Tour de Colorado: Road Cycling

Anna Stonehouse

Different parts of Colorado emerge from winter at different times, but as long as you wrap up a little bit there is road cycling to be had year round. Spring, however, signals the start of the great thaw and from March on more and more road cycling routes open up every week across West of 105.

Last year, the Colorado Tourism Organization divided the state up into eight new regions, so we took the five that are West of 105 and found three road cycling routes for each one. Based on average ride time, routes go from short and sweet to full day slogs

Scott Larson

THE GREAT WEST

Defined by ranchland, green hills, mountains and dramatic canyons, the Great West region stretches across the northwestern part of the state and offers a glimpse of Colorado as it was when frontiersmen were heading west.

SHORT Craig to Maybell: A relatively easy and flat ride along Hwy 40, the route between Craig and Maybell passes pastoral scenery and bucolic views of northwest Colorado and crosses the Yampa River close to Maybell. Spring rides offer verdant landscapes and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a deer or antelope. The annual ‘Where the Hell is Maybell’ ride follows the same course and will take place this May. In its 33rd year, the ride attracts riders of all abilities and ages.

Other suggestions: Winter Park to Berthoud Pass Summit; Kremmling to Hot Sulphur Springs; Steamboat Springs to Oak Creek.

HALF DAY Dinosaur National Monument: Ride along the paved Harper’s Corner Road which usually reopens in April for a scenic 32-mile ride that leads to the heart of Dinosaur National Monument’s canyon country. Several overlooks provide sweeping views of Green and Yampa River canyons. If you swap out your road bike for a gravel grinder there are two trails along the road which lead to the canyon rim and offer a closer look at the Green River more than 2,000 feet below in ragged Split Mountain Gorge.

Other suggestions: Grand Lake to Rocky Mountain National Park; Meeker to Rangley; Steamboat Springs to Steamboat Lake State Park.

FULL DAY Steamboat Springs to Kremmling: Steamboat to Kremmling via Yampa, turning onto CO Hwy 134 at Toponas is around 72 miles and should take around seven hours. The first stage from Steamboat to the quaint town of Oak Creek will see you gain almost 1,000 feet in elevation over 20 miles. Refuel here and saddle up again to continue your journey south to Yampa (a tiny but cute town). At Toponas you’ll head east towards Kremmling.

Other suggestions: Through Canyon Pintado; Estes Park to Granby; Fruita to Rangely.

Denise Chambers / Miles

MOUNTAINS AND MESAS

Stretching from Grand Junction all the way down to Cortez and across to Pagosa Springs, the Mountains and Mesas region is where Colorado’s wine country, farm and art communities and Victorian-era mining towns meet otherworldly geography and ancient cultures.

SHORT The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Located just outside of Montrose, the Black Canyon is one of the gems of the Western Slope, and there is no better place to get your legs back into summer shape than by cycling from the intersection of Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347 to the national park entrance station, with nearly 2,000 vertical feet gained in just five and a half miles. There are some undulating hills once you enter the park but the views of the canyon along Rim Drive Rd (which usually opens again in April) will distract you. If you’re not up for the climb, park at the visitor’s center and ride the six or so miles along Rim Drive Rd to the start of the Warner Point Nature Trail.

Other suggestions: Telluride to Mountain Village; around Palisade and Paonia wine regions; Animas River Trail in Durango.

HALF DAY The National Monument Loop: An amazing ride through one of the state’s most amazing backdrops, this 33-mile loop is a circuit that will take you on a steep climb of about 2,300 vertical feet from the get go. After you do the majority of work, however, the relatively flat Rim Rock Drive is 23 miles of stunning views where you’ll most likely see some wildlife, including bighorn sheep, just lounging on the side of the road. This is an ideal spring ride as the area is sweltering in the summer months. The ride is about three hours but with a short detour it can be combined with the Colorado Riverfront Trail system to make it a full day ride.

