Instead of a century, a bike adventure
 

My old thread on doing a century got resurrected, and it got me to thinking. What I want to do this year is go on a Big Bike Adventure. Not a century, not a tour, but... here's my idea.

I board the westbound Amtrak train in the morning in downtown Denver with my folding bike in my luggage. It's a few scenic, pleasant hours to Granby, a town up in the mountains. In Granby I get off the train and ride 13 miles to the town of Grand Lake, where I get a motel room, sightsee, hang out and rest, because I have to conserve myself to ride ...

Up and over Trail Ridge Road the next day, the roof of the world, through Rocky Mountain National Park. twenty-five miles of up. Then twenty-five miles of down, to the town of Estes Park, where I can stay with a cousin.

Next day, ride down to Boulder, then on to home in Golden. Neat, huh?

Hop on your Friday and ride! I think you'll love it. Do you have the rolling suitcase/trailer system?

"Neat" doesn't even begin to describe it!

For the mathmatically challenged, how many miles is that? (Although I know the total mileage isn't the point at all!)

That sounds like a great trip! I'm sure it would be more fun than another century.

I also did my first century last summer and I just can't get too excited about doing another. Aren't they all alike:D

Sounds like a lot of fun.

And no, they aren't all alike.

I was through that area a few years back. Great scenery. Maybe you're used to it, but that elevation would do me in. I had a hard time catching my breath just walking to the visitor center. Plus it was real cold on top even in July. But I think that would be one awesome ride.

Sounds great. The train from Denver is so cool. I was in Vail, and rode mtn bike from base of Vail, up to the top, and back down. When I got to Vail village, they were just happening to be having Octoberfest - score!!! Regarding oxygen...I've always told people that the reason I acclimate so well to high altitudes is that I live in Jersey, and the amount of available oxygen there is about the same as the available oxygen at 10K feet.:eek:

Go BLUE!

I once rode from what is now Sol Vista (I was there on a retreat) to Grand Lake and back. 40 miles of very nice riding, including the flat.

Here is a picture of the top of Trail Ridge during the June Ride the Rockies in 1998.

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/rrtrlrdg.jpg

OK, here's the mileage: Granby to Grand Lake, 13 miles. Grand Lake to Estes Park, 49 miles (half up, half down). Estes Park to Boulder, depends on route, but say 35-40 mostly downhill miles. Boulder to Golden, 18 miles.

Thanks for the pic, DnvrFox!

You've got to go through Ward and Left Hand Canyon to Boulder.

If you can do it, at elevations of 12K+, then that would be an accomplishment.

I got a little weak in the knees driving over that road, with the steep dropoffs and narrow birms.

I do love the area. I've been there (RMNP & Estes Park) three times in the past two years.

This is really cool HFB...I for one would love to be there, and I know most of the people in here would agree.

And, I notice you haven't totalled the mileage, also very cool...

If you can take a golf club or two with you maybe you could get in a few holes at your destinations and make it an extreme adventure!!

Seriously your idea sounds like a really great trip.

Well, jppe, now that you mention it .... Grand Lake is indeed supposed to have a very nice course I hope to play one day, and if this trip somehow included spouse + car I'd make that happen. But not this time! BWT, I'll be in Palm Springs next week with the sticks (and spouse!)

Wow! Palm Springs should be a great trip!! Great to see you still getting in the cross training on the course and road! I'm trying to swear off golf to spend more time on the road but it's hard to break 40+ years of habits!! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

The "all alike" was in reference to 100 miles :)

A "Blitz Tour"!

I've been having similar thoughts about one or two day light weight trips to local destinations. My wife and I have done Cape Cod before. Maybe up to Concord, NH, or out to western Mass...

Sounds great so when do you do it? I am too far away but feel certain some of the others here might like to join you. Especially if the cousin is Female and unattached, and can put up with some older riders parking overnight in the garage.

That's a great sounding trip!

Sounds like a nice trip. Sometime in the spring, I am packing my wife off to visit her relatives. Instead of just sitting around doing nothing I am going to stay home and do a bike tour of my own. I am hoping about a 4 to 5 days. No schedule, no destination, just get on the bike and ride. I am thinking of heading to Panama... :D

I'd be happy to have company. This trip has to be done when TRR (Trail Ridge Road) is open and clear, which pretty much restricts it to May-September. But that's a pretty wide window. I also want to do the up-and-over on a Thursday or Friday, to keep RV and other traffic somewhat at bay. There's going to be tourist traffic no matter what, but I can try to mitigate it.

I have not picked a date, but I'm thinking possibly June or July for optimum weather. I am not ready to pin down anything, just thinking at this point.

The cousin is older and male and single, but I also have a female friend with a cabin up there.

That sounds like a terrific trip!! I was up that way about 3 years ago in Estes Park & Boulder. Don't know if I am ready for THOSE hills!!