A hill climb challenge
nestled within our long course
“The Whole” is our race-day long course featuring 113 gorgeous miles and a legendary climb known locally as Twelvemile. This year, we’re adding a race within the race on October 11th, 2025.
Meet the Solar Roast Coffee Climb.
What is it?
The Solar Roast Coffee Climb is a segment of “The Whole” 113 mile course. All of our 2025 riders and racers registered for “The Whole” course will be included. It’s one of our favorite sections of the entire course. Is it robust? Of course. But what’s life without some flavor?
The Stats
The Solar Roast Coffee Climb, AKA “Twelvemile” as it’s known locally, is a gravel climb that gains 3,400’ of elevation in about 11 miles.
How does it work?
Just past Aid Station #3 in the Beulah Valley, riders and racers in “The Whole” will cross a timing checkpoint that will begin their time on this legendary climb. There’s a second timing control at the summit.
Riders will be ranked for Hill Climb podiums based on their elapsed time from the checkpoints at the base and summit. Solar Roast will be there to greet you at the summit with a quick coffee or water recharge.
The segment is already part of the course. So, push for the hill climb podium or take it at whatever pace you prefer. Ride your ride.
Cash AND Coffee for Climb Podiums?!
You betcha. And glory, of course. Solar Roast will be awarding our top climbers (Women, Men, Non-binary) back at the Festival:
1st overall climb time per category: $150 cash plus Solar Roast Coffee and gear
2nd overall climb time per category: $50 cash plus Solar Roast Coffee and gear
3rd overall climb time per category: Solar Roast Coffee and gear
What is Solar Roast Coffee?
Solar Roast is a Pueblo-based coffee roaster and inventor of the world's only commercial solar-powered coffee roaster. Their signature roasting process makes some of the most flavorful coffee in the world…and they don’t burn any fossil fuels in the process.
A legitimately legendary climb.
3,400’ of elevation gain in 11 miles
with a coffee kick at the top
One of Colorado’s standout gravel climbs.
We did the research.
The Twelvemile climb a few years ago…
Photo: Beulah Historical Society
Photo: Scott TribbyA big ol’ hill
at the heart of Colorado’s outdoor history
It’s worth noting that regardless of which method you use to categorize a climb, Twelvemile stands out amongst ALL the major gravel climbs in Colorado. This climb is glorious. Let’s struggle together, support each other up this thing, and celebrate together at the finish.
Twelvemile is a rare gem in Colorado. It’s low traffic, huge gain, big views, and some of our favorite corners we’ve EVER ridden. Plus, the area has MASSIVE outdoor recreation history. The first designated recreational unit in the entire US Forest Service is Squirrel Creek, just north. If you’ve camped or played outside on USFS lands…Squirrel Creek came first. Wild, right?
