Originally Posted by
morry32
I've done some digging through the forums and wanted some fresh advice. I am looking for somewhere to disappear for a couple of days on my road bike and this looks awesome however I have a few questions.
this is the route-
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=9&lci=bike
I am curious what those "dirt paths" are like in mid April and if my 27X1.25 tires can handle it? Following that would be has anyone ridden that Forest Road 320/Mt Herman Rd? It looks to be a climb and on dirt?
Also I know I can camp anywhere in the Forest but I'd rather not make new camps and fire pits unless it is completely necessary, anyone know if there are campsites near that road?
Thanks
The dirt part of your route will probably be okay by mid April...provided that we don't get snow for a few days before your ride. The Santa Fe Trail route is very firm and well drained but riding on it shortly after a storm wouldn't be that wise. North of Monument, the trail is less sandy than through the Air Academy.
Mt Herman, on the other hand, is a different issue. It is relatively steep. It is a graded road but it's not very smooth. A mountain bike would be a much better choice for that ride. You
could do it on a road bike but it wouldn't be a pleasant ride.
A better route to Woodland Park would be
this one. Turn west a Sedalia and ride up CO67 over Rampart Range Road. There is a 7 mile section of dirt on that ride but the route is smoother than Mt Herman. The ride from Deckers to Woodland Park is rather pretty and a little remote.
This route is a little longer (about 10 miles) and still includes a little dirt riding but it's relatively good road, too.