By; Gary Robinson / AvidCyclist.com
As the heat of summer begins to wane and the first hues of fall paint the Western Slope, cyclists from across the country will gather in Palisade, Colorado, for a ride unlike any other. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, The Ride Collective will host the 32nd annual Tour de Vineyards — a vibrant blend of scenic cycling, local flavors, and community spirit set against the backdrop of Colorado’s celebrated wine country.
As the final event in The Ride Collective’s four-part 2026 series — following the iconic Copper Triangle, the scenic Enchanted Circle, and the historic Tour of the Moon — the Tour de Vineyards serves as the perfect season capper. It is a celebration of Colorado’s Wine Country, offering a unique experience that prioritizes enjoyment over racing.
“It is a good way to kinda cap off the season,” said Connor Ratte, Owner and Ride Director of The Ride Collective, in a recent interview with Avid Cyclist. “Tour de Vineyards is definitely more of the event that the leisure crowd comes out for. They don’t care about racing; they’re there for the experience, which is really cool.”
A Brief History: 32 Years in Wine Country
The Tour de Vineyards has deep roots in the Grand Valley. Now in its 32nd year, the event has long served as an annual celebration of the Palisade region’s agricultural identity — an area renowned for its peaches, orchards, and award-winning wineries. The ride has evolved over the decades from a local cycling tradition into one of Colorado’s most distinctive cycling events, drawing riders from across the country who come as much for the scenery and culture as for the miles.
The event’s longevity is a testament to the unique character of the route itself. Unlike most cycling events, which are defined by a dramatic climb or a sweeping descent, the Tour de Vineyards is defined by what surrounds the road: row after row of grapevines, fruit-laden orchards, and the warm, unhurried atmosphere of a Colorado harvest town. As Ratte noted, “You’re literally just going through the vineyards; on either side of you, it’s just rows of vineyards and wineries and different orchards.”
The event is now produced under the banner of The Ride Collective, a portfolio of professionally produced cycling events in Colorado and New Mexico. The organization traces its lineage through Rol Massif and Outside Events before returning to its current form under the same community of dedicated event directors. Connor Ratte took ownership in November 2025, bringing a long-term vision for the portfolio. “For me, this is a rest-of-my-career kind of thing,” Ratte said. “I’ll have these events for the next 20, 30-plus years.”
The Ride: Vineyards, Orchards, and Open Roads
The event starts and finishes in the heart of downtown Palisade — a charming community recently named the No. 1 Best Small Town in the West by USA Today readers. The downtown square is closed off for the event, giving riders a festive, community-centered start and finish.
Participants can choose between two distinct routes along the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway:
| Route | Distance | Elevation Gain | Highlights |
| Classic Loop | 23 miles | 880 ft | Vineyards, orchards, fruit stands, and wineries directly on route |
| Extended Challenge | 58 miles | 2,300+ ft | All of the 23-mile loop plus a climb up and over Reeder Mesa |
Both routes are designed so that the driveways to wineries and fruit stands are literally on the course — no detours required. “People do that and make time of it,” Ratte explained. “If you wanna stop and get a fruit pie and have a local peach pie, you can do that. There are little mini adventures for everyone built in.”
Three aid stations are positioned along the course, well-stocked with hydration, fresh fruit, snacks, bike tech support, and first-aid supplies. The ride takes place on open roads with route signage, law enforcement, medical personnel, road marshals, and SAG wagons throughout.
For a deeper look at the course and what to expect, see our previous feature on the Tour de Vineyards on AvidCyclist.com.
The VIP Experience: Sip, Savor, Celebrate
For those looking to elevate their weekend, The Ride Collective’s VIP Experience takes place on Friday evening, September 18, at Restoration Vineyards from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This exclusive pre-ride event is designed around the full sensory experience of Colorado wine country:
- A sunset welcome reception on the scenic patio with panoramic views of the Grand Mesa, East Orchard Mesa, and the Book Cliffs
- Wine tastings and a winemaker meet-and-greet with a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery
- A catered dinner by Bonfire Oyster Co. featuring locally sourced produce
- Live music throughout the evening
- Private packet pick-up to skip the lines on race morning
- Exclusive swag including a custom jersey, commemorative t-shirt, and TdV wine glass charm
Space is limited for the VIP Experience, and the registration deadline is August 31. The minimum age to attend is 21.
