deCycles Southwest America 2025

deCycles Southwest America 2025 Invitation June 26 - July 17 (does not include pre & post trip travel)

LOS ANGELES TO DENVER cycling through the magnificent American southwest sponsored by the deCycles
You are invited to a summer of FUN, ADVENTURE, THRILLS, FRIENDS, & FITNESS! Pedaling a bicycle from Los Angeles to Denver will be the coolest thing you ever do. WOW, what an achievement! This is the 32nd consecutive deCycles summer bicycle trip and we’ve done this similar route in the past and it was totally mind blowing. It’s one of the most scenic and mysterious places on the planet. This is your chance for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Be like the 1600 other deCycles veterans who enthusiastically say it was the most amazing experience and defining moment of their lives. Forward this invitation to your friends and relatives. All they need is a bike, helmet, and a desire to do something really different.

The trip begins in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world. After a practice ride touring Hollywood, the group will pedal through the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas for two nights stay. Then off to St. George, Utah and visiting Hoover Dam and hiking in Zion National Park along the way. The group will then head east to Page, Arizona on 4th of July visiting Antelope Canyon and Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural arch in the world. Next up will be cycling through Monument Valley before dawn for a truly eerie extraterrestrial experience. This is already the best bike ride in America but there is more to come. As the group approaches southwestern Colorado, there will be stops in Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, and ride the awesome Million Dollar Highway in the San Juan Mountains. Many regard this as the most scenic mountain road in America. The final week will follow the central Colorado corridor to Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park and Salida with a final push over the Continental Divide to the popular ski resort areas of Breckenridge and ending in either Denver or Colorado Springs. Wow, you can’t find a better 3-week high adventure trip loaded with spectacular scenery.

The Details

Dates: June 26 - July 17 (Pre-trip travel days to Los Angeles on June 24, 25 … and post trip travel days on July 18, 19 back home)

Transportation: Once registered, you will be notified of air transportation options to Los Angeles and ground transportation back to your home after the trip. We’ll try to get everyone on the same flight.

Requirements: Student riders age 13-22. Beginners welcome and no previous experience necessary. All levels of cycling ability are welcome. Don’t worry if you are 13-14. Hundreds of early teen riders have successfully completed trips in the past 31-years. Talk to any deCycles veteran and they know you can do it and will encourage you to sign up.

Adult riders: Any age. The oldest adult-rider in deCycles history was 80. The youngest student-riders have been 12 turning 13. Most riders are middle school, high school, and college students.

Equipment: Late model multi-speed road bike, helmet, 2-waterbottles, cycling apparel. We can help you find a bike if you don’t have one. See other pages on this website for equipment requirements.

Training: Upon acceptance of your registration, you will be notified of training guidelines for local and non-local riders.

Cost: Less than $19/day including meals, overnight accommodations, luggage transfer, a riding jersey, light mechanical & repairs, and road support. The deCycles trip fee is extremely affordable. There is no other summer camp or trip less expensive than this anywhere in the world. For example, Backroads Vacation bicycle trips are usually $700-800/day. Summer Scout camps are $700 per week. This trip is $450 for 3.5-weeks … extremely affordable. Fundraising and sponsorships are also available.

Scholarship promotion: An airfare scholarship will be offered for the first 15 full-time students age 13-22 who sign up and register.

Overnight accommodations: The deCycles are guests at churches, schools, gyms and recreation centers. You will bring three items on the trip: bike, sleeping bag, luggage bag.

Optional Excursions: Rainbow Bridge boat tour (cost TBA). The cost of optional excursions is the rider’s responsibility. The deCycles will hold fundraising events and car washes for riders to earn money to pay for their trip and excursions. Many riders have launched GoFundMe donation requests to cover their costs. If you really want to go, don’t let money hold you back. There are plenty of ways to obtain donations and raise funds.

Registration

Registration for deCycles Southwest America 2025 is now closed

Bike Trip Fee

$450: One full payment with registration.

- OR -

$600: Two-step payment plan. Minimum $250 deposit with registration. $350 balance due April 15, 2025.

$200: Add to above fee if you are not a full time student age 13 - 22.

-- No trip fee or ground transportation costs for adult support van drivers --

Transportation Options

Upon acceptance of your application, you will be informed about air travel or ground transportation options to Los Angeles.

You will also be informed about transportation options from Denver at the end of the trip.

-- No trip fee or ground transportation costs for adult support van drivers --

Student Airfair Scholarship (expires April 1, 2025)

- First 15-student applicants (1-15) accepted before April 01, 2025 will receive an airfare voucher: $150 rookies, $100 veterans.

- Student applicants must be 13-22 and currently enrolled full time in MS, HS, or college to qualify for airfare scholarship.

- Applicants not qualifying for airfare promotion will be contacted about other airfare & transportation options.

- Trip fee must be paid in full on or before April 01, 2025 to qualify for airfare scholarship.

- When application and trip fee is received & accepted, you will be notified regarding your student airfare scholarship status.

- Students awarded airfare scholarship must refund the voucher amount if canceling or not finishing the trip for any reason.

Basic Bike Trip

… Includes …

Overnight accommodations, most meals, food breaks, transport of luggage & bike, laundry, sag support,
deCycles T-shirt, road tolls, and minor repairs.

… Excludes …

Road bike & parts, riding attire, health and accident insurance, any medical expenses, sightseeing & personal expenses.

… Contact …

For questions regarding this invitation to a very affordable summer adventure,
please contact us at normhouze@comcast.net or 812-824-4567.

30 APPLICANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED! OTHERS WILL BE PLACED ON WAITLIST.

Register early and be one of the 15 student riders to qualify for airfare scholarship

Highlights