Intro To Bikepacking Aspen Ridge

Start/ End Location

Salida, Colorado at the Cottonwood Trailhead

What to expect

• A welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and judgement-free space to try something new and build community on the trail.

• We are NO DROP kind of gals! We will be regrouping often at meeting points/junctions. You will always be riding with a trip leader to support you and cheer you on. We will be camping together, eating together and being badass together!

• A gravel bike or mountain bike is recommended.

• Route is mostly smooth gravel and a small amount of chunkier 4x4 doubletrack

• Riding mileage (Approximated)

  • Day 1 - 6 miles and 1300ft of climbing

  • Day 2 - 20 miles and 1500 ft of climbing

  • Day 3 - 10 miles and 1000 ft of climbing

• There will be sections where we are pushing our bikes. But we will ALL be doing it together!

• We recommend that riders on this trip feel comfortable with gravel terrain, sustained climbs, and riding at a conversational pace for large portions of the day.

Who is this trip for?

• All gals (cis or transgender) and non-binary individuals who identify with the women’s community.

• Riders of all backgrounds and all experience levels.

What is the plan?

• Friday - Everyone will meet in the morning at the trailhead for introductions and a packing party where we help you with the puzzle that is packing your bike for the weekend. We will hit the trail mid-day, stopping along the way for lunch and plenty of breaks. We will roll into camp, set up tents, get cozy, and eat a yummy backcountry group dinner. Enjoy conversation with new friends before sleeping under the stars.

• Saturday - Take a leisurely morning at camp, eat some breakfast, pack up, and set off for the day’s ride. Enjoy hard-earned mountain views from the top of Aspen Ridge as we continue a friendly pace. Stops for water, snacks, lunch, picture taking, and dance parties along the way. On Saturday night we will enjoy a special dinner at camp: set up and prepared by your Galpackas Trip Leaders for you to really experience that trail magic.

• Sunday - Breakfast then pack up camp. Hit the trail to finish our route and savor the last day of riding. Back to the trailhead and your car mid-afternoon to celebrate our accomplishment!

*Please note: our routes are subject to change depending on trail conditions, permitting changes, etc. We will keep you updated if anything changes.

What’s included

• Recommended packing lists, maps, GPX file of route

• Packing party the morning of the trip to help you get everything packed on your bike

• 2-3 wonderful Trip Leaders to support you and cheer you on - all with first aid training and bikepacking experience

• Additional Galpackas leader on call with vehicle for support

• GPS beacon with Trip Leaders for emergencies

• Water filtering system

• Trailside mechanical troubleshooting and education

• All meals on the trail: two breakfasts, two dinners, and two lunches included. Able to accommodate dietary needs as necessary

• Dinner on Saturday night will be a special night under the stars

• A thank you bag from our sponsors

• Bikepacking bags are available to rent from Galpackas for the weekend. When you sign up for the trip you can add on a reservation from our gear library.

What gear do I need to bring?

• Bike/helmet/biking shoes and clothes

• Snacks for riding (meals are provided)

• Capacity to carry up to 3L of water

• Camping gear: Tent/sleeping bag*

*We send out an email with a packing list and group gear once the trip is finalized to run. If you do not have specific gear NO WORRIES, you can make a note when you sign up and we will help you figure it out!

Cancellation Policy

Partial refunds (50%) are available up to 60 days before the event. Within 60 days, no refund or credit is possible. You may transfer your registration to someone else. If we have a waiting list available we will open up your ticket to the waiting list and give you a refund if it is taken.

Additional questions? Check out our FAQ page or email us at info@galpackas.com