Mountain - Plains - Uninterrupted Century in Denver Area?

I'm thinking of trying to do a sub-4 hour century with some teammates. Does anybody have recommendations for ride routes. The first priority would be the ability to ride for 100 miles with as little stopping as possible. Other priorities include flatness and proximity to the Denver area.

Thanks,
Brian

The century route for the Buffalo Bicycle Classic on sunday was a good one. From Folsom field in boulder out to the top of Horseshoe and back. You could use this page
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106412931864288195098.00000113160577dad3515&z=9&om=1

or this one

http://wordpress.buffalobicycleclassic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/08Route_100.pdf

some climbing around Carter Lake and again getting to the top of Horseshoe, but for this area the ride is considered flat.

Take a look at some of the county roads north of the metro area. Nice and flat with low traffic.
You do need to make sure they are paved. Roads like county road 2, CR 6, etc
Also, if you are in for a loud boring ride the frontage road along I-25 is flat (sort of).

I'm thinking of trying to do a sub-4 hour century with some teammates. Does anybody have recommendations for ride routes. The first priority would be the ability to ride for 100 miles with as little stopping as possible. Other priorities include flatness and proximity to the Denver area.

Thanks,
Brian

Here's a route (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3191425) that fairly flat and with low traffic on most of the route. It can be done either clockwise or counterclockwise. I'd suggest going out on Riverdale towards Brighton, however. It's just more pleasant.

If you want a route with very, very few stops, something involving the Platte River path, C470, Cherry Creek would also work, however I don't know if it's be faster since you'd have to deal with other bicycle traffic. The Platte River, for example, has about 40 miles with only one stop sign.

Time trialling on the Platte is NOT recommended! Speed limit is 15 mph on ALL multi-use paths in Colorado. Plus you'll have to deal with lots of other cyclists, joggers, strollers, skaters, etc.


Stick to the road routes!

Take a look at some of the county roads north of the metro area. Nice and flat with low traffic.
You do need to make sure they are paved. Roads like county road 2, CR 6, etc
Also, if you are in for a loud boring ride the frontage road along I-25 is flat (sort of).

That's where I spend my life :)...nice riding without much traffic, pretty flat, but nice roads.

PS County Road 1 through Longmont is under construction and isn't much fun

Here's a route (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3191425) that fairly flat and with low traffic on most of the route. It can be done either clockwise or counterclockwise. I'd suggest going out on Riverdale towards Brighton, however. It's just more pleasant.

If you want a route with very, very few stops, something involving the Platte River path, C470, Cherry Creek would also work, however I don't know if it's be faster since you'd have to deal with other bicycle traffic. The Platte River, for example, has about 40 miles with only one stop sign.

c470 trail construction starts monday sept 21 plus speed limit on platte is 15 mph
you are planning 25 plus
channel 9 had feature on incrteased speed limit enforcement on bike trails

DO Not use any bike paths!!!

c470 trail construction starts monday sept 21 plus speed limit on platte is 15 mph
you are planning 25 plus
channel 9 had feature on incrteased speed limit enforcement on bike trails

DO Not use any bike paths!!!

Please note that I did say it wouldn't be faster to on the bikeways. However, it would meet his criteria of very few stops.

But let's be realistic. We live in a society that believes that the speed limit is a lower limit:rolleyes: Not one in 1000 drivers will actually drive at the speed limit...even in school zones.

Additionally, with the exception of a very few areas...Platte River around REI, Cherry Creek from Confluence Park to University and from Belleview to C-470 on the Platte River...you can ride bikeways around Denver for hours without seeing more than a handful of other people. Pick the right time of day or day of the week and you'll see even fewer. If you ride north of REI on a Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m., you'll feel like the world has ended.