Hot Potato

Going to Denver this August for a wedding, and I am thinking about getting in a ride. I would hate to be so close to the hills and not attempt a climb. As a midwestern clyde in my late forties, who struggles on group rides, it would have to be a fairly easy climb. Anything over 10% grade kicks my butt, and 12 to 14% leaves me gasping even at low altitude. There isn't really anything nearby for me to train at climbing moere modest grades for long periods. I would need to rent a bike.

Is this folly? Should I just stare at the mountains from my hotel window instead?

Chandne

Amazing riding here. I live on the west side so close to the foothills. I can probably show you where the stellar climbs are and if we can coordinate timing, I'll follow you up and make sure you don't get a heart attack. How long a ride do you want to do. I can easily (as in, easy access) climb 2,500-3,500 feet just riding near my house, from my house. Google "Ken Caryl" or "Ken Caryl Valley" in Google images and you will get the idea. Deer Creek Canyon and Lookout Mountain are two of the popular climbs around here.

cooleric1234

Lookout Mountain is the standard beginner climbing ride. You don't have to do the loop as pictured if you don't want to. You can just go up to the Buffalo Bill Museum (about 5 miles and 1,600 feet if I remember correctly) then turn around.

Hot Potato

Thanks! That looks good. Any ideas on where to rent a bike? Any advice for riding the route? Traffic issues, time of day, road conditions etc? It may be the local beginner climb, but it will be the biggest thing I have gone up in 20 years. No ego here, I need beginner.

Chandne, that is a most gracious and kind offer. But I doubt you would be following me, unless you gave me an hours head start. The ride should be short enough to do in 4 hours at a very slow pace. I doubt I will get any more time free from family obligations. I also doubt I will survive a longer ride my first time out. It should include some sort of view or milestone so that I can say "hey, I rode there!" and there was something else tangible about the ride besides my sore legs.

Chandne

No worries, I have no need to ride hard all the time. I am just a 40-year-old beginner myself, though I do mountain bike a bit. Four hours is more than enough even at a very slow pace. You would probably need 2-3. Do let me know if you want me to show you around since the Ken Caryl area is very scenic and I enjoy slow rides too. I have actually never ridden Lookout but by the time you get here, I will have. Otherwise, run solo and enjoy the view. I have been to almost every state and a lot of countries and I am still in awe of Colorado. Just let me know if you need a tour/ride guide.

Renting- not sure but will look into it.

Peterson

Hot potato, where are you from?

Bike rentals - look into bicyclevillage.com/ and www.bikesourcedenver.com/bike.shtml, 2 of the larger ~chain stores

If you're gravity challenged and unacclimated to the altitude, you will have a tough time on any of the long climbs unless you are in good shape. Lookout in Golden would be a good place to start. ~4.4 miles/1500 ft climbing. Low traffic, popular ride, nice view of Golden. The record is ~16 min, quicker riders <30 min and beginners < hr. Deer Creek and High Grade are nice but I'd try Lookout first. If it's easy you could go on to Golden Gate park and Wondervu, CO.

If you're just beginning, I'd suggest the rollers from Boulder to Lyons, CO. Great view of the flatirons, popular ride area, and it can be as hard or easy as you like depending on your pace. If you want a very friendly, accommodating group ride checkout Denver Front Range Cycling www.meetup.com/Denver-and-Front-Range-Cycling/. They will have a number of rides during the summer.

Here's a picture from Lookout in Dec. It's a little grey and dreary, rare in CO. Looking the other direction you have Golden and the Coors plant.

Chandne

Good advice. Incidentally, I just joined that meetup group a few days ago.

Hot Potato

I am from Chicago. Forgot I wasn't displaying that.

If your local beginners do the Lookout ride in an hour, I will probably need more. It sounds like the perfect route for someone like me. Plus I can get to and from Denver by car quickly?

My only other cycling and mountain experience was 20 years ago in Yellowstone park. I did it, but got my butt kicked. And that was quite a few pounds, and packs of cigarrettes, ago. I figure the beginner route at lookout will be hard for me, but I can do it. It does give me a reason to push a littler harder this year. In fact, the Yellowstone trip was the last time I rode before picking up the sport again three years ago.

grahny

Denver (Colorado in general) is easy to navigate by car, especially if you're from Chicago... I miss the 75mph speed limits already. Getting to the hills can't be simpler, I-25 to I-70 west takes you right there straight out of Denver (depending on where around Denver you are of course).... bring oxygen. I was just out there last weekend snowboarding and needed a few days to acclimate coming from sea level. Next trip I'm bringing the bike, and an extra lung.