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Breck hosts free moonlight bike ride up Boreas Pass for Demo Days on June 27

Leo Wolfson
Special to the Daily
silhouette of bicyclist is at night on the road
Getty Images/iStockphoto | iStockphoto

Boreas Pass night ride

What: A moonlight group bike ride up Boreas Pass, a 6.5-mile pedal on dirt road followed by a campfire with s’mores at Baker’s Tank

When: Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m.

Where: North Gondola Lot start in Breckenridge

Cost: Free

What to bring: A bike light if you have it. Otherwise lights will be provided. Bring personal water and snacks if necessary. If you’re into mountain biking, bring a cross-country to enjoy the single-track Aspen Alley route back into town. Helmet lights are recommended for that adventure.

Who should come: Any intermediate-advanced rider who is capable of biking 12-15 miles. Children should be accompanied by adults.

For more information on the event and Breck Demo Days, see http://www.gobreck.com

There’s nothing like a bike ride on a midsummer night.

With cool breezes caressing your skin and moonlight shimmering off your handlebars, a nighttime bike ride can be a truly magical experience. Breck Demo Days helps locals and visitors enjoy this experience with a new group night ride on June 27.

The ride starts from the North Gondola parking lot at 8 p.m. From there, night-owl cyclists will ascend 6.5 miles up Boreas Pass to Baker’s Tank. The ride comes to a finish there, with a campfire and s’mores for all participants.



“We’re fortunate enough to live in an amazing place with beautiful summer weather, so we figured why not take advantage of this and show people how nice a nighttime bike ride can be,” Rachel Zerowin with the Breckenridge Tourism Office said.

And just when you thought the night couldn’t get any better at the cozy campfire, there’s still a relaxing downhill ride back to town. If you’re looking for a little more thrill on the downhill excursion, check out the singletrack, cross-country trail options, like Aspen Alley.



“We wanted to overhaul this year’s Demo Days with a facelift, and the night ride really helps us add some pizazz,” Zerowin said. “Nighttime bike riding is an exciting experience because you become much more aware of your surroundings.”

“Riding at night is killer,” bike enthusiast Kyle Wiberg said. “It’s a whole different experience than daytime riding. You have to have keen senses and use your lights.”

Free lights will be supplied, but event organizers advise bringing a headlamp or extra light if you have one. If you plan on tackling the downhill course, a headlamp is helpful because it’s sometimes difficult to see around tight corners with only a handlebar light.

The route up the pass is only moderately steep, with no major climbs, but the night ride is still only recommended for intermediate-advanced bikers who are comfortable riding 12-15 miles at a time. There will be several police escorts and bike guides leading the ride.

Breck Demo Days

The Boreas Pass night ride is one of many bike-themed activities during Brecks Demo Days. It all kicked off with Bike to Work Day on June 24, followed by women’s clinics on June 25, a bike-in movie on June 26 and the in-town bike expo.

The weekend features free bike demos in the gondola parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to try out some of the latest technology in the game, with bikes from top cycling manufacturers like Trek, Shimano, Raleigh and Scott available to demo.

Anyone who demos a bike during the weekend will receive a discount coupon good for a new bike at Bicycle Village. There will also be children’s bike giveaways from the “Wish For Wheels” program on June 27.

“Were taking a laid-back approach to this year’s Demo Days,” Zerowin said. “For us it’s all about accessibility and giving everyone a chance to enjoy the sport.”


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