“A lot of the people that do this VIP experience are wine aficionados to some degree,” Ratte noted, “so it is kinda cool for them to get that experience as well.”
The Colorado Mountain Winefest: The Perfect Pairing
One of the most compelling reasons to make the Tour de Vineyards a full weekend destination is its timing alongside the 35th Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest, held the same day — Saturday, September 19 — at Riverbend Park, just a few blocks from the ride’s finish line in downtown Palisade.
The Winefest is Colorado’s signature annual wine celebration, bringing together winemakers, grape growers, culinary partners, and wine lovers from across the state and beyond. In its 35th year, the festival has been reimagined into a more elevated and immersive experience, with a refined layout, reduced capacity, and two distinct ticketed sessions designed to encourage deeper connection with the wines and the people who make them. Proceeds support the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), the only statewide nonprofit dedicated exclusively to supporting Colorado wineries and grape growers. A separate ticket is required for the Winefest.
The natural flow of the weekend writes itself: arrive Friday, enjoy the VIP reception at Restoration Vineyards, ride the Tour de Vineyards Saturday morning, linger over the post-ride brunch and bike expo in downtown Palisade, and then spend the afternoon at the Winefest. “People like to make it a big weekend,” Ratte said. “You can go to the VIP event on Friday night at one of the local vineyards, do the event, ride through the vineyards physically, and then Saturday afternoon is when the whole wine fest goes on.”
Riding for a Purpose: The White Line Foundation
A portion of every Tour de Vineyards registration fee supports The White Line, an organization founded in 2023 following the tragic death of Magnus White, a 17-year-old rising star in cyclocross and road racing who was killed by a reckless driver. The White Line works nationwide to end road deaths and create safer streets for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers through advocacy, technology, and data-driven initiatives. In 2026, Colorado Governor Polis signed Magnus’s Law (SB26-132), establishing a new statewide crash investigation protocol — a landmark victory for the organization’s mission.
Avid Cyclist Members Save 10% — Plus a Chance to Win Free Entries
As the Official Media Partner of The Ride Collective for the 2026 season, Avid Cyclist is proud to offer our community exclusive savings. Avid Cyclist members receive a 10% discount on registration for all four Ride Collective events, including the Tour de Vineyards. With an Avid Cyclist membership priced at just $9.95 per year, the savings from a single ride registration more than covers the cost of joining — and the benefits extend to discounts on other events, rides, and products throughout the year.
“We very rarely offer discounts to our events because we try to keep them as affordable as possible,” Ratte said. “But we really enjoy working with organizations like Avid Cyclist and giving advantages to being a member of a group like yours. Across all four events, we’re offering a 10% discount code for Avid Cyclist members — it’s one of the few ways you can get a discount into our events.”
And there is even more to celebrate. Avid Cyclist is currently giving away a total of 8 free entries to the winner’s choice of any Ride Collective event. To enter, simply subscribe to the Avid Cyclist weekly newsletter or become an Avid Cyclist member — membership also unlocks the 10% discount on all Ride Collective rides, plus savings on events and products from our growing network of partners.
Whether you are a seasoned cyclist looking for a scenic challenge or a casual rider eager to sip and spin through wine country, the Tour de Vineyards promises a memorable close to the 2026 cycling season. Register now at BikeReg and visit The Ride Collective’s Tour de Vineyards page for full details on logistics, lodging, and more.
Also on AvidCyclist.com: Read our feature on the Tour of the Moon — the Ride Collective event held the week before, September 12, 2026, through the Colorado National Monument — and our coverage of the Enchanted Circle Bicycle Tour in Red River, New Mexico.
