Written By: Justin Shaw, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Photos By: Ziggy Ross
The Rides and Vibes Festival is gearing up for its third annual celebration in Downtown Grand Junction this weekend. The festival offers a variety of activities, including local vendors, live music, and of course, cycling.
While Rides and Vibes has only been around for a few years, the event itself dates back over a decade.
Epic Rides, based in Tuscon, Arizona, founded the Grand Junction Off-Road event in 2013. It attracted cyclists from around the state to participate in one weekend’s worth of races and activities. The pandemic, however, affected the event’s future in town, and the Grand Junction Sports Commission (GJSC) ultimately took control of it.
Since its acquisition, it has been renamed the Rides and Vibes Festival and has become one of the most anticipated yearly events in the city, drawing in upwards of 25,000 people, according to GJSC.
Cyclists may participate in one of the five events during the weekend. From a 15-mile competition to a 40-mile race, riders can choose the event that suits their respective skill levels. Multiple races begin and end on Main Street, with courses varying depending on the skill level.
There is a $30,000 cash pool, with winners of each respective pro race winning $5,000. The Women’s and Men’s Pro races have a cash pool of $15,000 each, with each qualifying finish in the top ten also winning a cash prize.
“It’s a great blend of competition and camaraderie that keeps bringing me back year after year,” said former participant Xavier Wilson. “There’s something about the energy and the challenge of the course that’s addicting.”
The event also brings in local musicians and vendors to liven up the atmosphere and attract people from all across the city to come out and enjoy the event. This year, Cousin Curtiss and The Blue Stones will headline the music portion of the event, with various local artists such as Crêpe Girl rounding out the weekend’s remaining lineup.
Kate Ellyson, marketing director of GJSC, spoke on the importance of partnering with local businesses and nonprofits to fund the event.
“They help us out with getting everything set up and all the resources they have to help put it on,” Ellyson said. “To say that we would not be able to put this event on without our partnerships is an understatement.”
This year, GJSC is partnering with the United Way of Mesa County for the United We Spin event. Participants can donate money and ride stationary bicycles to raise funds for the Mesa County Imagination Library. The program provides books for every child in Mesa County who signed up for the program under the age of five, promoting a love of reading and learning from an early age.
One thing that GJSC is also focused on improving is community involvement.
“We want to make sure this it’s a really big community event for us,” Ellyson said. “We want to bring in bigger headliners that people know and love, whether they’re local or regional.”
Grand Junction’s Main Street was recently voted eighth best in the nation in a USA Today poll. The blend of historic architecture, local businesses, and various art sculptures provides a picture-esque backdrop for a weekend filled with excitement and adventure.
Looking ahead, the Rides and Vibes Festival will continue to evolve, with organizers dedicated to increasing community participation and expanding the event’s reach. The festival, which is about to enter its third year under the new name, is considered by many to be a cornerstone of Grand Junction’s cultural calendar because it combines music, athleticism, and local culture into an eventful weekend.
With plans to bring in more well-known performers and develop connections with local businesses and nonprofits, Rides and Vibes’ future is filled with possibilities for promoting community and excitement in Grand Junction.
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