Route help: Idaho Spgs/Hwy 70 to Central City
 

Hey I will be doing a short tour starting tomorrow, looping from Boulder - Estes - Trail Ridge - Berthoud Pass - then back somehow to the front range, and I'm wonding if there is a road that is safe and not too insanely steep to get back up from I70 to Central City, so I can take the Peak To Peak back to boulder.

Anyone know? I have a book that says no bikes on 119 south of central city. What about Central City Pkwy? Virginia Cyn? What's the best way?

thanks in advance.

You can take the Central City Parkway. I rode it about a month ago. It has a great shoulder all the way to Central City. The first 2 miles or so climb at about a 7% grade. After that you ride through rollers for about 5 miles. There is a sign directing bikes off of the Central City Parkway onto a side road about 1 mile before you reach Central City. The side road takes you into Central City. Once you are in Central City follow the signs to Black Hawk. When you reach Black Hawk, turn left and start climbing on the Peak to Peak Highway. The climb out of Black Hawk is about 5-6 miles. The top of the climb is at a turnoff for Golden Gate State Park.

The only tricky part that comes to mind is as you leave Idaho Springs. Traveling east on Colorado Blvd (the main road through town) you cross over I-70 on the east end of town. After crossing over I-70, take the frontage road that branches to the right of the on ramp for I-70. This road is paved for the most part. There is one short section of dirt but it is easily ridable. Follow the frontage road until it crosses back under I-70 and you are at the beginning of the Central City Parkway.

Have a great ride.

Thank you so much, that's just the info I was looking for. :)