Other suggestions: Gateway to Naturita via the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway; Ridgway State Park to Telluride via the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway; Paonia to Crawford Lake and back.

FULL DAY Durango to Ouray: One of the most stunning rides in the state takes you over three mountain passes - Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain - while gaining at least 7,500 feet in elevation over the 71 miles. You’ll end your ride on the infamous

Million Dollar Highway, allegedly named so because of the gold that was in the dirt that was used to backfill the road or the cost to build it. The views of the surrounding peaks and sheer drop offs (with no guardrail so ride conservatively) will take your breath away. For a full day ride we recommend starting in Durango and ending in Ouray, which will safely put you on the inside of the pass as you descend into Ouray. You will likely have to wait until late spring to tackle this monster.

Other suggestions: Crested Butte to Buena Vista via Cottonwood Pass (this summer the pass will have new pavement); Palisade to Cedaredge via Grand Mesa Scenic Byway; Paonia to Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Christoph Stooka

PIKES PEAK WONDERS

This area is more rugged than some of the others but the towns are intriguing, the outdoor recreation opportunities incredible and the scenery stunning. The Pikes Peak Wonders region offers a very different, but equally amazing, Colorado experience.

SHORT Buena Vista to Salida: A short ride of just 25 miles, this route is perfect for a few hours of gentle spinning. For a slightly more challenging ride, go from Salida to BV where you’ll gain almost 1,000 feet and earn that post-ride beer. Browns Canyon National Monument (only designated in February 2015) and Mount Princeton Hot Springs are en route via a slight detour.

Other Suggestions: Twin Lakes to Hwy 24 out and back; Poncha Springs to Monarch Pass and back; Florence to Cañon City and back.

HALF DAY Woodland Park to Cañon City: Just over 50 miles, this ride is pretty evenly divided into a climb of around 3,500 feet, which takes you to Cripple Creek, and then a massive descent of around 6,000 feet which takes you all the way to Cañon City. En route, you’ll pass through Mueller State Park and, briefly, sneak into Pike and San Isabel National Forests. If you really want a challenge, try the other direction when that lovely descent becomes a less lovely ascent.

Other Suggestions: Westcliffe to Florence via Cañon City; Nathrop to Twin Lakes; Cotopaxi to Cañon City via Skyline Drive.

FULL DAY Salida to Bishop Castle: This day-long ride is just shy of 80 miles and will take around eight hours with an overall elevation gain of just over 3,000 feet. The first part of the ride, from Salida to Westcliffe, is part of the Adventure Cycling Association’s Western Express (a route that starts in San Francisco and ends in Pueblo, Colorado). Starting with a gentle downhill section out of Salida on Hwy 50 until you reach Cotopaxi, you turn on to Co Rd 1A and head towards Westcliffe, passing through the hamlet of Hillside. At Westcliffe you join the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway (one of Colorado’s 11 America’s Byways, of which there are only 150 in the nation) and continue on Greenhorn Highway where you will end up at one of Colorado’s most interesting roadside attractions: Bishop Castle.

Other Suggestions: Cripple Creek to Silver Cliff; Cañon City to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort; Deckers to Hartsel.

Visit Breckenridge / Liam Doran

ROCKIES PLAYGROUND

True to its name, this area is a year-round playground. From the country’s best ski resorts, picturesque mountain towns, an abundance of history and a good amount of quirkiness, the Rockies Playground region is quintessential Colorado.

SHORT The Rio Grande Trail from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs (or vice versa): Built within the former rail corridor of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, the Rio Grande Trail is asphalt with some sections of concrete and compacted gravel. Open to those on foot, horseback and those using humanpowered equipment, the ride between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs is 12.2 miles. Glenwood Springs to Carbondale is slightly uphill. The Roaring Fork Transport Authority has bicycle racks on its valley fleet. There is a $2.00 per bike user fee.

