Climbing on a road bike is one of our favourite things; we could watch it all day. Do it on a gravel road and even better. Former US road Pros Timmy Duggan and Craig Lewis put together a killer loop in Boulder Colorado and put the hurt on host Cotty for the latest Col Collective.

Starting downtown from Vecchio’s (which is quite possibly the coolest bike shop there is) a 60 mile loop lay ahead, taking in Super Flagstaff Road, Gross Dam, Gap Road and not to mention a few “Timmy Treats” along the way. Although there wasn’t one climb to really focus on don’t think that means it’s any easier, oh no. It seemed like the road spent a disproportionate amount of time pointing towards the sky and spending the day at an altitude that rivals the highest peaks in Europe was always going to be a ride to remember. Oh……not to mention the gravel. Long live the dirt road!

Start: Vecchio’s, Boulder
Length: 61 miles (98km)
Highest point: 9,161ft (2,792m)
Elevation gain: 8,005ft (2,440m)
Ridden in September