Mountain - Plains - First road ride in Denver!

I'm still glowing from my first road ride since I moved to Denver.

It was amazing. Everything from the ease of trail access, terrain, and the people on the trails really made for a pleasant experience.

I didn't really know where to go, so I decided to take the D-15 route down to the Cherry Creek Trail and ride that to the Reservoir. I hopped off the trail a few times to get on the road because I thought I was going too fast for the MUP (even though there were people whizzing by in a three or four deep paceline on the MUP, but I didn't want to be that guy).

All in all I only did about 20 miles because of various excuses (late start and I am new to the elevation), but I can't wait to do more.

So, any recommendations for good out from the city road rides? I live/started at Colorado and Colfax basically.

Cheers!

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs147.snc1/5460_619038988998_25703806_34935739_7580058_n.jpg

I did that ride today too, but went around the reservoir. I love to treat the roads in the park like a time trial and just haul. I was supposed to be in the mountains today, but am now heading up tomorrow for two weeks...

Anyway, try going down St. Paul and then out Dartmouth to the Platte River trail. From there, take it down to Cheeseman reservoir. If you are up for it, cut up the road for the Audobon Society and hook into Deer Creek Canyon and up High Grade Road.

When I am back from vacation, I will be glad to show you some routes.

P.S. you are no longer "Actually in Detroit."

Some of us should show you around. However, next Saturday I am replacing a fence post. We should figure out something eventually.

I did that ride today too, but went around the reservoir. I love to treat the roads in the park like a time trial and just haul. I was supposed to be in the mountains today, but am now heading up tomorrow for two weeks...

Anyway, try going down St. Paul and then out Dartmouth to the Platte River trail. From there, take it down to Cheeseman reservoir. If you are up for it, cut up the road for the Audobon Society and hook into Deer Creek Canyon and up High Grade Road.

When I am back from vacation, I will be glad to show you some routes.

P.S. you are no longer "Actually in Detroit."

Awesome. I did the ride on Saturday, so I wouldn't have seen you today.

I have a bikeroute map of the city so I'll check out the St.Paul to Platte River trail route for my next ride. Since I've been in the process of moving or unpacking for the last month or so, my legs are gone. I'll work them back up eventually, so hopefully these rides will help.

Thanks for the heads up on the Detroit thing too! I guess I'm not anymore :sniffle: hah.

That's Chatfield Reservoir, not Cheeseman Reservoir

Good catch. The ride to Cheeseman is great too, but a little different in difficulty.

Good catch. The ride to Cheeseman is great too, but a little different in difficulty.

I've never riddent to Cheeseman, but I would guess that it would be quite different!

So, any recommendations for good out from the city road rides? I live/started at Colorado and Colfax basically.


I don't mean to be a jerk with this comment but don't give up on the MUP's just yet- I personally really enjoy the Clear Creek Trail (MUP) if you catch it from the N. Platte River Trail (MUP). I find myself using roads and paths pretty equally when out having fun.

Oh forgot to mention that taking that path takes you to Golden which can be a really enjoyable ride.

Then there is me who can't stand Clear Creek. It is a dilapidated trail through crappy parts of town. Taking 26th to 32nd is much better.

So, any recommendations for good out from the city road rides? I live/started at Colorado and Colfax basically.

Cheers!


head the other way on the Cherry Creek trail to downtown, then 23rd to Sloan Lake, then up to 32nd, then west on 32nd until you hit Golden. A left and a right and you're climbing Lookout....

head the other way on the Cherry Creek trail to downtown, then 23rd to Sloan Lake, then up to 32nd, then west on 32nd until you hit Golden. A left and a right and you're climbing Lookout....

Tell me more about this route- now I am really interested!

Tell me more about this route- now I am really interested!

Once you get to REI via the Cherry Creek MUP, follow this:

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/co/denver/269125092015465684

It is a very well used route with quite a few cyclists. Just be careful around Coors on 32nd.

As long as you follow the mapmyride directions from above you should avoid Coors/32 traffic. You'll see some as you go under I 70 on 32nd. Once you're in Golden, you have to stop at the shop in town (Big Ring Cycles I think??) to check out all the high end bikes they have sitting around, fun to look at. Go right when you get to the light just past the brewery and it'll be two blocks or so up on your left. Great ride though.

I did that ride the other day, are there any off road paved paths? I saw what looked like some at a few spots along 32nd???

The Colorado Railroad Museum is out there in Golden, also, not far off the route. Great place if you're at all interested in Colorado railroad history.

If you mean out to Golden, yes. The Clear Creek Trail goes from the Platte River Trail (nee Front Range Trail, nee Mary Carter Greenway - too many names) through Denver, Wheat Ridge,, etc., all the way to Golden, going past Coors along the way.

Many do not like this trail, as it is getting a bit old, and does go through some less pretty areas.

I used to ride portions of it regularly when I taught in Westminster, right near the trail. I would do 20 miles after work almost daily.

There is a park near Pecos where a number of homosexual relationship were consummated - so-to-speak. Every now and then the Sheriff clears it out.

But, all-in-all, I enjoyed the trail. The Ralston Creek Trail (VERY SLOW, crosses many streets, etc.) takes off from the CCT, along with the Big (or is it Little) Dry Creek Trail.