Other Suggestions: Breckenridge to the summit of Hoosier Pass; Red Cliff to Minturn (great views of the imposing Red Cliff Bridge and a good sample of the beauty you’ll see while riding the Copper Triangle - see below); Fairplay to Como.

HALF DAY Redstone to Aspen: With the beautiful Mt Sopris on your right as you make your way towards Carbondale to meet up with the Rio Grande Trail before continuing on to Aspen, this ride is almost 45 miles with the ride to Carbondale being slightly downhill before heading uphill towards Aspen. If you do this in late spring, consider adding a ride over Independence

FULL DAY Copper Triangle: A Colorado classic, the Copper Triangle is a 79-mile ride that climbs over 6,000 feet. The route is popular in fall thanks to the changing aspens and is offered as an organized ride in August. Nice and challenging, it will certainly blow those winter cobwebs away. Traditionally the ride starts (and finishes) at Copper Mountain Resort, heads south on CO Hwy 91 over Fremont Pass before eventually descending through the valley to the north end of Leadville. You’ll then turn northwest on Hwy 24 before climbing Tennessee Pass and Battle Mountain before descending down to the town of Minturn. The last stretch sees you jump on the path that follows I-70 through Vail, over Vail Pass and back to Copper Mountain Resort.

Other Suggestions: Basalt to Leadville; Breckenridge to Leadville and back (just shy of 100 miles but if you want to make it a century, do a lap around Turquoise Lake after Leadville before the return journey); as many laps of Stage 2 of the 2017 Colorado Classic as you can manage - start with Moonstone Climb, followed by a descent down Illinois Gulch. The start and finish line will be on Main St. at the intersection of Washington St. The circuit is 6.4 miles long.

Rick Dunnahoo

MYSTIC SAN LUIS VALLEY

The Mystic San Luis Valley region is Colorado’s most spiritual and arguably the most historic area of the state thanks to the legacy of Native Americans and Hispanic and European settlers and explorers. Expansive yet bordered by majestic mountains, the area also includes the incredible Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

SHORT Saguache to Villa Grove: This short, flat cruise starts in the small town of Saguache, a quaint town founded by Otto Mears (the same industrialist who built the Million Dollar Highway) in 1867, and the place where alleged cannibal Alferd Packer was jailed, as you can learn about in the small but well-curated history museum). Set off after exploring and head towards Villa Grove on Hwy 285. If you would rather stop before the end, Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa is a great place to unwind and relax. (Read more about Joyful Journey in our winter issue).

Other Suggestions: Monte Vista to Del Norte; Crestone to Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa; South Fork to Creede.

HALF DAY La Veta to Stonewall: This ride may only be 30 miles but it will likely take around four hours. Following a portion of the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway, this route takes you up and over Cucharas Pass where the majority of your climbing

for the day will take place (around 3,000 vertical feet). On your way down the pass, you’ll see the Stonewall, a 50-mile long outcrop of Dakota sandstone that runs along the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Colorado into New Mexico, before arriving in the little town of Stonewall. To the east of Cucharas Pass, you’ll see the Spanish Peaks. Called huajatolla, meaning “breasts of the Earth”, by the Ute Indians, the Tarahumare Indians believed that all life on earth originated from this area.

Other Suggestions: Creede to Monte Vista; San Luis to Jack Dempsey’s birthplace in Manassa; Antonito to Del Norte (you’ll pass through Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge where the sandhill crane migration takes place this March).

FULL DAY Creede to Crestone: This 90-mile ride will see you lose almost 1,000 feet of elevation as you leave Creede and follow the Rio Grande River. Head towards Del Norte on CO Hwy 149 before turning on to Hwy 160 at Gerrard. You turn on to CO Hwy 112 at Del Norte, after which the road flattens out, then on to CO Hwy 17 at Hooper. Continue north past the UFO Watchtower and take your final turn just before Moffat. The final 13 miles into Crestone is slightly uphill.

