I don't think it will matter b/c you will lose your acclimatization when you return to NYC. It would be more of a shakedown cruise for your rig and a test for you to see how you crank at altitude. If I was riding CO on a long w/e, I would fly out to DIA, take the train into Union Station (plenty of room on the train for luggage), pick up the Black Hills Stage which has recently been bought by Express Arrow Buslines (Express Arrow |) and get off at Buena Vista, about 2 hours west of Denver. It drops you off at the VFW and you can un-box and assemble your bike in the parking lot. The folks that run the V are super nice and will probably let you leave your bike box there but call ahead and work that out. Then a nice loop in BV would be to crank up Cottonwood Pass, down to Taylor Res, then up TinCup/Hancock Pass and down thru StElmo to Mt Princton hot springs for a soak and back to BV. Mapquest or google earth this route. BV is at 8,000 and I think Cottonwood is about 12,000, so not as high as Peru but it will be a good training trip. I would do it in the fall, say 2nd week of Sept when the aspens are turning. It is *very* beautiful and you can do it in a long w/e but once you get in the back country, you will want to spend more time exploring. If you do this route in the summer, you have to be careful if it is monsooning. Mornings will be clear but rain and esp lightening becomes a problem in the afternoon so take care and plan accordingly.

The Sacred Valley loop I suggested is all asphalt. They have been paving Peru which is really bumming me out but that's progress I guess. There are lots of nice single tracks around Cuzco. You can ST from Cuzco to Pisac but you have to know the route so ask around town when you get there. Also google Moray Moras salt pans. It's a nice single track and you are pedalling right by it on the loop but I sure would NOT want to do it with a loaded bike-kinda technical in parts but you could walk those bits.

And yes MP is definitely worth the trip. For the full experience, it's best to reach it by the Inca Trail but you won't have time so just arrange a tour.

You are going to have a great time.