Tour de Gap 2017 Routes are ready to roll!
Saturday July 22:
New for 2017 you can choose the new Metric Century 100K plus the traditional 27 mile and 11 mile routes.
TOUR DE GAP 100K (62.5 MILE) ROUTE
Sunday July 23:
STEAMBOAT MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE TIME TRIAL 7.2 MILES
* All routes will close at 1:30 pm. *
Registration for the 35th edition of the Tour de Gap is now open. Head over to BikeReg to register for one of the three routes. In response to a lot of requests, we’re stretching out the longer route to a 100K (62 Mile) route. The traditional 11 mile and 27 mile routes will be just the same beautiful rides that they have been.
And on Sunday, as a special challenge for the 35th Anniversary, check out the Steamboat Mountain Time Trial. it’s a challenging 7.2 mile hill climb up Belle Plains road, and winds up on the top of the steepest climb, Steamboat Mountain.
Once again, we are benefiting a fantastic organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Texas. Come on out to the Gap on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23 and enjoy a great ride for a great cause!
We appreciate so much our sponsors, who make all this possible. Click here to see the latest list!
Would your business or organization like to help make an unforgettable Tour de Gap, have fun and support Big Brothers-Big Sisters of West Central Texas? Becoming a sponsor is the way to do it! We have several levels and activities:
Sponsorships will be finalized during June. For more information email tourdegap@gmail.com. Logos for t-shirts must be received by Friday, June 30. A jpeg file can be emailed to tourdegap@gmail.com
To further celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Tour de Gap, we’re adding an optional Sunday morning event to the mix. It’s a 7.2 mile hill climb, starting from the same starting line as Saturday’s ride at the Old Settlers Reunion grounds. First you’ll head out of Buffalo Gap to Belle Plain Road. Turning right, you’ll encounter the first short but tough climb up Belle Plain. After a bit, you’ll take another right onto CR 127 and then CR 650 where you’ll have short periods of 13 to 20% grades. Here’s the route. It’s an accomplishment to finish!
The ride will be staged as an individual time trial, with riders starting at one minute intervals. You’re welcome to bring supporters to line the route to cheer you on. For spectators, we recommend driving to the top and leaving the car there. It is not a closed course, but your fans can hike down the road to a good viewing spot. There’s a discounted entry fee if you are riding on Saturday, see BikeReg’s registration page for more information, or post a question below.
We’re gearing up for the 35th Annual Tour de Gap! This summer, we’re planning some pretty awesome things to help celebrate its 35th riding:
Saturday, July 22, 2017: The same selection of routes you’ve come to love, plus we’re stretching out the 52 miler to become a Metric Century! (62 mi.)
Sunday, July 23, 2017: A brand-new morning event revolving around a 7.2 mile hill climb, the hardest one in the hills of the Callahan Divide!
Be part of the Tour’s 35th year! Registration, packet, and timing chip pickup will be from 6:30-7:45 am. Please allow enough time to be through the line by 7:45. Everyone will need to pick up their ride number, timing chip, and event shirt. Preregistered riders will have separate lines from those registering the day of, and will simply need to check in and pick up their items.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
6:30 – 7:45 am: Registration/Packet Pickup
7:50: Line up at the start area/Pre-ride announcements
8:00: 100k start / 27 mile start / 11 mile start
9:45*: 11 mile swag raffle**
10:45*: 27 mile swag raffle**
11:45: 100k mile prizes*
12:15*: 100k swag raffle**
Ticket Raffle
1:30: Race course closes
* Swag raffle and prize times might be a little after the scheduled time. They will start when most of the riders from each route have finished.
** Must be present to claim swag raffle/prize
Sunday, July 23, 2017 – Steamboat Mountain Time Trial
7:30 – 8:50 am: Gather for instructions. Spectators/Family & Friends position on the course. Riders’ start time will be determined by their finish position from Saturday’s ride.
9:00: First rider in the Individual Time Trial
Riders start thereafter at one minute intervals. Last rider time determined by number of entrants.
Approximately 10:45 am: Final rider finishes
(showers available at Abilene State Park)
Pretty amazing info that Bikereg gives you. We wondered where Tour de Gap riders came from, since we’re getting ready for the 35th annual. So we put it all in a blender by hometown zip code, and found out that while there are a bunch from the Key City of Abilene, we see riders from the Permian Basin, lots from San Angelo, and cities all over Texas and elsewhere. Call a friend or two and suggest you all head to the shady oak trees of the Old Settlers’ Ground at Buffalo Gap for 2017’s Tour, July 22!
Just a reminder that helmets are required for everyone riding in the Tour de Gap, even children in trailers.
