DoubleTap

I'd like to commute occasionally from downtown Lafayette to downtown Denver. I rode it today, but I didn't like the route. I've searched here and on RidewithGPS and haven't had much luck, especially with anything recent.

Does anybody have good route suggestions? Thanks.

randallr

US 36 bikeway, then down to Lowell Blvd until you get to Clear Ck Trail, then E to S Platte trail and S to downtown. Some folks also just continue S on Lowell to 23rd then to downtown.

DoubleTap

Thanks. What about a route from Lafayette to 36? I tried the Coal Creek Trail yesterday, and it takes me a little out of my way. I'm wondering if there is a more direct route.

Also, how is Lowell in rush hour traffic? Bike lane or good shoulders?

randallr

Lafayette to 36 - guess it depends on where you are in Lafayette. I live in Broomfield, when I go to Lafayette lately (Exempla Good Sam hospital dr office) I ride a trail that takes off from just E of Miramont and US 287 and winds straight north paralleling 287 on the E. Gravel, but not too loose. Quite pretty. To get to hwy 36, going S on that trail, I have taken residential streets (like Miramont) down to Nickel St, then across the train tracks and S to the Broomfield Station Park and Ride where I'd start the US 36 bikeway. I use the Flatiron Flyer bus daily to cover the distance from one of the Broomfield bus stops to Union Station downtown. Taking that from Sheridan and 92nd only costs about $2.60. Lowell: I ride Lowell at about 5:40 am the few times I ride it. It's ok going downhill (S) because you can ride at the speed limit of 30 in the narrow section, then further S on the flats you can ride on a parallel sidewalk or on the dirt on the shoulder if you like. I typically just ride the fog stripe and it's ok, but at rush hr I'd probably take it differently.

randallr

Rode this route to work and back today. Came N on Lowell at about 5pm, wasn't bad. Had about a half dozen cars go by me in the narrow part, they moved over a bit for me.