yarb

Can anyone suggest a quick and relatively safe/stress-free route from Colorado Springs to Denver? I've googled around and pored over the maps and it seems like the best option is 105 to Sedalia (I'm OK from there). But if I come into the Springs on 24 from Woodland Park, what's the best way to get from there to 105/Monument? I understand the New Santa Fe Trail is gravel - how road bike friendly is it, especially after the recent rain? Or is there a better way?

I'm comfortable riding on busy roads but I like a decent shoulder.

Would really appreciate any experience you can offer. Thanks.

EricL

I would suggest Academy (21 then 83) out of Colorado Springs. You can head west on 105 through Monument from there or keep on 83 all the way into Parker then Denver.
You mention Woodland Park so maybe going all the way to Academy isn't what you had in mind. If you do, 30th-Centennial-Vindicator-Woodmen would be a good route
from Hwy 24 on the west side of the Springs. You don't mention what part of Denver you're heading to. I don't know of a good way to stay west. I have ridden between Woodland Park and Deckers on 67, but never have done it all the way to hwy 285. Probably wouldn't suggest that anyway.

Breathegood

Hopefully, this post isn't too late for your trip. While 67/105 through Deckers and Sedalia is a really nice ride, I really wouldn't recommend the route just because the stretch from Sedalia to 470 on 85 (Santa Fe Dr.) is a terribly unfriendly stretch of road to ride on. It may be miles out the way from the Woodland Park area, but Highway 83 (Academy Blvd.) is really the better route. If coming from the south, you can catch the Cherry Creek trail in Franktown, follow it to the 470 trail and use that to head west. If you are brave enough to tackle 85 between Sedalia and 470, 83 is still the best bet out of the Springs to connect with 105 and stay on paved roads. You will be east of Monument, and enjoy a nice ride through Palmer Lake and Perry Park....but again, you really need to be on your game to ride 85 between Sedalia and 470. Even if you cut over to Chatfield at Titan road, it's a pretty high stress ride.

crashmo

I can't imagine trying to ride along the shoulder on 85/Santa Fe. That road's a wild ride in a car, with all the crazed commuters from Castle Rock.

Looking at 83, it goes all the way from CS to Parker and on in to Denver (Leetsdale?). Wonder if anyone's ridden that all the way without cutting over at 105?

nobodyhere

For the record, the Old Santa Fe Trail is NOT friendly to road bikes and barely friendly to mtn bikes in the Greenland area.

yarb

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like there just isn't the perfect route, but you've given me a better idea of the options.

Thanks! Yes, 30th-Centennial-Vindicator-Woodmen is just what I was looking for. Plan is to come down from Denver, through Deckers to Woodland and back up through the Springs for a loop.

Yeah, I do want to avoid riding on 85. If I can get to Sedalia then I'd probably turn right on 85 then onto Daniels Pk. Have done that stretch before and it's a bit scary but at least short. So 83 is good to ride then? I heard there were narrow shoulders and a ton of truck traffic on that?

Yeah, that's my question too!

Thanks for that, definitely worth knowing.