Most of us end up sidelined from the bike at some point. For me, it was a separated shoulder from a misjudged jump. Healing up meant easing back into road riding since mountain biking was a bit much for my injury. And it’s the only reason I found myself at the start line of the Tour of the Moon in Grand Junction in the first place.
The Ride at a Glance
(A quick heads-up: these figures are from the year I rode it, so definitely double-check the current event page before you book!)
- Two routes: The 41-miler (66 km) loops Colorado National Monument. The 62-miler (100 km) tackles the Monument and throws in the town of Fruita.
- Climbing: Right around 3,900 feet (1,188 m).
- Start window: A casual rolling start between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
- Timing: Held every September. It usually sells out around 2,000 riders, so don’t sleep on registration.
Why This Route Hits Different
The main loop climbs straight through Colorado National Monument which is a stunning expanse of red rock canyon country. If it looks familiar, you might recognize it as the backdrop for American Flyers or from its days in the Coors International Bicycle Classic (1980–88). But make no mistake: this is a recreation ride. Nobody is timing you, and the views are whole point.
Which Tour of the Moon Loop Should You Pick?
The 41-mile route gives you the iconic Monument, the main climb, and the glorious descent. The 62-mile option just adds Fruita and extra flat-to-rolling distance. If you’re coming from sea level or haven’t logged many road miles lately, the shorter loop already packs in everything that makes this ride special.
Let’s Talk About Altitude
Grand Junction sits around 4,500 feet, and the route tops out at 6,640 feet (verified by the sign at the summit). It’s not extreme high-country, but if you’re coming from sea level, you’re going to feel it near the top as a heavy, sluggish drag in your legs. I certainly did. If you can, arrive a day or two early to acclimate, and take that first hour of riding significantly easier than your legs want to go.
Before You Line Up
- Drive the course first. I drove it in the pouring rain, and it was still completely worth it. Seeing the climbs in advance helps settle your pacing strategy but the downside is it might rattle your confidence a bit if your training has been thin (guilty as charged).
- Walk the Canyon Rim Trail. It’s an easy 1-mile hike from the visitor centre to a lookout over the Praying Hands rock formation. From a distance, they look suspiciously like a pair of sitting cats, but up close, the hands take shape. Plus, it’s a great, low-stress way to get your lungs opening up to the air.
On the Day
Mornings here start near freezing and warm up to a crisp, sunny 70°F (20°C), so pack layers for that frosty first hour. I rolled out around 8:00 AM, which left plenty of time to stop for photos. The opening climb up to the Monument actually looks way more intimidating from a car window than it feels under your pedals. It was a steady, manageable 3% grade. As you get higher, the effort definitely builds, making that summit sign a huge relief (mostly because almost everything after it is downhill).
Don’t worry about showing up solo, either. The field is mostly Front Range locals, and single riders get absorbed into friendly packs within the first few miles. By the time we hit the first hill, my group had already dubbed me “The Canadian”.
The Descent
This is what you came for. The road remains open to light car traffic, so you might run into a pace vehicle. On my run down, a police car held our group back for a bit before pulling over. Once he did, it was game on and we raced each other the rest of the way down the canyon.
A Quick Note on Fitness
I spent most of the two months leading up to this ride riding bike-park chairlifts, barely touching my road bike. Somehow, that off-season trail fitness carried me through just fine. That’s reassuring if your road prep hasn’t been perfect but I probably wouldn’t recommend that training plan on purpose!
