Meet 2026 CR Rider: Hal Ellis

We caught up with Colorado Springs resident and retired Air Force pilot Hal Ellis to chat about cycling, adventure, and why he keeps coming back to be part of a multi-day ride. This will be Hal’s 25th(!) ride in the Rockies. Read more about our chat earlier this week as he prepared his bike for the upcoming Colorado’s Ride. 

Name: Hal Ellis

Occupation: Retired pilot

Age: Mentally, 30-something. Physically, 71.

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Colorado Springs and spent 28 years in the Air Force before eventually moving back to Colorado Springs. Along the way,  I picked up two hobbies that have stuck with me: riding bikes and flying airplanes. 

What bike are you riding and what plane are you flying? 

Flying a T-34 single-engine plane and riding an Alchemy road bike with a custom-made frame with Di2

What’s in your jersey pockets?

The essentials: a cell phone, mini-wallet, rain jacket, at least one nutrition bar, and a couple of packets of Skratch. 

What keeps you coming back?

“Colorado’s Ride is the most well-organized ride I’ve been on,” he says. But the organization is only part of it. For Hal, the real draw is the adventure — and the people he shares it with.

What are your favorite memories: 

The first thing that comes to mind is when we began in Telluride. It was something I had never experienced before, and it was awesome. Also, climbing Rabbit Ears Pass in Steamboat with Doug Sesserman without stopping. And the day we rode from Cortez to Durango that was a “long sludge climb” that took between 12-13 hours. There was also the year the group rode from Boulder to Winter Park. It rained, snowed, and hailed. The organizers took us off the course– it was a mess, and it was so fun!

What do you wish you knew the first time you did this ride?  

I wish I had known more about gears! Also, another important lesson that I’ve learned is nutrition and energy management. I’m doing it a lot better now than when I first started multiday rides and could probably still make some adjustments. 

What advice for new riders? 

Be prepared for Colorado weather: Bring leg warmers, arm warmers, a jacket, and two water bottles. Most importantly, remember that Colorado’s Ride is about enjoying the experience. It’s not a race–go at your own pace.