jimbud

Anybody out there have any suggestions for a nice area to do some road biking in the Rockies west of Denver? We are just looking for a spot thats not all killer climbs, Just a area we can spend 3 or 4 days riding and enjoying the scenery. I always thought the area east of Aspen would be a nice area to ride. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Shifty

Summit County would be nice, there are off road bike trails that run from Breckenridge to Vail, and also nice roads to ride. Plus there are lot's of other activities there in the summer, and some really great eats.

Also think about Steamboat Springs, nice lodging, excellent road rides (like Gore Pass or Rabbit Ears Pass), hot springs, and hiking. You'd be happy with either place, if I were rating between the two, I'd go for Steamboat.

jimbud

Wow, The Brekenridge area sound like a great spot. I was in Vail once but it's been ten years. It sounds like there is a paved trail from Copper Mt. to Vail that would be a great ride.

Shifty

Right, the paved trail starts in Breckenridge and goes to Copper, then Vail. Last time I rode it we rode from Breck to Vail, spent the night, rode back the next day, it was fine!!

tebeguache

Gunnison

rkymthiker

Summit county is a nice area to ride. That trail also splits and goes over to Dillon and towards Keystone.

billwatson58

Last year I rode from Gunnison to Creede over Slumgullion Pass - it was extremely challenging for a flatlander like me. I've also ridden Trail Ridge through Estes Park, Rabbit Ears near Steamboat, and last month Cottonwood Pass near Buena Vista. They are all great. Riding in Colorado is a special treat for a midwesterner. Wherever you end up, I'm sure you'll enjoy!

jimbud

Lots of great ideas, my main concern was trying to find a area where we won't have to do massive climbs as I also have midwestern lungs. Never been to Estes Park but it looks incredible

DXchulo

I have a Colorado bike question, so what the heck:

Would it be feasible to ride across most of Colorado (from Grand Junction, perhaps) on US 50? Is there any shoulder? Is there lots of traffic? Any towns to avoid (Pueblo looks like a candidate)?

Shifty

I'm going to defer to my Colorado brothers and sisters on this one because they will have current road information.
I have ridden Rt 50 from Montrose to Pueblo, and for the most part it was fine, there were some stretches between Montrose and Monarch Pass where the shoulder was very thin, and the traffic volume was pretty heavy. That was 17 years ago, may have improved. If it's the same, pick your time to ride this section to avoid afternoon traffic. I can't think of any towns to avoid, Pueblo is actually quite nice, on the west side of town there is a big lake, Pueblo Res., from the dam there is an off road paved bike path which follows the Arkansas River in to downtown Pueblo. There are a couple little family italian resturants where you can fill the tank for cheap, and it's great food. The only real reason to avoid Pueblo is if you are going up to Colorado Springs on highway 115.

Shut up & ride

These resources might help you:

Web site - https://www.coloradobicyclerides.com

Book - Road Biking Colorado

tinrobot

Summit county is good but better get going soon... the weather is going to get awfully cold up there.

Last time I was in Aspen, we drove up to Independance Pass and saw a few brave souls going up on bikes. I think it's something like 12,000 feet, and the highest road in North America.

oujeep1

summitt county is great, you can do a lung and leg busting climb if you want but don't have to- the bike trail around lake dillon, which goes to keystone, also to frisco, breck, copper and vail is nice- be aware that going from frisco-copper-vail pass-vail is easier going west, if you ride down into vail and then turn around and ride back, the going back is harder. ride up to montezuma from keystone is a little more challenging- course if you want a real challenge keep going up hwy 6 to loveland pass(aka the continental divide). two words of warning- take it easy the first few days at altitude, and if you are going in the summer as i assume, beware of frequent afternoon thunderstorms- there is a reason colorado leads the nation in lightning strikes.

jimbud

Wow, Lots of great ideas. I think we will have to stay away from Loveland Pass or the Mt. Evens climb. Do you see more riders with triples or are double chainrings the norm in these areas?

snowy

Ride in Glenwood Springs Area too. Beautiful and not a lot of climbing PROMISE!!! This is one of my favorite spots.
In Colorado more riders with TRIPLES!!!

jimbud

Yes, That trail that runs along the river looks great. The one time I was in Glenwood Springs the trail was being used mostly by kayakers walking back up river to their cars..