2026 RIDE GUIDE
It's almost here! Copper Triangle is July 31 - August 1 and we are happy to welcome riders from 40 states as well as Canada, Australia, Mexico and Great Britain.
This Ride Guide has what you need to know, including:
directions and parking information
route map and road construction advisory
course etiquette
packet pick-up information
on-course nutrition and tech support details
packing suggestions
complete weekend schedule
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Parking Once There
To pick up your packet on Friday, please use the Beeler and Union Creek Lots. There are other options, but these will be the closest. The 10 Mile Lot is currently close for construction. If you are staying overnight at Copper Mountain Resort, you will be given a parking pass when you check-in for access to the underground parking structure.
For those only coming for the day, there will be plenty of parking in the ski area parking lots, which are a short ride from the start line at Eagles Landing Plaza. Download the map.
Registration / Packet Pick-Up
Please pick up your credentials at the Copper Conference Center
(184 Copper Cir. Frisco, CO 80443)
Friday, July 31st
4 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 1st
5:30 - 8 a.m. (Must be on the road by 8am)
2026 Event Raffle
We are coming in hot with this year’s event raffle! We have thousands of dollars of items up for grabs. There are 16 different incredible prizes (with more coming). All the items are hosted on our event raffle platform here!
The event raffle is NOW LIVE and that means you can look through all the prize giveaways now and decide which ones you want to participate in. None of the winners will be announced until Saturday afternoon after the ride, so don’t worry, you have until then to buy your digital tickets. All the tickets and purchasing will be done online, so instead of writing your name and number on every ticket, you can buy as many tickets as you want in a matter of a couple clicks and pay via credit card, Apple Pay, etc.
There will still be a dedicated TRC raffle tent that will have all the items on display for you to peruse. You will still be able to participate and buy tickets on-site. We won’t be announcing the raffle winners until Saturday afternoon and it will remain open until then. You must be on-site to claim your prize if you win!
A huge thank you to our sponsors for providing all these amazing prizes!
How to Participate:
Click on our event raffle page below (this will show you all the available raffle prizes)
Click on the item or items that you are interested in submitting tickets for.
Choose how many tickets you would like to purchase.
Finalize your payment and then you’re all set! The tickets will be placed for that item, it’s that easy.
We will announce the winners on site throughout Saturday afternoon. We will make announcements over the speaker system and also contact you via text. You must be on-site to claim your prize if you win!
When we ride together, we ride better. At EF Adventures, community is at the heart of every adventure—whether that’s ascending Mallorca’s most famous climbs, pushing each other over the line on a real Tour de France stage, or rolling from grape to plate in Tuscany’s culinary heartland. Join like-minded adventurers on over 50+ active tour destinations. Share in the best regional cuisine at hand-selected restaurants, make stops for cultural detours and world-class wine, kickback at 4- & 5-star boutique hotels, and uncover new perspectives through our expert Tour Directors and local guides. To learn more, visit our booth to speak with a Tour Consultant or visit efadventures.com.
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Primal is proud to be the official cycling apparel partner of the Ride Collective and the Copper Triangle. They are committed to supporting organizations and events that make our state and the world a better place, two wheels at a time. Visit them at their tent or online.
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Zinn Cycles is proud to be the official bike sponsor of TRC. Visit their unique shop in Louisville, CO for a full bike fitting and consultation, where they can design and build you your dream bike or even help improve the fit on an exisitng bike. They offer stock bikes for those who don’t need custom, and they have a fleet of demo bikes available with delivery to any TRC event. Zinn's mission is to fit the widest size range of cyclists in the world.
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Whether you can pedal up mountains or you’re just starting your wellness journey, get tuned up by joining the Ready. Set. CO challenge. Get the UCHealth app now and set a personalized goal in the wellness program or sign up to compete for rewards to keep you motivated.
Thanks for Supporting The Davis Phinney Foundation
A portion of event proceeds will go to the The Davis Phinney Foundation. Learn about what The Davis Phinney Foundation is doing to help those live with Parkinson’s everyday.
Please say hi to Team DPF at the Friday packet pick-up and Saturday’s bike expo. This event benefits the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s. This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new connections. The event is free and open to everyone; you can learn more about Team DPF and how to get involved with the Davis Phinney Foundation.
Route Details / GPX File
Be ready for a spectacular 79-mile loop that crests three Colorado mountain passes – Fremont Pass (11,318’), Tennessee Pass (10,424’) and Vail Pass (10,666’) - for a total elevation gain of 6,500'.
Get the GPX file at RideWithGPS.
You can also download it from Strava.
Download the course map from our website.
Please note the route maps are not always 100% accurate. Follow the course marking signs as the first line of navigation.
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SAGs will be on course to help cyclists. However, please be prepared to handle your own flats.
If you are unable to climb Vail Pass, please stop at the parking lot at the East Vail Exit for a lift back to the top.
Private SAG vehicles are not allowed
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Aid #1 - Top of Fremont Pass (11.2 miles)
Aid #2 - Ski Cooper (31.5 miles)
Aid #3 - Minturn (51.3 miles)
Aid #4 - Base of Vail Pass (65.2 miles)
Aid #5 - Top of Vail Pass (73 miles)
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Bring a number of layers for all weather including rain, then decide in the morning what to wear and carry. Cool mornings usually become warm afternoons with a chance of showers.
Weather forecast for August 1st
Forecasts change. Check back to get an updated weather forecast leading up to the event.
