Denver Day Trips?

[Number84]

Hey gang, I'll be in Denver Mid May for a few days and was planning on renting a scoot and making some day trips out of Denver, could also do an overnight. I ride a Wee Strom and was going to rent one out there. (all my farkles will fit the rental) Also, I have a Garmin 276C. Thanks for any help you might slide my way.

[ikonoklass]

1. Ride south on I-25 to Colorado Springs and take 24 west. Take that to Woodland Park, then grab route 67 to Deckers. Then follow the signs from Deckers to route 285. North takes you back to Denver.

2. Take 70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Get off the highway at the Arapahoe Basin exit. Ride past the ski area over Loveland Pass, back to I-70. On the way back to Denver, take the Idaho Springs exit that leads to route 103. Take that over Squaw Pass and follow the road to Evergreen back to Denver.

3. Take route 6 out of Denver to Golden. Stay on 6 through Clear Creek Canyon through Black Hawk and take the Peak-to-Peak Highway to Estes Park. If Trail Ridge Road is open though Rocky Mountain National Park, take it. Otherwise, ride 36 back to Denver.

These are all about 4 to 6 hours long.

[eakins]

ride to the top of mtn evans or pikes peak (if either are open) highest roads in the country. evans is paved, pikes is paved/easy dirt

[Number84]

Thanks guys. Been to pikes peak, might try to do that one at least part way up. Last time it was all I could do to keep the Town Car on the road! There is a little elevation change between Central Florida and "The Peak" !

The day routes are great, thanks again. I will definetly plug those into the GPS. Keep 'em coming. Wife will be at a conference, so I need to keep myself busy.

Has anyone used Cycle Tours in Denver? Any feedback will be much appreciated.

[Hakatan]

I'd suggest hitting the Shelf Road & Phantom Creek Road loop between Cripple Creek and Florence / Canon City! Part of the "Gold Belt Tour". Great scenery, cool history, and gambling in Cripple Creek -- if that's your thing. What more could you ask for in a daytrip?




As for routing...I'd take:

• I-25 South to Colorado Springs to
• 115 south to
• 50 west to
• Phantom Canyon Rd (north) to Victor to Cripple Creek to
• Shelf Rd. (south) to Canon City to
• Route 9 north to
• US285 to Denver.

Might be a long day, but after that ride...we'll add you to the list of people who want to move out here

That'd be pretty good for a May visit. As you probably know, the higher-elevation stuff won't open for another couple of months...

be sure to follow those hyperlinks above for lots more information

[Edit]: Here's a .gpx file for you to play with. Its a 319 mile loop that follows my suggestion above, but skips Shelf Road and the southern half of Route 9. It would still give you a great taste of Colorado in May....

[Sparkdaddy]

From Denver go north, either on back roads or if you must, go I-25 to Fort Collins and take 14 West (Poudre= twisty canyon) over the divide and in to Walden (watch out for mooses.
Lots of choices. Hell, anywhere west of Denver is good.

[Hakatan]

Originally Posted by SPARKDADDY

From Denver go north, either on back roads or if you must, go I-25 to Fort Collins and take 14 West (Poudre= twisty canyon) over the divide and in to Walden (watch out for mooses.

That's a damn fine ride, too!

This was the Poudre on March 18th:

[TomSS]

Hey gang. I noted reference to CO 9. I'm interested in CO 9 from Steamboat to Canon City in August. I noted a reference to daytripping from Denver. I'm a , two up on a planned trip and we'll be using CO 9 on day 27-28 enroute home. We're coming into CO from Vernal and exiting through Pueblo/Lamar.
TomS

[Number84]

Guys, thanks alot for all of the input. I'm busy plugging all of the recomendations into my GPS as I write this. I really appreciate all of the feedback.

Anybody coming to Leesburg, Fl's Bikefest next weekend, 27-29th, give me a shout. Leesburgbikefest.com

[spicychili]

Here is one that I just put together.

350 miles. 11 mountain passes, some paved, some dirt

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,2.900391&om=1

I can post the GPX file as well if needed.

Several great places to stop and eat along the way as well.

[ikonoklass]

Damn. That would take a huge bite out of a Pass Bagger 50.

[spicychili]

All of the rides that I am doing this summer will run across at least one pass. I have 168 passes in a GPX file and I mark the ones that I have already done.

I also have all the passes set up in my zumo with 5 mile proximity alert. I figure if I am heading down the road and it says there is a mountain pass with in five miles I should just take it.

[spicychili]

Here is a link of most of the mountain passes in colorado. I just created this out of the GPX file.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...3&om=1&iwloc=A

not sure which ones were dropped out. Google Maps can only handle files so large.

[ikonoklass]

Originally Posted by spicychili

Here is a link of most of the mountain passes in colorado. I just created this out of the GPX file.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...3&om=1&iwloc=A

not sure which ones were dropped out. Google Maps can only handle files so large.

Dood, that is AWESOME! That gives me lots to do this summer!

[spicychili]

Less Traveled and I usually take a trip about every weekend. You are welcome to join us when we go. I usually post the planned route and ask is anyone wants to join.

I ride a 1200gs and Less Traveled rides either his 1200gsa or his Honda Transalp.

Probably still start riding this season in the middle to late may.