New for 2009! What could be more indicative of Crested Butte than mountain biking? The sport that started here takes a new twist as it is added to the roster of events for the Festival. Riders will head out on a variety of the amazing mountain biking trails found in Crested Butte. Each rider can choose between beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced trails. All rides will be guided by professional local guides and will include an invited winemaker.
After the rides, the two groups will converge in an outdoor location where guests will be treated to a gourmet picnic as prepared by talented chefs. The winemaker will provide the wine pairings and provide information about the wine and the winery, making for an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The rides are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m. Each morning is limited to 24 riders total. Each rider will receive a custom-designed Crested Butte Land Trust Wine & Food Festival cycling jersey!
The schedule is as follows:
- Friday’s Winemaker Trail with Chef Troy Guard (TAG, Denver) and winemaker Dave Phillips (Michael-David Winery, CA)
- Saturday’s Winemaker Trail with Chef Tim Egelhoff (Timberline, Crested Butte) and winemaker Dave Phillips (Michael-David Winery, CA)
- Sunday’s Winemaker Trail with Chef Ben Breslauer (The Club, Crested Butte) and winemaker Joe Lange(Lange Twins Winery, CA)
The rides are sponsored in part by The Alpineer, local provider of fine outdoor equipment. The Alpineer offers bike rentals on an hourly, daily or overnight basis. All Winemaker Trail riders will receive 10 percent off their bike rental at The Alpineer. View its bike rental rates and policies.
Price per person is $175.
Purchase Tickets
Sunday, July 26, 9 a.m. – beginner/intermediate trail $175 
Sunday, July 26, 9 a.m. – intermediate/advanced trail $175
Let’s not and say I did! $175
Want to sleep in/shop/hike/get a massage instead of biking? We’ll never tell! You still get the custom jersey, you simply join the group for the gourmet picnic and fabulous wine!
View a map of the trails
The specific mountain biking trails for the beginner/intermediate rides will be determined the morning of the ride. We will talk to the group about certain skills and fitness needed to handle each ride. Based on that information, our guides will create a ride that will satisfy the needs of the group. Entry level groups will receive some skill work and then will likely enjoy a few lift serviced laps that will involve a cross country type trail with less climbing. Intermediate/advanced riders will do some climbing before they get their kicks downhill.
Reservations are also being accepted at the Crested Butte Land Trust office at 308 Third Avenue in Crested Butte or the office of Colorado Mountain Events, 1430 Larimer Square #200 in Denver.