The Inaugural Bird to Bird Gravel Ride

Trail Connections, Community Reflections

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, nearly 60 cyclists gathered at dawn in downtown Gunnison for the first-ever Bird to Bird gravel bike ride—a free, community-focused event created to connect the Gunnison valley while supporting local trail systems. Presented by Bluebird Real Estate and co-hosted by the Gunnison Gravel Club, Double Shot Cyclery, and Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven, the morning kicked off at Bluebird’s Gunnison office with coffee, doughnuts, ride bandanas for the participants, and plenty of pre-ride chatter. Riders then hit the 37-mile route through Ohio Creek and up and over the scenic Ohio Pass.

The event was planned to coincide with the Gravel Club’s annual ride to Crested Butte and happened to be on the same day as the final stage of the Tour de France, a favorite among the avid cyclists in attendance.

The course featured 2,500 feet of climbing, with a refreshing rest stop at mile 25 at the Swampy Pass Trailhead. Cyclists of all abilities took on the challenge at their own pace, pedaling with race bikes and e-bikes as well, enjoying sweeping views, crisp mountain air, and a spirit of camaraderie that defined the day. Spirits were high as the riders glided down Kebler Pass into downtown Crested Butte at the Bluebird Real Estate office on Elk Avenue, where participants were welcomed with celebratory beer, Secret Stash pizza, and a commemorative souvenir coin.

Proceeds and donations directly supported the Bird to Bird event and gave back to our incredible local trail stewards—Gunnison Trails and the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA)—two organizations dedicated to maintaining and advancing trail access across the valley. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our event sponsors listed below. Their support made this incredible day possible!

We’re excited to grow the Bird to Bird ride in the coming years, with plans to reverse the course direction each year! If you’d like to support the event, donations can be made through Venmo to @bluebirdcharitable. You can also show your support for our trails by becoming a member or donating directly to Gunnison Trails or CBMBA.
gunnisontrails.org
crestedbuttemountainbike.com

Inaugural Ride Sponsors

-Becky Frey Real Estate Group

-Lupine Design

-Benchmark Mortgage

-McNeil Family

-Seipp Family

-The Beckwith Residences