**Weather forcast provided by Epic Ride Weather
Tailwind Nutrition: Fueling Your Ride, Every Mile
We’re proud to partner with Tailwind Nutrition as our Official Hydration Sponsor, bringing you the same trusted fuel that endurance athletes rely on. Made by athletes for athletes, Tailwind’s all-in-one nutrition and hydration will be on course to keep you energized, hydrated, and cramp-free—so you can focus on the ride, not your fueling.
Open roads - ride safe!
Copper Triangle is held on open roads with vehicular traffic and marked and unmarked hazards. Though we go to great lengths to make the event as safe as possible, you are only as safe as you ride. Please ride carefully when descending Fremont Pass, Tennessee Pass, Battle Mountain and Vail Pass. There are steep descents, tight curves and the road conditions vary from good to poor. Use caution and control your speed.
Click here to watch out safety video and read up on other safety tips.
Please also be mindful of the environment and wildlife. If you encounter any wildlife on course, please keep your distance. For more information on
wildlife encounters click here.
Credentials
Your rider credentials include a wrist band, bike plate, and drink ticket. Affix your bike plate to your handlebars with the zip ties. Use your wrist band to gain access to the aid stations and the post ride lunch. Please note, the wrist band is your meal ticket so don’t lose it.
Important Reminders
1. On your rider bib, you do have a free beer. Find our beer station to redeem after your ride.
Road Work on Course
🚧 Road Work on Course
CDOT is actively working on Red Cliff Bridge. They will not be working on it on event day, but it will be down to one lane. There will be flaggers and State Patrol to help with traffic flow. It will be alternating traffic getting through the section, so you may have to wait for a few minutes as opposing traffic comes through. Follow the directions of the flaggers and they will get you through safely!
🚨 Important SAG Notice:
Access for support vehicles (SAGs) will be limited through the Vail Pass bike path. If you need a SAG, we will have a shuttle available from the East Vail exit off i-70 (just before Aid Station 4) to assist riders. We will not be picking up riders at aid station 4.
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Andrew has been practicing law for 17 years and has a passion for cycling. His legal practice is focused on representing cyclists who have been injured by others while riding their bikes.
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We're proud to help keep riders comfortable from the first pedal stroke to the finish. Chamois Butt'r helps prevent chafing, soothes irritated skin, and reduces friction where it matters most. Trusted by cyclists for over 30 years, it's the best way to help protect your skin and enjoy every mile in the saddle.
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Independent since 1989. Proudly Colorado. Brewed for the moments you make your own.
Bag Drop
If you paid for our bag drop service when registering, you will receive a drop bag with your credentials at check-in. Simply jot down your name and bib number on the bag, carry it with you to Aid Station 2 (Ski Cooper), and then free yourself of any garments you no longer wish to wear or carry. Leave your bag at the designated drop area and we will move your belongings forward to the finish. Easy as a downhill ride!
Fun Stuff All Weekend
A post-ride lunch is included with your registration. Enjoy music and the cool alpine air while eating, perusing the bike expo and partaking in tasty libations.
Treat Yourself To Some Body Work
We will have a revamped Recovery Lounge this year. There will be a dedicated area in the bike expo for recovery. There will be an 8 person wood-fire sauna, 2 large cold plunge tubs, Normatec leg compressions, massage guns, and more! It will be open Friday and Saturday - use it to recover both before and after the ride!
It will be $10 for 1 hour use and $20 for unlimited weekend use.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Copper Triangle will start and finish at the Burning Stones Plaza at Copper Mountain Resort.
Friday, July 31
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Shakeout Ride led by Zinn Cycles - leaves from Start / Finish Line (route here).
4:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. – Packet Pick-Up
4:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. – Recovery Lounge, Exhibitor Festival, Event Raffle Registration
5:00 p.m - 6:30 p.m. – Brews and Tunes (Live music at West Lake)
Saturday, August 1
5:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. – Registration / Packet Pick-Up
6:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. – Ride Start
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Alpine Celebration; to include post-ride lunch, beer garden, and exhibitor festival
12:00 p.m.. – 4:00 p.m
Music by Frisco Funk Collective12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Raffle Drawings throughout afternoon2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Meet and greet with Lachlan Morton at the EF Adventures tent!
2:30 p.m. - 3:30pm - Bike Maintenance Clinic - Lead by Zinn Cycles (meet by American Flyer lift)
4:00 p.m – Course Closes
Pungao is proud to be the official gel sponsor of The Copper Triangle. Pungao is committed to fueling the most ambitious athletes in the world with 100% natural performance fuel. Come meet their founders at their tent the day before the race!
Lodging Check-In
If you booked overnight accommodations at the resort, you may check in anytime after 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31st. Check-in is at the Athletic Club / Spa at 509 Copper Rd. Frisco.
Too Big? Too Snug?
Every rider receives a jersey or a Tech Tee with their registration. If it doesn't fit, swap it out at registration or at our merchandise booth (size changes subject to availability). Before the ride, you may also purchase arm-warmers, vests, hoodies, jackets and more.
Smile! You're On Camera
Get your personal event photos with FinisherPix! FinisherPix is the official photographer at Copper Triangle. Your personal photos will be available online after the event. Make sure your bike plate is facing front at all times and don't forget to smile when you cross the finish line!
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We're proud to be a product partner of The Ride Collective, supporting their events with our high-quality Squirt Cycling bike care products. Less time maintaining bikes means more time to ride.
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Built for Wherever Two Wheels Take You
Send It is a Colorado-born brand creating purpose-built gear for riders and outdoor enthusiasts who believe the best adventures require dependable gear. -
Proudly Made in the USA. Enter here for a chance to win a Quik Rack Mach2
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