Cycling Colorado

[Gump]

We are thinking about heading west again this summer and would like to spend some time riding in Colorado. Has anyone here done any riding there? Suggested rides?

[Rattlecan ★]

The only riding I have done there was in and around Colorado Springs. 
Garden of the gods is a good spot for road rides but there is some great mountain bike trails around the area.

Takes a while to acclimate to the altitude.

[Razors Edge ★]

32 minutes ago, Gump said:

We are thinking about heading west again this summer and would like to spend some time riding in Colorado. Has anyone here done any riding there? Suggested rides?

What kind of rides - road? MTB? Gravel? What bike(s) will you bring?

My experience is only with my road bike out in the Vail & Breckenridge area, and that was a blast but not nearly long enough. I think Aspen and Independence Pass would be a fun ride and we saw lots of riders working to the top when we drove over it while camping (without our bikes) out there.

The MTB rides would seemingly be pretty epic, as just hiking some of that stuff was a blast, so MTBs or even gravel would be a nice time. 

[Gump]

16 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

What kind of rides - road? MTB? Gravel? What bike(s) will you bring?

My experience is only with my road bike out in the Vail & Breckenridge area, and that was a blast but not nearly long enough. I think Aspen and Independence Pass would be a fun ride and we saw lots of riders working to the top when we drove over it while camping (without our bikes) out there.

The MTB rides would seemingly be pretty epic, as just hiking some of that stuff was a blast, so MTBs or even gravel would be a nice time. 

We would be road biking

[Razors Edge ★]

7 minutes ago, Gump said:

We would be road biking

Cool.  I definitely think the places to ride will radiate out from where you want to stay and explore, so many ski towns will be pretty great in the summer with lots of challenging terrain. We were visiting friend in CO on our way back across the country, and were down near Vail.  

The ride up over Vail Pass to Copper and back was great and "safe" as it was mostly on a side route .  The ride was straight up, and straight down  so you get the reward.  It also is part of a larger "triangle" ride that many folks were doing.  I'd shoot for that the next time I'm there.

 

[Razors Edge ★]

Here's the Copper Triangle ride to check out.

[Gump]

Sweet! Thanks

[Randomguy]

I used to camp near Minturn and ride to Leadville if I brought a road bike, a good grinder of a ride, pretty scenic.  The 10th Mountain Division training camp historical thingy is on the eastern side of the road somewhere betwixt Minturn and Leaville and is a good stop-off point for a rest and to learn some history.  Last time I was there, there was a guy who trained there and fought in Italy in WW2 (it has been a while), very cool to listen to what they went through.

I have more questions about where you are going to be, that will give more ideas of where you'll start/finish and what kind of  ride you want.    Is the goal an epic ride that fits in the area that you will be for that day, or is the ride the deciding factor in where you will be?  How fit are you?  How much climbing can you do?  Do you want 100 miles?  60?  30?

 

[Gump]

22 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

I used to camp near Minturn and ride to Leadville if I brought a road bike, a good grinder of a ride, pretty scenic.  The 10th Mountain Division training camp historical thingy is on the eastern side of the road somewhere betwixt Minturn and Leaville and is a good stop-off point for a rest and to learn some history.  Last time I was there, there was a guy who trained there and fought in Italy in WW2 (it has been a while), very cool to listen to what they went through.

I have more questions about where you are going to be, that will give more ideas of where you'll start/finish and what kind of  ride you want.    Is the goal an epic ride that fits in the area that you will be for that day, or is the ride the deciding factor in where you will be?  How fit are you?  How much climbing can you do?  Do you want 100 miles?  60?  30?

 

At this point we have no real plans. We will probably decide where we go based on rides available.

[Razors Edge ★]

12 minutes ago, Gump said:

At this point we have no real plans. We will probably decide where we go based on rides available.

Camping? Hotels? RV/trailering?

Total time? Stay in one place or move around?  

And, like RG asks, expectations and fitness level?

[Gump]

53 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

Camping? Hotels? RV/trailering?

Total time? Stay in one place or move around?  

And, like RG asks, expectations and fitness level?

Camp or hotel

we plan to move around

there’s no climb too big😁

[Razors Edge ★]

4 minutes ago, Gump said:

there’s no climb too big😁

Then you will like this page!

Their blog is a little out of date, but still, some good stuff.

Highest climbs in Colorado:

Ready to challenge yourself on a bike up the roads of the highest mountains in Colorado? Here is a list of the climbs you may cycle, name and elevation:

1. Mount Evans summit 14150 ft 
2. Pikes Peak summit 14,115 ft 
3. Trail Ridge Road pass 12183 ft  
4. Cottonwood Pass 12126 ft 
5. Independence Pass 12095 ft
6. Loveland Pass 11992 ft 
7. Hoosier Pass 11541 ft
8. Slumgullion Pass 11530 ft
9. Fremont 11320 ft
10. Monarch Pass 11312 ft
11. Berthoud Pass 11307 ft  

 

---

My favorites climbs:

I am certain every cyclist has their own personal favorites, my favorite cycling areas in Colorado are:

• Copper Triangle (Copper Mountain, Leadville, Battle Mountain, Vail Pass loop) 
• Independence Pass/Aspen (both sides)
• Maroon Bells + Castle Creek, Aspen 
• Grand Mesa and Paonia area 
• Squaw Pass/Mt Evans/Idaho Springs Loop
• Lyons, Old St. Vrain Canyon, Peak to Peak Hwy, Ward, Lefthand Canyon, Boulder Loop
• Lyons, Allens Park, up Trail Ridge Road / Grand Lake
• Deer Creek, High Grade, Turkey Creek area loop, SW Denver
• Frisco, Keystone, Montezuma, Loveland Pass, Georgetown area
• Cottonwood Pass between Crested Butte and Buena Vista
• Deckers Loop south of Denver
• Colorado Monument near Grand Junction

[Randomguy]

35 minutes ago, Gump said:

Camp or hotel

we plan to move around

there’s no climb too big😁

Wow, this is not a lot to go on.  You need to get much, MUCH more specific on the details, such as how long you plan to stay, and if you really mean no climb too big.  Are your riding by yourself?  Do you have a sag driver for if/when your lungs and legs give out?  Are you cool with 6 hour rides?  Do you want the most scenic or the most epic?  Shirley you are not only going to ride, sleep, ride, sleep, repeat.

