Ride the Rockies returns June 11-17, 2022!
Ventures Endurance Acquires Ride the Rockies Bicycle Tour
Cycling Tour will Enhance Portfolio of Endurance Events and Experiences
Boston, MA – November 8, 2021 – – Ventures Endurance Events, a subsidiary of Gannett’s USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, has acquired the Ride the Rockies Bicycle Tour from The Denver Post Community Foundation. This acquisition adds another premier event to Ventures Endurance Events’ growing portfolio of cycling events. Ventures Endurance will be responsible for operations of the tour which has historically been held in June across the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Ventures Endurance Events supports Gannett’s mission to empower local communities by hosting endurance events, races, and activities to unite people in a shared experience. The Ventures Endurance Events portfolio of events attracts more than 500,000 annual participants and organizes Iowa’s popular and long-standing Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) event, the largest multi- day bicycle ride in the world, in addition to the Great Iowa Fall Ride and Tour of Battenkill in New York.
“Ride the Rockies has a strong tradition as one of the country’s premier cycling events,” said Brad Scudder, Senior Vice President of Development, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures. “We look forward to building on the legacy of this great event while continuing to support its host communities.”
Ride the Rockies Bicycle Tour, founded in 1986 by The Denver Post, annually hosts more than 2,000 bicyclists representing nearly 50 states and many countries who ride 60 to 80 miles daily for six days, driving tourism in Colorado towns and communities.
“We have had the honor of producing this great event for over 35 years and are now looking forward to its new chapter under the accomplished leadership and expertise of the Venture Endurance Events team,” said Tracy Ulmer, President and CEO, The Denver Post Community Foundation.
The 2022 event will be directed by Dieter Drake, a Colorado resident and Ventures Endurance Events’ Ride Director for RAGBRAI. Drake also oversees many other cycling events for the brand. Hosting 17,000 riders this past July, RAGBRAI emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic and economic turndown to sustain this nearly 50-year-old Iowa tradition.
“Like RAGBRAI in Iowa, Ride The Rockies is a Colorado tradition, and we’re extremely fortunate to be able to shepherd it into this new era under Ventures Endurance Events,” said Kaitlyn Greenleaf, Vice President, Ventures Endurance Events. “With so many similarities to RAGBRAI, I expect that our experience and resources combined with Ride the Rockies’ existing infrastructure will make for a successful ride in 2022.”
ABOUT USA TODAY NETWORK VENTURES
USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, part of Gannett Co, Inc., creates impactful consumer engagements and experiences through world-class events, promotions, races, and technology. We strive to exceed expectations, create unforgettable memories and drive value for our partners while leveraging our reputable institutions, including USA TODAY and more than 250 local media brands. Our portfolio includes the largest high school sports recognition program in the country, USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, and other celebrated brands including the Official Community’s Choice Awards, American Influencer Awards, Rugged Maniac, Hot Chocolate 15k/5k, Blockbuster Bucket List sweepstakes, Amazing Teachers contest and more. Our events are managed with our proprietary ticketing and registration platform, EnMotive. The events and promotions that we build inspire pride in local communities and connect local and national businesses with highly engaged audiences. We are an industry leader and drive results from coast to coast.
# # #
Media Contact:
Stephanie Tackach
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
stackach@gannett.com
(212) 715-5490
