Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, The Denver Post Community Foundation and presenting sponsor Viaero Wireless have announced the route for the 2016 Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour. Now in its fifth year, an estimated 1,000 riders will spin through southeast Colorado covering 151 miles over the course of 3 days. From September 16-18, participants will visit the host communities of Ordway, Fowler and La Junta, while touring a number of scenic, historical and agricultural stops along the way. Off the bike, cyclists will enjoy locally sourced food, beer gardens, live entertainment and the community spirit of Colorado’s Eastern Plains.

“The bar is high for our fifth Pedal The Plains,” said Hickenlooper. “Every year this event gets better and we’re looking forward to celebrating our frontier heritage, exploring our Eastern Plains communities and raising funds to benefit tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.”

The ride across Colorado’s Eastern Plains is a celebration of Colorado cycling culture, combining great rides, delicious eats and close friends. Billed as “a ride for the rest of us,” Pedal The Plains is set in the heart of western agriculture, home of the frontier spirit that inspires all of us to keep pedaling.

Cyclists will pedal away the weekend between entertainment and festivities, eat meals made with local produce and stay in accommodations ranging from tents to private home stays. Participants may enjoy their time off the bicycle seat as much as on it. From pie-eating contests to dairy farms, working ranches to historic re-enactments, beer gardens to live music and games, Pedal The Plains has it all.

“As Director of Ride The Rockies I’ve become quite acquainted with the majority of Western Colorado, but it has been a true delight getting to know the Eastern part of the state through Pedal The Plains,” said Tour Director Chandler Smith. “We are looking forward to returning to La Junta and adding Ordway and Fowler to the cast of PTP host communities.”

Highlights of the 2016 tour include:

• Olney War Memorial

• Bobby’s Animal Farm

• Local Farmers Markets

• CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

• La Junta Livestock and Winter Livestock Sale Barns

• Working Ranches

• Santa Fe Trail

• Koshare Indian Museum

• Comanche National Grassland

• Bent’s Fort National Historic Site

• Fowler Historical Museum

Pedal The Plains provides significant economic benefits and opportunities for host communities through lodging, restaurant and retail businesses, as well as entertainment, community meals, home stays and transportation.

Proceeds from the ride benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation in support of the Colorado FFA Foundation and Colorado 4-H. In addition, Pedal The Plains will award a separate grant to each of the three host communities for an organization or community initiative of their choice.

Viaero Wireless is joined in supporting the ride by founding partners Western Dairy Association, Anadarko Petroleum, Noble Energy and Suncor Energy.

“There is no greater day for a homegrown community business than one where we have a chance to give back,” said Viaero’s President, Frank DiRico. “We are excited to not only ride for three days, but to also provide wireless 4G access to carry every tweet, Facebook update and photo from our cyclists.”

Pedal The Plains’ ride offerings include the 3-Day Tour, Century Ride and Family Fun Ride. Online registration is available at PedalThePlains.com and walk-on registration will be available for all of the Tour’s ride offerings.