I ride to Greeley for work from Windsor. Even though the area where I go in Greeley is almost exactly the same elevation as my house, there are still a couple of pretty substantial uphill grades, which, even with the leveling out at some point is still very taxing. I also couldn't imagine doing those sections without lower gearing. The good news is Denver is higher than Greeley by a few hundred feet so you should have mostly downhill sections when it isn't flat.

One thing about US 85, it does have a wide shoulder but there are also some things to think about safety wise:

- People go FAST. Many treat it just like I-25. The speed limit is 65 through most of it, but it is not uncommon for some to go 75 or more.

- Despite the wide shoulder, there is one place I'm thinking it does narrow.....at the bridge for the South Platte. That section is pretty long too.....I would be very careful there.

- The cross traffic. Weld County is reknowned for its accidents because of the unusual angles of the intersecting roads, train tracks, parallel running frontage roads, and weather related issues. People shoot across the highway (85) impatiently where there are no traffic lights. Make sure you anticipate that kind of behavior.

Not trying to deter you.....just don't think because much of it is relatively rural that it's just a leisurely joy ride.