Really, you could just pick an area and be stationary and do tons of riding around Boulder or Durango or Aspen, for instance.  Need good information to get good ideas/plans.

[Gump]

6 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

Wow, this is not a lot to go on.  You need to get much, MUCH more specific on the details, such as how long you plan to stay, and if you really mean no climb too big.  Are your riding by yourself?  Do you have a sag driver for if/when your lungs and legs give out?  Are you cool with 6 hour rides?  Do you want the most scenic or the most epic?  Shirley you are not only going to ride, sleep, ride, sleep, repeat.

Really, you could just pick an area and be stationary and do tons of riding around Boulder or Durango or Aspen, for instance.  Need good information to get good ideas/plans.

We will probably have 5 days in CO. Won’t be doing the biggest climbs as Gumpette is not a fan. Would like to plan 2-3 scenic rides, if they include climbing that is fine. 6 hour rides are no problem.  

[Randomguy]

53 minutes ago, Gump said:

Won’t be doing the biggest climbs as Gumpette is not a fan.

Shoot, all the rides in Colorado will have big extended climbs.  I used to do a ride that started with 28 miles of climbing (not kidding or exaggerating), roller-coasted after that, then to the last 23 miles which were all downhill.

I would come to Boulder and do Super Jamestown and have go at Peak to Peak Hwy and have lunch at Nederland or somesuch and blast back down, then drink some beer.  Then I would go to my Minturn camping ride to Leadville for an out and back if you don't want to do the loop, then maybe to Aspen or the like the next day.  From there, I'd go to CO National Monument for some nice redrock riding and scenery.   Then I might drive through Telluride and down to Durango from there and just pick a spot to ride for the 5 days of riding.   

It is really hard to go wrong.  RE has a good list, too, I tend to know more local rides nearest to Boulder and surrounding area.  There is nothing that is not climby in CO unless you are doing the plains, and why would you?  I will be jealous.  You will need some serious recovery if you do 5 hard days in a row in CO coming from sea level.  Oh, I also assume that you will come out in summer.

[Gump]

45 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

Shoot, all the rides in Colorado will have big extended climbs.  I used to do a ride that started with 28 miles of climbing (not kidding or exaggerating), roller-coasted after that, then to the last 23 miles which were all downhill.

I would come to Boulder and do Super Jamestown and have go at Peak to Peak Hwy and have lunch at Nederland or somesuch and blast back down, then drink some beer.  Then I would go to my Minturn camping ride to Leadville for an out and back if you don't want to do the loop, then maybe to Aspen or the like the next day.  From there, I'd go to CO National Monument for some nice redrock riding and scenery.   Then I might drive through Telluride and down to Durango from there and just pick a spot to ride for the 5 days of riding.   

It is really hard to go wrong.  RE has a good list, too, I tend to know more local rides nearest to Boulder and surrounding area.  There is nothing that is not climby in CO unless you are doing the plains, and why would you?  I will be jealous.  You will need some serious recovery if you do 5 hard days in a row in CO coming from sea level.  Oh, I also assume that you will come out in summer.

We will be coming from a week of backpacking in WY. Plan on late July or early August.

[Gump]

Change in plans

we’ve decided not to drive across the country this year, so no cycling in CO. Instead we are flying to Denver. From there off to WY backpacking and a side trip to GTNP. Then returning to Estes Park CO where we rented a cabin for five days. Will do some hiking in RMNP, maybe visit Pikes Peak, do some horseback riding and checkout other attractions. 

[Razors Edge ★]

Just now, Gump said:

Change in plans

we’ve decided not to drive across the country this year, so no cycling in CO. Instead we are flying to Denver. From there off to WY backpacking and a side trip to GTNP. Then returning to Estes Park CO where we rented a cabin for five days. Will do some hiking in RMNP, maybe visit Pikes Peak, do some horseback riding and checkout other attractions. 

Still sounds AWESOME!

[MoseySusan ★]

On 1/3/2023 at 9:48 AM, Gump said:

Would like to plan 2-3 scenic rides, if they include climbing that is fine. 6 hour rides are no problem.

The path between Breckinridge and Frisco, the loop around Dillon Lake, the Rails to Trails between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. All very scenic and with lodging you can ride from. 
 

So, maybe rent bikes. 

[Randomguy]

3 hours ago, Gump said:

Change in plans

we’ve decided not to drive across the country this year, so no cycling in CO. Instead we are flying to Denver. From there off to WY backpacking and a side trip to GTNP. Then returning to Estes Park CO where we rented a cabin for five days. Will do some hiking in RMNP, maybe visit Pikes Peak, do some horseback riding and checkout other attractions. 

Heck, you should be able to rent a bike or two someplace!

[Gump]

19 minutes ago, Randomguy said:

Heck, you should be able to rent a bike or two someplace!

That may work too😁