Good Route From Boulder To Colorado Springs?

[Magnolia_Fan]

Anyone have any ideas on how to get to Colorado Springs from Boulder without getting on the freeway. I'm looking to ride down there next Saturday.

Thanks!

[cyccommute]

Anyone have any ideas on how to get to Colorado Springs from Boulder without getting on the freeway. I'm looking to ride down there next Saturday.

Thanks!

The most direct (and most heavily trafficked) would be Hwy 93 out of Boulder to Golden then to Castle Rock and on down to Co Springs. Are you willing to ride a few miles of sand? If so you can cut through the Air Academy. If not, you will have to wiggle through some of the neighborhoods around Monument

Here's (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1057162) a map assuming that you don't want to ride dirt. I didn't do a lot of detail except in areas where you might have trouble finding the route. Look closely at Golden, around Chatfield, around Sedalia and around the Air Academy. Be aware that CO93 has lots of traffic but if you start early, it may be light. US85 isn't the most pleasant to ride but it's doable. Take appropriate care. And CO83 around the Springs is anything but pleasant but it's a necessary evil.

If you can ride a few miles of dirt trail (mostly hardpack), you can take the Santa Fe Trail out of Monument (actually access it at Baptist Road) across the Academy. If you have 28mm tires or larger, it shouldn't be a problem. Narrower tires probably wouldn't be any fun.

Hope this helps.

[Magnolia_Fan]

Thanks for the help! I think I might try the dirt, my friend live just on the other side of the academy and it would save some serious time.

[cyccommute]

Thanks for the help! I think I might try the dirt, my friend live just on the other side of the academy and it would save some serious time.

It's not too bad. Watch for some soft spots on corners but otherwise the trail is firm. Have fun.

[Magnolia_Fan]

I did the ride, it was hot! Definitely harder going to the springs than coming back. Highway 105 is a gorgeous ride with hardly any traffic and I didn't know that 470 has a bike path all along it, how convenient!