybe. On a map, it looks easy, and some ruins could make a good lunch spot, but I won't know until I see it. Can it be marked? It's NF, but can I get the OK even if tire tracks exist? Can we drive it, or if not, where does support divert and catch back up? What's the alternative? Often a route will be derailed or miles added because of the tiniest issue.

The only way to know for sure is to ride it ourselves.

#rambleride #independentevent #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Ever wonder where the idea for the Ramble Ride came from? I recently answered several questions about the Ramble for a story. Turns out, Ramble Rides have been long in the making.

Q: Where did the idea come from, and how did you get it off the ground?

A: The first Ramble Ride was in 2016—just a single ride with friends. The following year so many folks were interested; we held three and attracted @newbelgium as a partner for a while. Since then, except for 2020, we've hosted at least three rides a year. They've grown fast in terms of location options and participation.

The idea of supported trips was, for me, something I've done for some time. So when I recognized the possibility of hosting rides, I was really comfortable with a format. I've been riding since 1986, and my first trips were credit-card touring on long training rides of 300-400 miles. They were popular, historical early season rides to get ready for racing. You'd carry just a change of clothes and ride all day, stopping at motels and restaurants. These trips morphed into a more Ramble-Esque ride where we'd have a group of riders, and someone would leapfrog a support van ahead 20 miles or so, everyone taking turns driving.

During that same time, I had lost my driver's license and started riding my bike to college at San Jose State from Santa Cruz. Three days a week, sometimes four, 140 miles a day round trip carrying books and clothing for two semesters. That necessity was the one thing that prepared me for long, solo miles on a bike with gear. Wet, dry, hot, cold, tired; as a cyclist, I grew more having to do this for a school year than any other thing I've done.

After that year, I took the plunge into self-supported touring and took a break from school and toured Europe for a year, riding in nearly every country, including many Eastern Bloc Countries at that time. Nothing teaches you more about living on a bike than living on a bike.

All these early experiences heavily influence what Rambles are today from format, to the challenge and growth opportunities we provide for riders.

#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #rideyourbike

Much to the dismay of many of my bike friends, I'm not much of a maintenance guy. That's why it's essential to have a good shop to set things straight and keep me rambling.

This little trick by @bravenewwheel helps keep my @rideshimano shifting snappy and was a question whenever I came across riders on our last trip. Details matter.

Shout out to our favorite shops that keep us rolling right!

#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel #ibiscycles #hakkamx

I’m often asked what tires I ride, and which are best for the Ramble.

@panaracer_world Gravel Kings, 38c. 100%.

I’ve been riding Panaracer road,MTB, and gravel tires for over 25 years almost exclusively. If you’ve keeping track, way before they supported Ramble Rides. You could bump up to 40c if you’re riding loaded or like to aim for rocks, but 38c does it all for my needs.

#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel #ibiscycles #hakkamx #arizona #newmexico

Where we’ve been? 10 days riding this desert scalpel on some new routes for 2022 that’s where.

I love this bike and have been on an Ibis Hakka MX for almost four years now. It’s my do-all, ride anywhere bike. Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah; it never fails to impress no matter the route and conditions.

Come out on a Ramble and you’ll have a chance to demo a Shimano GRX equipped Hakka for yourself thanks to @ibiscycles support and partnership.

#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel #ibiscycles #hakkamx #arizona #newmexico

We're looking for help!⁠
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2020 was the year we were expanding. Instead, we canceled six events. 2021 will be the year we get back up. But 2022, game on again.⁠
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Volunteers remain a vital role on Rambles. Work that gets rewarded with a free entry. ⁠
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But we need a core team for six and more events—people who'll join us for events and assume a leadership role for their area. It's paid work, 1099 and expenses. You don't have to live in CO necessarily, but it's helpful. You'll need to live in the West, though, for easier traveling. Having a flexible job or lifestyle where you can work for up to a week on events is vital. The event season is April through October, and you don't have to be available for every occasion, but preference is given to those that can work most or all of them for consistency. ⁠
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Working a Ramble is rewarding. It's important that you're a people-person as you'll see all range of emotions on a 5-day 400-mile ride. Days are long, starting around 5:30 am and not over until they are. We work in downtime for folks and have a pretty good delineation of responsibility for camp and route help, though we all work together when needed. ⁠
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What we need are leaders—folks who can make a decision and stick by it. You see something that needs doing, and you do it. Especially on the route, because no matter how much work we do, over 350-400 miles, there will be surprises, and no one will be available to tell you what to do. Safety first, experience second. But the ride is moving, so act fast. ⁠
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Interested? Let us know below or DM an email address. We have an excellent foundation team now, but to do more events, we need more help, and we're looking for all skill sets. 2022 events will be in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. ⁠
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I know this seems early, but 2022 events in less than a year!⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Looking good is feeling good. ⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Not all Ramble Ride experiences are about being on the bike. ⁠
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You'll remember the riding for sure, but the memories you make with the people you're riding with are just as special.⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Sure you're cool. ⁠
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But are you John Watson taking a picture of John Watson cool?⁠
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Prolly not.⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

All our roads are less traveled. ⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Did you know that our partners Moots and Big Agnes take a lot of their inspiration from the Routt National Forest surrounding them?
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Colorado Ramble Rides spend a lot of time in the Routt NF and it's easy to see what inspires some of the best bikes and camping gear out there. ⁠
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Come ride with us and find some of your own backcountry inspiration.⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

For your Sunday night scroll, a preview of the Ramble Ride "Cycling Style" post Covid 2021 look book. Spring fashions will hint to those rugged "wear whatever is clean" days of 2020, but add a pop of neon to spice things up. ⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

It's the weekend right?⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Another Happy Camper. ⁠
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Camp activities are fun, and we've certainly tried out lots of options over the years. But what most riders want after a long day of riding and another ahead is a full belly, a couple of beers, campfire hangouts, and an early night. ⁠
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From the first pedal stroke to the last, our aim is to keep you in that happy camper bubble filling your days with great riding, good food, comraderie and sweet dreams. ⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Ready for long rides, warm sun and high-fives? ⁠
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Well, we'll see about high-fives, but the other two...we're ready. ⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

Did you know that on Ramble Rides your food is included? Break, lunch, and dinner. Snacks too. Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Allergies, eat-whatever-you want. We'll make sure the food is good, and fuels you up for the ride.⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel #campcooking #lodgecastiron

Our five-day Ramble+ heads out to new territory. Are you ready for five days of riding some of the best gravel roads you've ever ridden?⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel

After five years of Ramble Rides, I know this look. ⁠
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The "how much (further) (steeper) (hotter)" look. ⁠
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This is where you start to think maybe "Ramble Ride" is a misnomer. Then you remember you're riding gravel race distances four or five days in a row. At elevation. Carrying gear. Sleeping on the ground and not at the Marriott with their comfy beds. ⁠
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You'll start measuring other efforts by this ride.⁠

And quite a few will start riding more adventures, knowing that they can because they surprised themselves riding a Ramble Ride. ⁠
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At the end, we want you surprised of what you are capable of. Riding our rides, even if you make it part-way, is an accomplishment that you won't soon forget.⁠
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#rambleride #rideshimano #shimanogravel #bikepacking #adventurecycling #gravel #gravelbike #explore #travel #cycling #rideyourbike #adventurebybike #travel #colorado