Other Suggestions: Alamosa to Creede; La Veta to Antonito; South Fork to Fort Garland via Hooper.

INSIDER TIPS: RENEE WHEELOCK

My first time in Colorado was on a bicycle, riding from North Carolina to San Diego during the summer of 2008 with a nonprofit called Bike & Build. After the ride I moved to Colorado and soon took on an internship with Ride The Rockies (RTR) and Pedal The Plains in Denver. That internship turned in to six glorious years, where I eventually became RTR Tour Director. The job provided me with a ‘Grand Tour’ of Colorado over the years. From the mountains to the plains, I have had the great fortune of experiencing many of Colorado’s roads, mountains and communities, in the most intimate way possible, from the seat of a bicycle, powered by my own two legs.

Wheelock lists five of her favorite rides West of 105, in no particular order:

Hotchkiss to Gunnison | 79 miles Highlights: North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Curecanti National Recreation Area. You’ll want to pull over the whole time you’re on the canyon rim for photos, and then when you come out of that the water of Blue Mesa looks like glass reflecting the pretty scenery.

Grand Junction Loop with Fruita | 62 miles Highlights: Colorado National Monument, farms and country roads through Fruita. I’ve done this ride a few times and I still can’t help but stop and take photographs of the scenery on the ascent into the monument. Once you get to the top you have views of Grand Mesa and the Bookcliffs and an amazing high desert landscape.

Salida to Cañon City via Westcliffe | 93 miles Highlights: Hard Scrabble Pass, Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. I stumbled across this gem in 2013 when RTR had to do a reroute due to a fire. The views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are stunning; the town of Westcliffe is worth a visit regardless.

Durango to Ouray | 73 miles Highlights: Coal Bank Pass, Molas Pass, Red Mountain Pass. This ride holds a special place in my heart, as I first rode over Red Mountain on the Bike & Build ride. The hype that the group made for this ride did not disappoint, so in 2017 as Tour Director for RTR I took the tour on this route. It gives an amazing sense of accomplishment and incredible views the whole time.

Copper Mountain Loop | 79 miles Highlights: Fremont Pass, Tennessee Pass, Vail Pass. It’s a great, scenic ride, but also one of my favorites because I was able to ride it with thousands of other cyclists as a participant in the Copper Triangle. There’s something special and unifying about that. Everyone is so happy and excited to be outside in the elements riding in the company of strangers. You feel like a kid again.

RIDES & RACES

Pencil in these scenic rides for the upcoming cycling season

Where the Hell is Maybell? May 4 The 32nd edition of this thirty-mile ride through Moffat County starts in Craig and ends in, you guessed it, Maybell. And this ride is one of the few free ones.

Ride for the Pass, May 18 The recreational ride and road race up Hwy 82 toward Independence Pass allows riders to enjoy this beautiful Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway before it opens to cars for the season.

Ride the Rockies, June 9-16 The 34th edition of Colorado’s landmark multi-day ride take riders from Crested Butte to Mount Crested Butte via Gunnison, Buena Vista, Snowmass, Carbondale and Hotchkiss.

Copper Triangle, Aug. 5 A 78-mile loop that takes riders over Fremont Pass (11,318 feet), Tennessee Pass (10,424 feet) and Vail Pass (10,666 feet) for a total elevation gain of 6,000 feet.

West Elk Bicycle Classic, Sept. 1 The 135-mile Gran Fondo is a point-to-point ride from Gunnison to Crested Butte.

Stonewall Century Ride, Aug. 10 The 16th edition of the classic ride takes riders from La Veta, up and over Cucharas Pass and back to La Veta.

Tour of the Moon, Sept. 28 The classic 41- mile ride through Colorado National Monument continues its legacy as one of the premier road cycling events in the western United States. This route was popularized in the movie ‘American Flyers’ which highlights the route. There is also an option to make the ride a metric century.