Boulder Residents: Cycling between Denver and Boulder?

[bobbyahines]

Attention Denver/Boulder/Surrounding Area Residents:

Scenario: I'm in Longmont with my folding 20" single speed bike from 8/18/07 to 8/20/07. On 8/21/07 I have to be at the Denver International Airport (no luggage, just me and my bike) at 8:00AM. I can make Boulder on the little bike, no problem, but the 42 miles to DIA from there? I don't want to have to leave Boulder at 4am to get there on time.

Question: What is the best way to make this trip (Longmont/Boulder to DIA) considering Price, Time, and the Bike?

Appreciate your advice,
-bobby

[valygrl]

Haven't done this, but check out Skyride from boulder, $10, bike goes on rack in front of bus. I'm sure you can find the schedule & other info here: http://www.rtd-denver.com/

The same site has the 411 on local bus info to get you from Longmont to Boulder, if you don't have time to ride.

[Iowegian]

I would not recommend trying to ride from either Boulder or Longmont to DIA. It might be possible but nearly all the roads into DIA are major freeway style roads and I'm not sure if bikes are even legal. Then there is the chance of getting lost since you can't take the freeway and will be out in the middle of nowhere with few road signs for help.

I would recommend either the RTD bus (Skyride) or just getting a shuttle directly from Longmont. I think all regional RTD busses accept bikes and with a folder you could probably take it on the shuttle busses as well.

I've taken the Skyride and it has a few stops but it will drop you right at the front gate.

[DataJunkie]

The main road into DIA (penia sp? blvd) allows bikes. Though there is a bit of construction on it at the moment. Personally, I would use RTDs skyride service as well.

[cyccommute]

I would not recommend trying to ride from either Boulder or Longmont to DIA. It might be possible but nearly all the roads into DIA are major freeway style roads and I'm not sure if bikes are even legal. Then there is the chance of getting lost since you can't take the freeway and will be out in the middle of nowhere with few road signs for help.

I would recommend either the RTD bus (Skyride) or just getting a shuttle directly from Longmont. I think all regional RTD busses accept bikes and with a folder you could probably take it on the shuttle busses as well.

I've taken the Skyride and it has a few stops but it will drop you right at the front gate.

It's neither dangerous nor illegal to ride your bike to DIA. Pena Blvd is very wide with good shoulders for cycling traffic. The best way to get there from the north would be off Tower Road off either 104th or 96th Aves. Tower Road has been calmed because E-470 is trying to force people onto the toll road. In other words, it has lots of stop signs.

From Louisville (you have to find your own way to there) ride Colorado 7 east to either Riverdale Road (a wonderful ride) or to Brighton. From there head south along Riverdale or Brighton Road (Riverdale is prettier) or you can go further east on Bromley to Picadilly Lane. Picadilly turns into Tower Road.

If you go on Riverdale or Brighton Roads, go south to 104th and then straight over to Tower. Tower Road puts you on Pena Blvd about 3 or 4 miles from the terminal.

If you don't have time to ride, SkyRide is the best bet. They are coach style buses with room for luggage underneath and, I think, racks on the front.

[bobbyahines]

Hey, thanks everybody, I made it in and out of Denver with some good riding and no bike vs. car injuries! Time constraints ended up becoming the most determinate factor in my travel arrangements. I ended up taking the Skyride from DIA to Boulder, and then riding into Longmont, and vice versa on the way out. It worked out fantastic, was easy stress-free travel. My two days in Tulsa in the middle of last week was the monkey wrench of the whole trip. Not because of getting around from the airport, that was no problem; when I got off the plane in Tulsa it was 95F with 85% humidity. It was like putting on a lead vest! I had a good time with my brothers in Tulsa, but was pretty glad to land back in Denver again. I spent the last 3 days in Seattle. That's an okay place for bikes, but not nearly as well designed for it as Denver/Boulder/Longmont...

[Iowegian]

Glad you had a good trip and thanks for the report. Perhaps we crossed paths - Boulder/Longmont is my regular commute.