Mountain - Plains - Denver cycling

I'm going to be visiting Denver during the last week of August for business, and I'm bringing my road bike. I'll be staying at the city center, and I'd like to know of some good during-the-week group rides that some local cycling teams/clubs might be happening. Also, if there's a park or particular course where cyclists tend to gather. Here in Washington, DC, there's a spot (Hains Point) where people show up on a regular basis for unorganized friendly competition - something like that would be perfect to start or finish off my day while in Denver. Please post any ideas, and thanks.

(where's the city center? got an address?) Wednesday night at the Littleton BikeSource http://bikesourceonline.com/ --I've never done the ride, but they blow by me all the time...

Hell if I know - I've never been to Denver. :)
I think its euphemism for "downtown" - I'm staying at the "Marriott City Center," located at 1701 California Street.

ok -- yup, you're downtown. The closest shops to you are Turin Cycles (http://turinbikes.com (303) 837-1857), REI Flagship (though they don't run rides outta there, it is a popular spot), and Salvagetti's (http://www.salvagetti.com/) ... Call Turin and see what they have for shop/club rides. From where you are, you can head towards Wash Park and do laps (lots of 'scenery') or head West to Golden via 32nd ave and climb Lookout Mtn. Both are definitive Denver rides....

yeah thats downtown or LoDo. your easiest option is to head towards the REI mothership store (google it and then get directions from your hotel) and then hop on the Cherry Creek Bike Path or the Platte River Path and just go from their. I dont know if there are organized rides down that way, unless you care to do a denver crusiers bar hop ride or perhaps an alley cat with the bike messengers :-)

Thanks.
An alleycat with the bike messengers, you say?
Hmmm, that could be interesting.

So many rides, so little time.

From downtown, you have 3 choices on bike paths.

1. Ride east on the Cherry Creek bike path to the Cherry Creek State Park/Reservoir. Do the loop and back. Probably 35+ miles RT. Nice ride on good surface.

2. Ride west and then south at REI on the Platte River path. You could go as far as Chatfield State Park/Reservoir. Not sure of the mileage, but probably similar if not longer than #1.

3. Century or there abouts: Ride west to REI, south on Platte River path to C470 path, east on C470 Path. Here's where I'm not totally sure about. Somewhere after I-25, you'll strike north off the path and will eventually find Cherry Creek State Park. Back on the path and downtown.

I do like the idea of Lookout Mountain ride though. Just not a huge fan myself of road riding when there is plenty of path riding. However, driving out to Golden and then doing the LM climb is more palatable.

If you will have a car, a number of the bike shops have group rides one day of the week.

- REI (and most bike shops) has a denver biking map for sale for $5 worth having with you
since your not familiar Denver
- A loop I enjoy 56 miles start at REI go S on Platte W on Bear creek trail to Morrison Rd and C470
N on Rooney Rd and into Golden
then take the Clear creek Trail until it hits the Platte Trail and S on Platte back to REI
- denver bike touring club www.dbtc.org (http://www.dbtc.org) welcomes non members on their rides (helmets required)
start locations vary there are mapquest links to start locations
The August rides will be posted on the web approx July 25.

While the city is decent it really is a shame to spend much time in it when you have the mountains to the west. Of course, this would involve a bus ride from denver to Golden or renting a car. Riding the paths around the metro area is okay but a tad boring. I would try to make the effort to head over and ride a canyon road or lookout mountain. Routeslip has a few decent rides in it. I've only ridden Golden Canyon RD, Peak 2 Peak highway, Coal Creek Canyon, and Lookout. Other more experienced Denver riders will have more suggestions. Once you ride in the mountains it will ruin the metro area IMHO.

Thanks for all the GREAT advice. While I would love to get out of the city to the mountains, my timeframe unfortunately will not allow it. On a recent trip to San Jose, was literally able to go up a mountain (OK, well, not the Rockies of course!) on my lunch break from downtown - that would be awesome in Denver too, eh? Anyhow I appreciate all the good advice - thanks!

here, this 37mi out and back should do the trick. http://www.routeslip.com/routes/53904 -- takes you from downtown to Lookout Mtn and back. The route is very popular and bike friendly....

Wow - thanks Superdex! That looks like a great route!

Thanks.
An alleycat with the bike messengers, you say?
Hmmm, that could be interesting.

http://www.milehighmess.com/

Is that the only website with stuff posted about alleycats? I'm moving to Edwards, but I want to get over to Denver as much as possible and ride the alleycats if I can..

Thanks.
An alleycat with the bike messengers, you say?
Hmmm, that could be interesting.

Definitely interesting. Beating Jaimie will require no small amount of talent, strength, pain, determination and luck.

http://www.falcon.com/node/324

Superdex...routslip wouldn't load. Any known probs there?

J

For what it's worth, I did that route on Thursday afternoon. Very nice! Not so difficult that it broke my legs, but good enough to get the heart pumping - and some nice views too. Headed back by way of Clear Creek Trail, then Platte River trail - interesting trying to make sense of it all, but made it back to the hotel all in one piece and just in time to see a bunch of protesters. All in all, a good end to an otherwise mundane business trip.