Mountain Biking Retreat + Wilderness Medicine CME

FAQs

Logistics & Lodging

Is lodging included?
No. This gives you the flexibility to create your own adventure within your own budget—whether that’s camping under the stars or staying in a hotel downtown.

Where should I stay?
• Camping (free, first come first serve): Gothic Rd, Brush Creek Rd
• Camping (paid, reservation required): Lake Irwin
• Hotels: Elk Mountain Lodge (in-town, walkable to restaurants), Elevation Hotel (on the mountain, ski-in/ski-out location), Vaquera House (luxury boutique hotel in-town)
• Vacation Rentals: Acadamy Place (in-town, variety of sizes, best for small groups or families)

How do I get into town?
You can fly directly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC). We can help coordinate pickups from there. Alternatively, you can fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) and rent a car for the scenic ~4.5-hour drive.

How much does the trip cost?
The trip cost is $1,999. This includes guided rides, breakfasts with CME lectures, snacks, shuttles, and our kickoff campfire dinner. Lodging and bike rentals are not included, giving you flexibility with your budget and accommodations. We also offer a resident discount of $1,750 to help make the experience more accessible during training years.

What if the weather is bad?
Unfortunately, this is out of our control. We try to bike in the morning as a majority of bad weather tends to occur in the afternoons, and will adjust accordingly based on local weather patterns

What is your cancellation policy?
90+ days in advance: 50% refund
60–90 days in advance: 25% refund
Less than 60 days: No refund
If we are able to completely fill the empty spots, then we will do our best to accomomdate a larger refund or arrange a future trip credit

Is there a minimum age requirement?
We require that all participants are 18 years or older

Meals & Food

Do you provide breakfast?
Yes. We’ll enjoy breakfast at a variety of local establishments—this is also when we’ll conduct our morning lectures before hitting the trails. This way, afternoons and evenings are free for you to explore.

Do you provide lunches or dinners?
No, except for our first night campfire dinner. Most rides will wrap up around lunchtime, leaving you free to choose your own dining options. There may be optional group dinners, but these will be self-directed given how busy Crested Butte is in summer.

Do you provide snacks?
Yes, we’ll have a selection of ride fuel like Honey Stingers, bars, and trail snacks.

I have a food allergy—can you accommodate?
We will do our best to accommodate any food allergies. Please let us know in advance.

What restaurants should I try in town?
• Slogar: Classic family-style fried chicken with hearty sides.
• Breadery: Artisan bakery + restaurant with excellent sourdough pizza.
• Secret Stash: Legendary pizza joint with creative, must-try pies.

Biking & Riding

Can I bring my own bike?
Absolutely! Bring your own setup if you prefer, or rent locally.

How do I get my bike to the trailhead each day?
We’ll shuttle you and your bike each morning from town to the highest trail access point.

Are guides required?
Yes. Because of our group size, we will be hiring guides for safety and local expertise.

Can I opt out of the guided experience and do my own ride?
Yes, but because guides are paid at a flat rate, the cost of the trip remains the same.

What if I don’t bike?
No problem! You can opt out of any rides. However, pricing remains unchanged due to fixed guide costs.

Is prior mountain biking experience required?
Yes. The trails we’ll ride are primarily blues and blacks, with sections of high exposure. This is not a beginner-friendly trip. You can always opt out of the harder rides if you feel uncomfortable, and if enough riders prefer a mellower option, we can split into groups.

Do I need to be in good shape to participate?
Yes. This trip includes long rides, hard climbs, and high altitude (9,000–11,000+ ft). Strong baseline fitness and prior mountain biking experience are essential. The trails we ride are blues and blacks, with technical sections and sustained climbing. While you can always opt out of harder rides, this is not a beginner-friendly trip.

What should I bring on my trip?
Multiple short-sleeve bike jerseys
Bike shorts
Lightweight long-sleeve base layer
Packable rain jacket
Bike gloves
Bike socks
Sunglasses
Bike shoes (flats or clipless)
Personal lunch/snack choices if you prefer more than energy bars/gels
Backpack with 2–3L hydration bladder
Your bike (unless renting
Helmet
Pedals
Camera (optional)

Community & Family

What is the group size?
We keep groups between 12–18 participants. This ensures a small, intimate experience while still bringing the energy and camaraderie of a group ride.

Can I bring my family?
Yes. If they also ride, they can reserve a paid spot. If they are not riding, we ask they not be included in the morning sessions / meals. Afternoons are generally free, so there’s still plenty of time to spend together. They are welcome to join the opening campfire.