Ride the Cog Festival: Pedals, Parks & Pints
Routt County's ORIGINAL gravel ride based in
HAYDEN, COLORADO!
Routt County's ORIGINAL gravel ride based in
HAYDEN, COLORADO!
The Hayden Cog road is impressive both in its physical presence, beautiful panoramic views of the Yampa Valley, and historical prominence. Winding its way up vertically for nearly 3 miles at an approximate 11 percent grade, it’s no wonder that a unique bike ride has been created to take advantage of this amenity, as well as the network of gravel roads that make up the ideal biking routes that surround Hayden.
Ferry Carpenter was known to ride his bicycle to commute to his law office back in the early 1900s. “The Gravel Grinder", is the same bicycle route Ferry used in 1913 and his descendants, the Zars family, still continue that legacy while commuting to the homestead today.
Wes Dearborn, the originator of the Cog Ride in 2014, has seen the event grow significantly over the past few years. He originally started the event to raise monies for the ALS Foundation in Boston however in 2016 he chose to bring the events benefits closer to home making it beneficial to the community of Hayden and West Routt County. West Routt Forward, a non-profit 501c3 are beneficiaries of the ride proceeds.
Ride the Cog has proven to be a great way to see the backroads of West Routt County for every level and age of bicycle enthusiast. E-Bikes are welcome for those who want super-powers going up the hills. Post ride, enjoy some amazing food and live music all while supporting the West Routt Forward Vision.
West Routt Forward is a non-profit 501c3 that was formed to enable the visions for Hayden, Colorado's future, identified in the 2020 master plan and enable them to come to fruition.
Current initiatives include Incorporating creative, low-cost trail connections to provide connectivity between parks, open space and neighborhoods and Town Park on 3rd street improvements including tennis court resurfacing, facility repair and infrastructure upgrades.
West Routt Forward has stepped forward to steward the tradition of Ride the Cog, which was previously a benefit ride for the Historic Hayden Granary and for the Hayden Heritage Center.
Hayden and West Routt County have some excellent road and mountain biking opportunities, on a great network of quiet, rural gravel roads.
"Ride The Cog" Routt County's Original Gravel Ride: A signature route that explores Routt County's original gravel ride, combining breathtaking views of Elkhead Reservoir and Bears Ears Mountain with a touch of agricultural heritage.
Diverse Cycling Routes:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
7:30am Registration and Check-In at Hayden Town Park (3rd St.)
8:00am Gravel Grinder/ Combined Ride begins
9:00am Breezer Ride begins
10:30am Kids Zone Open
11:00am Beginner/ never ever clinic
12:00am Intermediate MTN bike clinic
12:00pm Food Trucks/Vendors open
1:00pm Parade
1:00-3:00pm Live Music and Beer Garden
ALL EVENTS MEET AT TOWN PARK 229 S 3rd St., Hayden CO
Do you have questions or comments about the event? Do you need special accommodations? Send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Copyright © 2023 RIDE THE COG - All Rights Reserved.
West Routt Forward 501(c)3 is dedicated to strengthening the West Routt County community through strategic philanthropy and civic engagement. As a collaborative partner with the Town of Hayden, WRF mobilizes resources and fosters community participation to align with and support local priorities. Our mission is to empower sustainable community development and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
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