The Denver FDR (Frustrated Dad's Ride)
Denver's parent-friendly race-pace drop ride out of Stapleton — 42 miles of contested KOMs and sprints, early start so you're home before anyone notices you left.
The vibe
Race hard, home for breakfast
The FDR is a Denver institution. It earned the name because the early Saturday start was designed specifically so riders with families could get 42 miles and serious racing in, then get home before anyone noticed they were gone. The early start is a feature, not a bug. Starting at Cycleton in Stapleton, the ride rolls out mellow through the neighborhoods and sharpens up once it exits the city.
This is a Cat 1–4 drop ride. KOM segments at Airport Hill and Alpe D’26th draw genuine efforts. Sprints at Watkins, Subaru, and Prison are contested. If you get dropped, you’re riding home solo or waiting for the next lap — it’s that kind of ride. The rolling roads northeast of Denver are fast, open, and perfect for this format.
Updates and route details are posted in the Northeast Denver Cycling Facebook Group. Seasonal time change applies: summer starts at 7:00 AM, winter at 8:00 AM. Show up with nutrition — 42 miles at race intensity will empty the tank.