By Shannon Lukens.
The Tour de Steamboat has announced it will not be back in 2025, after 20 years. An announcement on the TourdeSteamboat.com website says the operating team is retiring so there won’t be a ride this year. But the Tour de Steamboat could possibly come back if someone takes over. Over the years, the Tour de Steamboat raised over $1.7 million that was donated back into the community.
Katie Lindquist tells Steamboat Radio News, “My husband, Kent Eriksen, founder of Moots Cycles and Kent Eriksen Cycles started the event in 1975 and produced it for several years. It went on hiatus and our current team resurrected it in 2005. At the time he owned and operated the original Sore Saddle Cyclery on 12th and Yampa, (the cone-shaped building). This was also the birthplace of Moots.”
The Tour de Steamboat was held in July of this year with different route distances for cyclists and families, with some rides on gravel through different parts of Routt County including Oak Creek and Yampa.
Statement from Tour de Steamboat
Framed picture of the first event from 1975
Flyer from 2024
Announcement on the TourdeSteamboat.com website
What an amazing ride! To everyone who pedaled, supported, and contributed to this event – we cannot thank you enough! Together, we’ve achieved something extraordinary, bringing us closer and reaching our goal annually to support needs across our community.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of all!
To our sponsors and donors: Since bringing this event back in 2005, it has been your commitment and support that powered this event and helped us generate crucial funding for the community charities. Thank you for riding with us on this journey to make a difference in the lives of so many.
To our volunteers: Your hard work and tireless enthusiasm made event day run smoothly from start to finish for over 20 years. You helped make each moment memorable and safe for everyone involved. We are endlessly grateful to you.
To our community members, residents, merchants, public works, and the City of Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek, and Yampa: We simply could not have done this without your support and what started as a “special event” became a legendary ride across the state and country.
To our beneficiaries: You worked tirelessly to help us help you! You are the true spokes in our wheels that keep us riding. We encourage everyone to continue to support the great work you do.
And finally, to our amazing riders: Every mile you rode and every smile you shared made this an unforgettable event. Thank you for your time, energy, and dedication to our mission. We hope your participation has left you feeling inspired and proud of your impact.
Together, we rode countless miles and raised over $1.7 Million donated directly back into our community. Thank you once again for your generosity and spirit. Let’s keep this energy going until the Tour de Steamboat can ride again!
Our operating team of 20 years is retiring. Despite best efforts, our succession plan is not complete and in fact, needs a leader. To ensure we have a solid, committed team in place and the right tools to succeed, we have made the difficult decision to skip the 2025 event. A lot of work and preparation is necessary months in advance, and without this team being fully operational, we feel it’s simply not possible to produce the quality experience the Tour de Steamboat ride deserves.
Stay tuned for updates as we forge ahead. Please contact us if you are interested in being a part of the transition team and the future of Tour de Steamboat. Please consider giving to us on Colorado Gives Day, December 10th, for one last gift to our beneficiaries for 2024!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ride Directors Katie and Abi and the Tour de Steamboat Board of Directors