Mountain - Plains - Dillon to Kremmling? Road Conditions?

I am going to be two weeks out from a half ironman next weekend and need to get a long TT ride in. Momma says we are going up to Dillon for the weekend and since I am blowing off our anniversary for the tri, what Momma wants, Dada does.

Sooooo, is there a nice shoulder on 9 between Dillon and Kremmling? I have driven it and really don't remember, but remember enough to know there is enough 55+ traffic to keep me off it if there is no shoulder.

My option is to bring the roadie and do the 50 mile out and back from SE Lake Dillon up the bike path to Vail Pass.

What would you suggest? It all has to start at SE Lake Dillon and take 3-4 hours tops.

Thank you!

you might want to check out the route map for
www.bluerivercentury.com (http://www.bluerivercentury.com)

Did dillon to kremmling (and steamboat) last year as part of ride the rockies-- my memory is shoulder
is decent until Ute Pass

when is "NEXT" weekend Teva games are June 5-7 I thought they were planning to use vail pass during games

Dillon to Kremmling means you do your whole second half of the ride uphill. Just keep that in mind.

wouldn't suggest dillon to kremmling, dillon to ute pass road is nice, with a big shoulder. After that there is no shoulder then after green mtn res the speed limit is 65. The bike path to vail pass is really nice, go early. Around the lake via mountain rd is a nice loop but only 2hrs. Lots of climbing, but not much flat stuff up there.

That part of 9 is on Adventure Cycling's TransAm route, try asking in the touring forum too.

I seem to remember it being pretty hellish. It was pretty narrow for a while and there was a traffic light in Kremmling that caused the cars to come in waves.... nothing for a while then ten cars fly by and only the first sees you. It was one of the sketchier stretches on the trip.

On a more positive note, there's a bait shop at Heeney Reservoir called "Master Bait & Tackle" Look for the sign on highway 9 as you ride by. It's worth a chuckle.

wouldn't suggest dillon to kremmling, dillon to ute pass road is nice, with a big shoulder. After that there is no shoulder then after green mtn res the speed limit is 65. The bike path to vail pass is really nice, go early. Around the lake via mountain rd is a nice loop but only 2hrs. Lots of climbing, but not much flat stuff up there.

I'll second this ...I live in Dillon. The stretch between the Ute Pass turn-off and Kremmling isn't very bike friendly. Traffic speed is high and the shoulder is just a white line. Lots of cars speed over the limit and there's lots of aggressive passing.

If you want a flat stretch to train that close by then I'd recommend sticking to the roads and paths between Keystone/Dillon/Frisco/Breck ...All of that terrain is rolling or mostly flat.

Thanks all, did the Vail pass ride and then back and up and over Swan Mtn. It was a glorious day Saturday. Really like the new stretch of path on Swan, since it dumps out near my wife's family's mtn house and it is in pristine condition. My wife loved the ride becuase except for the western stretch of Swan we were on bike paths the whole way. Great ride. Kids fed the chipmunks, everyone is happy : )