jorpe
05-05-07, 01:40 AM
just trying to test how far I can ride in a day, dont laugh at me I'm new at this...
View Full Version : flattest 50 mile round trip ride in Denver area...
SirScott
05-07-07, 10:20 AM
From my place (C470 & Kipling) I can ride to Confuence Park via the Platte River Trail and that's a 40 mi round trip and in my opinion, the flattest possible ride around for me given my starting location. So check out the platte, cherry creek, bear creek, etc.
velo2000
05-07-07, 12:13 PM
Get on the bike path, ride 25 miles, turn around and ride home. :)
Seriously though, you could ride to the Cherry Creek trail, take that out to Cherry Creek State Park and ride loops around the reservoir to get in as many miles as you want. There are a couple short hills around the reservoir, but nothing too serious.
Seriously though, you could ride to the Cherry Creek trail, take that out to Cherry Creek State Park and ride loops around the reservoir to get in as many miles as you want. There are a couple short hills around the reservoir, but nothing too serious.
DataJunkie
05-07-07, 12:27 PM
The north platte coming out of denver is fairly flat. Heck, it is flat everywhere I have ridden on it from Evans on up. It is about 15 miles from rei to 104th. So, start 10 miles further south...I guess.
bmclaughlin807
05-07-07, 01:46 PM
Duh... ALL of the trails that follow creeks/rivers are fairly flat... they have to be! Otherwise the water would have to flow uphill! *smirks*
DataJunkie
05-07-07, 02:06 PM
smart ***** :p
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
jorpe
05-07-07, 02:10 PM
smart ***** :p
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
I thought I was just getting a groove as I got to the end of the cherry creek :(
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
I thought I was just getting a groove as I got to the end of the cherry creek :(
DnvrFox
05-07-07, 02:23 PM
Go around the Wash Park loop 17 times
DataJunkie
05-07-07, 02:43 PM
oh god. Where is the snoring smilie? :p
That is unless the cute college girls are out jogging or sunning themselves. That would be a s....l.....o....w 17 times around.
That is unless the cute college girls are out jogging or sunning themselves. That would be a s....l.....o....w 17 times around.
DataJunkie
05-07-07, 02:46 PM
I thought I was just getting a groove as I got to the end of the cherry creek :(
To be truthful, it is not much of a downhill. On a good day I can hit the mid 20s. That is not much faster than what I can do on a completely flat trail. In fact it is one of those odd slopes that is difficult to notice. That is unless you are heading away from the platte and wondering why you are riding 1-2 mph slower.
To be truthful, it is not much of a downhill. On a good day I can hit the mid 20s. That is not much faster than what I can do on a completely flat trail. In fact it is one of those odd slopes that is difficult to notice. That is unless you are heading away from the platte and wondering why you are riding 1-2 mph slower.
bmclaughlin807
05-07-07, 03:03 PM
smart ***** :p
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
I did say 'fairly' flat. :p
For not so flat rides, come ride in my neighborhood! :D Got some really nice rides... Lariat Loop is a nice one. :D
Actually it does help if they flow downhill a bit if they are draining into something. The cherry creek has a slight downhill approaching the platte. As I am sure you know. :p
I did say 'fairly' flat. :p
For not so flat rides, come ride in my neighborhood! :D Got some really nice rides... Lariat Loop is a nice one. :D
DataJunkie
05-07-07, 07:08 PM
Yup. Strangely enough the further west you go the more fun the hills are. I wonder why? :D
I suppose one could go ride out towards kansas to find a real flat ride. However, the wind is almost incessant due to a lack of windbreaks. I would take hills over wind every day.
I suppose one could go ride out towards kansas to find a real flat ride. However, the wind is almost incessant due to a lack of windbreaks. I would take hills over wind every day.
DnvrFox
05-07-07, 07:46 PM
Go around the Wash Park loop 17 times
He said he wanted FLAT!! :o :D :o
How about the Parker area CC Trail from Cottonwood to Franktown and return? Yes one little bitty hill, and a general increase of about 400 feet, but hardly noticeable.
He said he wanted FLAT!! :o :D :o
How about the Parker area CC Trail from Cottonwood to Franktown and return? Yes one little bitty hill, and a general increase of about 400 feet, but hardly noticeable.
jorpe
05-08-07, 04:15 PM
dont make me get my electric assist bike and whip you all!
gps_dr
05-08-07, 09:58 PM
I dislike going back over the same trail if I can avoid it.
There are a couple loops that are very flat and almost all off street.
They can both start at Confluence park.
I prefer to use City of Cuernavaca Park a mile or S N along the Platte.
They both share the same section of Cherry Cr, but different sections of Platte River trail:
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
Platte River N to Sand Cr
Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
The two can be combined in a double loop with the common Cherry Cr section traveled in different directions at beginning & end of trip.
Going opposite directions along Cherry Cr helps make it feel different.
FYI, Sand Cr was completed behind UPS last December.
They were doing finishing touches on the roof of the replacement section under the tracks on Sand Cr a month or so ago.
There are a couple loops that are very flat and almost all off street.
They can both start at Confluence park.
I prefer to use City of Cuernavaca Park a mile or S N along the Platte.
They both share the same section of Cherry Cr, but different sections of Platte River trail:
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
Platte River N to Sand Cr
Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
The two can be combined in a double loop with the common Cherry Cr section traveled in different directions at beginning & end of trip.
