Throughout the summer the streets of Breckenridge are packed with people visiting the mountains. From hikers eager to top a nearby mountain to guests trying to get some relief from the Front Range heat, it is not uncommon to see cars lining the main core of downtown Breckenridge. 

Starting on Saturday, Aug. 9, Breckenridge will be filled with a different type of crowd as the Breck Epic mountain bike stage race begins. Now in its 17th year, the Breck Epic features six unique stages set in the rugged backcountry surrounding the historic mining town.

Each stage begins and ends in town, allowing spectators and athletes alike to stay in one place for the entirety of the event. Much like other stage races, the Breck Epic tests athletes both mentally and physically throughout the duration of the event.

In total, cyclists travel over 220 miles throughout the six-day stage race and climb nearly 40,000 feet. Despite the challenges the course and race pose, cyclists of all ages routinely sign up for the trademark event.

The 2025 Breck Epic will officially begin on Saturday, Aug. 9, with athlete and camper check in. Check-in for campers will begin at noon at Stephen C. West Ice Arena with registered rider check-in starting at 2 p.m. at the Epic Athlete Village at Beaver Run Resort.

At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the first particpants meeting will take place. The first meeting is mandatory and will serve as a verbal owner’s manual for the event. 

Following a hopefully restful night of sleep above 9,000 feet, riders will then line up at Stephen C. West Ice Arena at 8:30 a.m. for Stage 1 — Pennsylvania Creek — on Sunday, Aug. 10. The stage will travel 35.7 miles and climb over 5,000 feet before ending in Carter Park.

The second stage of the race on Monday, Aug. 11, will be “The Colorado Trail” portion of the race. The race will begin on Lower Washington Avenue, climb up towards Galena Ditch, across Muggins Gulch before finishing at the B&B Trailhead off of French Gulch Road in Breckenridge.

After traveling over 42 miles on day two of the race, cyclists will hover around the 40-mile mark during Stage 3 — Circumnaviation of Mt. Guyot — on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The challenging stage will once again begin on Lower Washington Avenue before ending at the B&B Trailhead. When riders reach the top of French Pass, cyclists will be given a handful of skittles, giving them a much needed energy boost.

By the midway point of any race it is typical for athletes to second guess if they are fit enough to finish the second half. The Breck Epic is no different as cyclists often show up to the start line weary, sore and tired. Despite the fatigue and their legs screaming for them to stop, athletes continue to charge forward. 

Titled Aqueduct, the fourth stage on Wednesday, Aug. 13, will consist of a 42.3-mile race with 6,473 feet of climbing.

Overwhelmed by headlines? Let us help.

Sign up for daily and weekly newsletters at SummitDaily.com/newsletter

The penultimate stage on Thursday, Aug. 14, will be the shortest stage of the race. Named Wheeler, the stage begins in the Beaver Run parking lot before cutting up the Burro Trail and climbing the Wheeler Trail. 

It is while athletes are making the climb up Wheeler that bacon will be given to athletes courtesy of Downstairs at Eric’s. After 24.6 miles and 5,227 feet of vertical, the stage will finish at the Peaks Trailhead located near Breckenridge Ski Resort.

The final stage — The Gold Dust Trail — will take off from Stephen C. West Ice Arena before jumping on the Aspen Alley and the Baker’s Tank Trails. Once out on Boreas Pass Road, cyclists will continue to climb uphill before turning onto the Gold Rush Trail. 

From there, athletes will begin making their way to the final finish line, receiving a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer on their return trip to Stephen C. West Ice Arena.

After six stages, champions will be crowned in each gendered age/skill division. Additionally, winners will be honored in the three-stage race (Stages 4–6), as well as in the second annual Mega Epic — a challenge that pushes riders to complete the entire course as quickly as possible.

Athletes that competed in just the first three stages will have an awards banquet on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Outside of the spirited race itself, Breck Bike Week will be taking place from Saturday, Aug. 9, through Friday, Aug. 15. Some of the most notable events will take place on Sunday, Aug. 10 in conjunction with the first stage of the race. 

From 9:30-10:30 a.m., Team Summit will be hosting its first baked goods sale of the week. All the proceeds will benefit the Team Summit Mountain Bike program and its effort to get more kids on bikes. 

Team Summit will then host its first group ride of the week for youth-level riders from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. An adult classic lunch group ride will also be taking place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The day will end with the Race Breck pond crossing competition behind Ollie’s Pub & Grub. Taking place at 2 p.m., athletes will be judged for the best wipeout/crash. To sign up for the event, visit RaceBreck.com.

Other notable events include a VNTRbirds Femme mountain bike skills clinic, a track stand water balloon gauntlet, a mountain bike film festival and a Stage 7 party at Gold Pan Saloon. 

For more information on the Breck Epic, visit BreckEpic.com. For a full schedule of events for  Breckenridge Bike Week, visit BreckBikeWeek.com.