20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides

June 20, 2013

286131_159784717432253_804849_oColorado has some of the greatest road bike rides in the country.    Some are shorter, convenient rides whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. Locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer.

The best way to approach any of these rides is to come prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts.  Functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents.  Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb.  And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts  on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.

With so many to choose from, why not do them all this summer!  Stop by the Peak Cycles Bike Shop to get the insiders scoop on any of our favorite 20 Colorado Front Range road rides.

  1. Historic Lariat Loop
  2. Deer Creek Canyon
  3. Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to Guanella Pass
  4. Red Rocks Park Loop
  5. Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to St. Mary’s Glacier (Alice)
  6. Idaho Springs to Loveland Pass
  7. Golden to Cold Springs Campground via Golden Gate Canyon
  8. Bergen Park to Echo Lake
  9. Idaho Springs to Juniper Pass
  10. Manitou Springs to Pike Peak Summit Parking Lot (Pikes Peak Hill Climb)
  11. Morgul-Bismark Route
  12. Jamestown Canyon Ride
  13. Flagstaff Hill Climb
  14. NCAR Hill Climb
  15. Lookout Mountain Hill Climb
  16. Sunshine Hill Climb
  17. Magnolia Hill Climb
  18. Mt. Evans Hill Climb
  19. Pikes Peak
  20. Trail Ridge Road

2013 Colorado Road Racing Calendar: Which Ones Will You Do?

March 21, 2013

For some, the Colorado road racing season has already started; however, for many, it is just around the corner and many athletes may be pondering which tours and races to plan for in 2013. Whenever you want to achieve something, you have to have a definite goal.  As such, it’s important to plan your season right.   Whether you are a casual rider or a competitive cyclist, training, racing, recovering and having the appropriate gear, tools, and bike setup  are critical to reaching your goals.

For starters, what are you’re 2013 cycling goals?  As mentioned in our recent blog post,  it’s important to make your goals SMART.  As in, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.   With that being said, Colorado offers world class riding and racing.  Now that you are thinking about what your goals are, you need to pick the right events during the cycling season to help you best achieve those goals.

Notably, not all events are equal.  Some are harder than others and as such, competitive cyclist can use different course profiles, distances, and bike part options to mindfully select A, B, and C type races according to their training plans and race goals.  When you’re working toward a goal that’s important to you, the last thing you want is to face an obstacle or unexpected challenge.  A successful season starts off right by planning ahead, getting your road bike in order and getting the gear and resources you need.  By selecting the best races based on your specific goals and having the best bike parts associated with your riding style, you are successfully preparing for a rewarding 2013 cycling season.

Now, which races will you do?  While there are many tours, races, and events to choose from in Colorado, at BikeParts.com, here are some of our favorites:

  • Rocky Mountain Road Cup (RMRC)  Road racing events range from March through August.  The Rocky Mountain Road Cup is a season long points competition featuring a three-tiered points system that provides competitive cyclist with a great racing calendar.  Click here for a downloadable calendar of these events   
  • The Koppenberg  May 5, 2013  The Koppenberg race featuring a 17% grade climb is the queen of the spring time cycling events in Colorado.
  • Elephant Rock Cycling Festival: May 31–June 2, 2013  This year’s Elephant Rock Cycling Festival notes the 26th annual pilgrimage to Castle Rock for the Rocky Mountain region’s premier cycling festival.  Riders of all ages turn out for this event.
  • Ride the Rockies  June 8 – 15, 2013  The 28th annual tour will feature 3 scenic mountain passes, a trek over the highest suspension bridge in the U.S. and 20,400 vertical ft. over 7 days and 513 miles.
  • Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride  June 15, 2013  The Denver Century Ride features bicycle courses for all skills levels and benefits BikeDenver. This healthy lifestyle cycling event is Colorado’s premier urban bicycle ride and is open to the public.
  • Mount Evans Hill Climb:  July 2013  Race up 7,000 feet in elevation in just 28 miles on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.
  • Triple Bypass July 13 – 14, 2013  A two day ride from Evergreen to Avon.
  • Copper Triangle  August 3, 2013  The Copper Triangle is a 78-Mile course with an elevation gain of almost 6,000 feet over three mountain passes.  It has has long been considered one of Colorado’s classic alpine road rides Graced with breathtaking scenery, gorgeous roads and three challenging climbs.

Not sure which event is for you?  Stop by the Peak Cycling Bike Shop for help or visit us at bike parts.com for maps, information, or general bike components that you may need for your next big event.


Mount Evans Monday – Road Ride from Golden

June 10, 2008

Brendan climbing strong
Brendan talked me into riding from Golden to the top of Mt Evans today.  he has never done a century (100mile bike ride) so he thought this would be a good time to do it!  he started in Denver and we met in Golden at the bike shop around 7:30am.  it was a great morning and a classic Colorado day with no clouds in the sky!  first, we headed up Lookout Mtn on our way to Mt Evans.  we climbed steadily up to Evergreen and over Squaw Pass to the lodge at Echo Lake.  we put some layers of clothing on and started the final ascent to the top.  after riding up hill for 50 miles and 4:45 hours, we finally got to the top!  it was beautiful and clear, which is rare at that height, but the wind was very cold!!!  we put all of our gear on, took some picts and headed back home!  the descent was not too bad, but the wind kept us from going too fast.  we got to the lodge again at Echo Lake, and had a hearty lunch.  all that was left was a 30 mile decent down to Golden.  it was nice to be back at lower altitude where it was warmer.  in the end, what took us almost 5 hours to climb, we flew down in 2 hours!  😉

it was a great time riding with Brendan cause there wasn’t the usual ‘fast racer pressure’ as with the other road rides i have done.  and once we got back to golden, Brendan still had to ride back to his home in Denver, so he ended up logging in over 125 miles!!!  congrats Brendan for setting a goal and making it happen!!

as always, a picture speaks a thousand words.  here is a link to a website of more photos from todays ride.

there has been a lot going on lately with friends and family becoming ill or passing away.
this day was to remind me that life is very precious!  do what you love and make the most of it!

love and peace. jesse

Stats:
Dist = 97miles
Time Riding = 6:49 hours
Elev Gain = 12,504 feet
Calories Burned = 5400Cal
Max Speed = 47.5 mph
GPS  = http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5936113

Eye can see the road to the top