Hi,
I'm a bit further north of you, in Bailey and have had a couple of fun, short trips around the Lake George, Elevenmile, Hartsel, Fairplay area. You don't say if you're hoping to ride from home, but if you were willing to drive to say Woodlands Park you could avoid a long and at times dangerous hill from Manitou Springs.
Alternatively, the area along the Arkansas Valley is gorgeous.
Good luck