80 miles with 5,900 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Copper Triangle - State Visited:
Colorado
Copper Triangle - Cities/Towns Visited:
Vail, Leadville, and Minturn
Copper Triangle - Climbs:
Mile 5 (cat. 2), 22 (cat. 2), 50 (cat. 4), and 65 (cat. 4)
Copper Triangle - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 43 (Leadville)
Copper Triangle - Description:
Copper Triangle, also known as Leadville Loop, is a classic Colorado road bike ride. This ride starts in Vail and follows the loop clockwise, which seems to be the more common direction. Since a few years ago, there is also an organized event, starting at Copper Mountain Resort.
The ride climbs three mountain passes, including Vail Pass (10,666 feet), Fremont Pass (11,318 feet), and Tennessee Pass (10,424 feet), followed by a fourth climb up Battle Mountain.
Between Vail and Copper Mountain Resort the route follows the frontage road and Vail Pass bike path. Then it continues on Highway 91 towards Leadville (the highest city in the United States). From here the route follows Highway 24 to Minturn. The final miles are again on a bike path that leads to the frontage road and back to Vail.
Copper Triangle - Pictures:
[Vail Pass Bike Path]
[Mountain Lake]
[Fremont Pass]
[Leadville]
[Tennessee Pass]
[War Memorial]
[Eagle River Bridge]
Copper Triangle - Personal Notes:
I rented a bike at Vail Bike Tech (Lionshead Mall) and put on my own pedals and seat. Since the store opens at 8:30 AM, I got a late start. Luckily the weather remained stable.
Stopping at the 10th Mountain Division World War II Memorial on top of Tennessee Pass was an intense emotional experience, especially since I know the Italian Apennines where almost 1,000 of these men lost their lives facing German positions.
Copper Triangle - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in the United States.