Going opposite directions along Cherry Cr helps make it feel different.
FYI, Sand Cr was completed behind UPS last December.
They were doing finishing touches on the roof of the replacement section under the tracks on Sand Cr a month or so ago.
cyccommute
05-09-07, 08:31 AM
[B]I dislike going back over the same trail if I can avoid it.
There are a couple loops that are very flat and almost all off street.
They can both start at Confluence park.
I prefer to use City of Cuernavaca Park a mile or S N along the Platte.
They both share the same section of Cherry Cr, but different sections of Platte River trail:
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
Platte River N to Sand Cr
Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
Here's (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/11482) a map of that loop. It starts near my house but you could start at Confluence Park. This weekend there may be some problem places along the Platte. But those are easy to avoid.
Another one would be to follow the Highline starting at Eisenhower Park. Go out to Aurora and come back through Toll Gate Park and Cherry Creek State Park
There are a couple loops that are very flat and almost all off street.
They can both start at Confluence park.
I prefer to use City of Cuernavaca Park a mile or S N along the Platte.
They both share the same section of Cherry Cr, but different sections of Platte River trail:
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
Platte River N to Sand Cr
Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
Here's (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/11482) a map of that loop. It starts near my house but you could start at Confluence Park. This weekend there may be some problem places along the Platte. But those are easy to avoid.
Another one would be to follow the Highline starting at Eisenhower Park. Go out to Aurora and come back through Toll Gate Park and Cherry Creek State Park
celticfrost
05-09-07, 11:04 AM
Good thread. I need a couple flat routes as well. Can either of the below routes be done via a skinny tired road bike or would I need some tires w/ more meat?
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
* Platte River N to Sand Cr
* Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
* W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
* Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
* Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
* Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
* C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
* Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
* Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
* Platte River N to Sand Cr
* Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
* W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
* Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
* Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
* Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
* C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
* Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
* Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
cyccommute
05-09-07, 12:16 PM
Good thread. I need a couple flat routes as well. Can either of the below routes be done via a skinny tired road bike or would I need some tires w/ more meat?
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
* Platte River N to Sand Cr
* Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
* W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
* Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
* Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
* Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
* C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
* Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
* Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
Sand Creek is passable for skinny tires but there are sections that are problematic. The worst part would be through old Stapleton where the trail changes from time to time because of construction. You might end up walking a little but it's not going to be too far.
On the West Loop, the Highline from C470 to Hampden is dirt. But it is a good hard packed surface which shouldn't be any problem. The Highline ends abruptly at Hampden and you have to ride about 1/3 of a mile on a very busy road up to Colorado. You turn north on Colorado for about another 1/3 of a mile to Eisenhower Park. From there everything is paved...not great pavement but it is paved.;)
Eastern Loop is 48 miles:
* Platte River N to Sand Cr
* Sand Cr SE to it's end at Colfax
* W on Trail along Colfax .5 Mi
* Follow Highline Canal Trail to Cherry Cr
* Follow Cherry Cr to Platte River
West Loop is 57 miles:
* Platte River SW to C470/Centennial trail
* C470 Trail E to Highline Canal
* Highline Canal E to Cherry Cr
* Cherry Cr trail to Platte River
Sand Creek is passable for skinny tires but there are sections that are problematic. The worst part would be through old Stapleton where the trail changes from time to time because of construction. You might end up walking a little but it's not going to be too far.
On the West Loop, the Highline from C470 to Hampden is dirt. But it is a good hard packed surface which shouldn't be any problem. The Highline ends abruptly at Hampden and you have to ride about 1/3 of a mile on a very busy road up to Colorado. You turn north on Colorado for about another 1/3 of a mile to Eisenhower Park. From there everything is paved...not great pavement but it is paved.;)
superdex
05-09-07, 01:11 PM
My house to Golden and back via cherry creek trail and 32nd is 'fairly' flat, and is in the 50-60mi range depending on how I get to the Cherry Creek Trail (and how many loops around Wash Park). Last week I included Lookout and that brought it up to 67. why flat?
celticfrost
05-10-07, 10:50 AM
Sand Creek is passable for skinny tires but there are sections that are problematic. The worst part would be through old Stapleton where the trail changes from time to time because of construction. You might end up walking a little but it's not going to be too far.
On the West Loop, the Highline from C470 to Hampden is dirt. But it is a good hard packed surface which shouldn't be any problem. The Highline ends abruptly at Hampden and you have to ride about 1/3 of a mile on a very busy road up to Colorado. You turn north on Colorado for about another 1/3 of a mile to Eisenhower Park. From there everything is paved...not great pavement but it is paved.;)
cyccommute, thanks for the info and reply. You are a fountain of front range bicycling knowledge.
On the West Loop, the Highline from C470 to Hampden is dirt. But it is a good hard packed surface which shouldn't be any problem. The Highline ends abruptly at Hampden and you have to ride about 1/3 of a mile on a very busy road up to Colorado. You turn north on Colorado for about another 1/3 of a mile to Eisenhower Park. From there everything is paved...not great pavement but it is paved.;)
cyccommute, thanks for the info and reply. You are a fountain of front range bicycling knowledge.
cyccommute
05-10-07, 12:13 PM
You are a fountain of front range bicycling knowledge.
That's what happens when you get old. You know everything:o ;)
That's what happens when you get old. You know everything:o ;)
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