History and Mission
The club, originally called the Bicycle Boys from Hell, was founded in 1985 by a small group of gay friends interested in riding some of the best trails around the state. The club flourished and, in 2002, changed its name to Rocky Mountain Bicycle Boys, since some folks were intimidated by the "from Hell" part of the name. Who knew?!?
While comprised mainly of gay riders, the club is very open and welcomes both men and women of any sexual orientation who are passionate about off-road riding. As a gay-friendly club, we are intimately aware of the sting of discrimination and are determined not to inflict that evil upon others. We just like to ride, and if we can bring people together one trail at a time, then so much the better.
Unlike other organizations, we're not good at promoting our cause publicly. We are our own group and are not funded by any outside sources. Our best tools are our reputation, hospitality, philosophy, and others' word of mouth. As part of our open philosophy, anyone is welcome to participate in all club events. So come and ride with us. If you like us, please tell your friends.
Age and Ability
The club is comprised of people of varying ages and abilities. Our youngest riders are in their upper 20's, while our oldest are well into their 60's. Be careful with age stereotypes in the club, though. Some of our older riders are also among our best!
Most of us are accomplished backcountry riders, and many of our rides are both physically demanding and technically challenging. That said, everyone in the group was once a newbie, and the club encourages those new to mountain biking to ride within their own comfort level and gradually acquire the skills and endurance to become better riders. Until then, we are always willing to lend a helping hand where needed. We're a friendly bunch, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need some tips. Words of advice are free. Trips to the hospital are not!
Treading Grounds
We tend to favor singletrack trails, especially those in Colorado’s high country. The group sponsors frequent weekend and holiday trips throughout the riding season, which runs from April through October. Several multi-day trips are scheduled each year to locations such as Moab, Fruita, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Vail, Durango and Telluride. In addition, frequent day rides are sponsored on trails in the foothills near Denver. Besides scheduled club rides, we often get together informally for more spontaneous day rides. Be sure to examine the “Events” page to learn more about future and past rides.
Meetings
We gather on the first Wednesday of each Month, April thru October, for a potluck dinner and meeting. Different people host these social affairs at their homes in the Denver area. Those new to the area or the sport of mountain biking are encouraged to attend so that they may meet with others and learn more about the club, the sport, and upcoming rides.
Membership Changes for 2010
NEW FOR 2010!! We will do away with formal memberships and club dues. Since members and non-members alike were welcomed to all club events, there was hardly any tangible benefit for paying dues and becoming a member. To fix that, the club had to:
A) punish non-members,
B) reward members, or
C) just eliminate the inherently exclusive and judgmental concept of "membership."
As in all other multiple choice questions, we chose the longest answer! It was never our mission to make lots of money or keep people out, so it made sense to just throw the doors open!
Unfortunately, we can't ignore our expenses. The club continues to incur modest expenses in maintaining this web site, sponsoring a few social events, and donating to charitable organizations and causes. To keep our books in the black without membership dues, we have decided to add a minimal fee of $5 to our multi-day trips. So instead of costing $180 for a 4-night trip to Steamboat Springs, for example, the new price will be $185. Yes, 'tis hardly a prick! (Talk about bad lines to hear on a date!) Importantly, every day ride remains free!
