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Plan your month, July

By Brian Metzler, Special to the Rocky

Published June 30, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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The Colorado Freeride Mountain Bike Festival

The Colorado Freeride Mountain Bike Festival

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Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb

7:30 a.m. July 19, Idaho Springs

* The buzz: Mount Evans isn't the tallest mountain in Colorado, but it has the highest summit to which you can pedal a road bike. This 27.4-mile race to the 14,135-foot parking area on top of the local landmark isn't a race for most of the 1,000 or so riders who sign up; for most it's about survival.

* What's up: There are steeper cycling races in the U.S., but none features such a sustained climb or are held at such a high elevation as the Mount Evans Hill Climb, which has a net gain of 6,580 feet. Riders of all ages and abilities take the challenge. The event was first held in 1962 but was renamed in 1981 in honor of five-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer that spring at age 23.

* Also: Golden resident Mark Osmun became the second unicyclist to finish the race in as many years, reaching the top in three hours, 35 minutes, 15 seconds.

* Info: bicyclerace.com

Crankworx Colorado Freeride Mountain Bike Festival

July 31 to Aug. 3, Winter Park Resort

* The buzz: This event takes mountain biking in Colorado to a whole new level. Dozens of North America's top riders converge on Winter Park for an adrenaline-packed festival. Meanwhile, riders of all levels can enjoy hundreds of miles of cross-country, downhill and terrain-park trails.

* What's up: Last year's big-air comp and slope-style jam were off the charts, one of the best mountain-bike festivals anywhere. Those in attendance watched a young kid pull a back flip on a mountain bike. (Yes, a back flip . . . think about that for a moment.)

* Also: This event isn't just for aspiring pros. The weekend also includes bike demos, group trail rides, clinics and live music.

* Info: crankworxcolorado.com

5 more events to consider

* July 1: Dip and Dash swim/run, Aurora Reservoir; majrae.com

* July 4: Spruce Mountain 5K, Coal Creek Canyon; racingunderground.com

* July 12: Pagosa Duathlon Pagosa Springs; http://www .acvap.org/duathlon.html, 1-970-264-9075

* July 20: LaSportiva Vail Half Marathon, Vail; vailrec.com, 1-970-479-2280

* July 27: Crested Butte Xterra Triathlon, Crested Butte; cbbanktri.com, 1-970-349-0170