History at the speed of a bicycle!

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.    

Wes Dearborn, the originator of the Cog Ride in 2013, 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.  Historic Hayden Granary Inc, a non-profit 501c3, along with the Hayden Heritage Center are beneficiaries of the ride proceeds. 

Ride the Cog has proven to be a great way to see the backroads of West Routt County, enjoy some amazing food and live music all while supporting the Historic Hayden Granary.

Ride the Cog highlights the history and legacy of Hayden and West Routt County.  Although ‘gravel grinders’ are currently a big trend for cyclists, West Routt has been gravel grinding for over a century, thanks to early Hayden pioneers and cycling enthusiasts Ferry Carpenter and Ernest Walker in the early 1900s.  The Cog Ride takes advantage of the Cog’s impressive climb along with the network of gravel roads surrounding 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.

Ride the Cog has proven to be a colorful gathering for every level and age of bicycle enthusiast. From vintage models, single speeds, and tandems to fat bikes and high-end racing setups, you see it all.