By Shannon Lukens. Courtesy photos.
This is a big weekend in Hayden with the annual Ride the Cog Festival. It’s on Sunday and it’s touted as Routt County’s original gravel ride.
The ride remembers Ferry Carpenter who was known to ride his bike to his office in Hayden in the early 1900s. The cog is the same “Gravel Grinder” route that Ferry used in 1913. It has a steep vertical and goes up for about three miles, with views of Elkhead Reservoir and Bears Ears Mountain.
The fun starts at 8 a.m. in Hayden Town Park at 229 S. 3rd Street. Different route distances are available and mountain bike clinics for all levels. There is also a kid zone and Kids Bike Parade. You can still sign up and volunteers are still needed. Learn more at RideTheCog.com
Schedule of Events — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
- 7:30 a.m. Registration and Check-In at Hayden Town Park (3rd St.)
- 8 a.m. Gravel Grinder/ Combined Ride begins
- 9 a.m. Breezer Ride begins
- 9:30 a.m. Beginner Bike Clinic
- 10:30 a.m. Kids Zone Open
- 10:45 a.m. Intermediate Bike Clinic
- Noon Advanced Bike Clinic
- Noon Food Trucks/Vendors open
- 1-3 p.m. DJ Music and Beer Garden
ALL EVENTS MEET AT TOWN PARK 229 S 3rd St., Hayden CO
- Register for Ride The Cog
- Volunteer for Ride the Cog
- RideTheCog.com