Cycling Climbs of Colorado - a Fine List

The very best bike climbs in Colorado with all the facts

I just completed a very fun project - I created a brand new Pedal Dancer® Guide Page for Colorado bike climbs. A list of the most popular mountain passes to ride by bike in Colorado, with all the facts in one convenient online place. See the new Pedal Dancer Guide Page to COLORADO CLIMBS now.

I think of it as the ultimate resource list for cycling climbs in Colorado, offering ride facts and links to ride descriptions, maps and climb profiles by those who know best -- the individuals who get out and ride the rides: MyBicycleRoutes, CyclePass, ClimbbyBike, 303Cycling, SteepClimbs, ColoradoGuy, Colorado-Cycling.com, SummitBiking, Rocky Mountain Cycling Club, Trimble Outdoors, Colorado Bike Maps, 5280, Team Evergreen, STRAVA, MapMyRide, RidewithGPS, Pedal Dancer, local websites and bloggers.

I have included the climbs I have ridden and know best; there are 26 climbs highlighted on the guide page. A drop in the bucket, but a good start.  Jon Summerson wrote a fine book, worth buying, in which he details 144 climbs in Colorado, titled The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike in Colorado. Read my 2011 book review: Recommended Reading: Guide to Climbing.

THE MAP

Map of 26 recommended bike climbs in Colorado: interactive map link

Map of popular cycling climbs in Colorado by Pedal Dancer (link)

COLORADO CLIMBS

What I hope to accomplish through compiling this list, is to provide you with one place to locate and read all the resources available about a specific climb you plan to conquer; planning ahead to make your ride better and your bucket list more complete.

Presented in alphabetical order, I detail the climbs I am most familiar with, beginning with the FAQs for each of these popular rides (or ones I really think you should ride), then offer links by the experts.

26 Colorado Passes are featured:

Battle Mountain, Berthoud Pass, Colorado National Monument, Cottonwood Pass, Deer Creek / High Grade Rd., Fremont Pass, Grand Mesa, Guanella Pass, Hoosier Pass, Independence Pass, Lizard Head Pass, Lookout Mountain, Loveland Pass, Magnolia Rd, Maroon Bells, McClure Pass, Monarch Pass, Mount Evans, Rabbit Ears Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Squaw Pass, Super Flagstaff, Swan Mountain, Tennessee Pass, Trail Ridge Road, Vail Pass.

I now have two Guide Pages to cycling in Colorado: 

• COLORADO CLIMBS - see details of the 26 climbs on this page 
• COLORADO CYCLING

Path over Swan Mountain looking toward Breckenridge, Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer

Colorado Climb Records:

Most Difficult: Mt Evans is rated as the most difficult climb in Colorado at 9.0 (if the rating considered altitude and weather it should be doubled!). Grand Mesa from either side is also very difficult, but the north side is the second most difficult climb in Colorado. At third most difficult is Trail Ridge Rd - East side.

Highest: Mount Evans is the highest climb with a maximum elevation reached of 14150 ft. Trail Ridge Road is 12183 ft and Cottonwood Pass is 12126 ft. Next is Independence Pass at 12095 ft in elevation.

Longest: Of the climbs listed below, Lizard Head Pass (south side from Delores to Telluride) is the longest at 49.2 miles, although it is not very steep (1.3% average grade). The entire climb of Mt Evans from Idaho Springs is 28 miles. McClure Pass (north side) is also long at 25.4 miles . Trail Ridge Rd (east side) is another long climb at a distance of 24.3 miles.

Longest Hardest: Mount Evans, Grand Mesa (both sides). Hard hard hard.

Steepest: Magnolia Rd is thought to be the steepest paved road in Colorado with a 9.1% average grade and a maximum grade of 17%.

The Shortest Hardest: If you like your climbs intense, then you will want to ride East Portal (max 16%), Magnolia Rd (max 17%), and Flagstaff Rd (max 14%). 

Greatest Ascent: The honor of most effort goes again to Mt Evans with 6240ft gain in elevation during the climb, followed by a tough Trail Ridge Rd with 4663 ft gain, barely edging out Grand Mesa (south route from Delta) with 4620 ft elevation gain (although these figures vary by resource).

Fastest Descent: Hold on for the ride down the west side of Rabbit Ears Pass, the south side of Wolf Creek Pass, and the south side of Hoosier Pass. 

Most Scenic: My vote would go to Independence Pass, Trail Ridge Rd, Mt Evans (on a good weather day), Red Mountain Pass or Colorado National Monument. I like open vistas!

Closed for Winter: Trail Ridge Rd, Independence Pass, and Mt Evans. 

My Top Bucket List Climbs: Cottonwood Pass, Independence Pass, Trail Ridge Rd, Mt. Evans, Loveland Pass (south side), Grand Mesa.

Climbs that cross the Continental (Great) Divide

Popular cycling climbs that cross the Continental (Great) Divide. You could do all eight in one week-long vacation to Colorado:

• Rabbit Ears Pass
• Muddy Pass
• Loveland Pass 
• Hoosier Pass 
• Independence Pass 
• Cottonwood Pass 
• Monarch Pass 
• Wolf Creek Pass 

Classic Climbs:

According to Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC) there are 46 paved passes in the state of Colorado, 27 of those are over 10,000 ft in elevation. I need to give the fine folks at RMCC credit for compiling their list of 15 Classic Colorado Climbs listed, in alphabetical order, as:

• Black Canyon (north rim)
• Black Canyon (south rim)
• Cheyenne Canyon
• Colorado National Monument
• Deer Creek / High Grade
• Golden Gate Canyon
• Grand Mesa
• Lefthand Canyon
• Lookout Mountain
• Magnolia
• Mt. Evans
• Rist Canyon
• St Mary's Glacier
• Super Flagstaff
• Trail Ridge Rd

Loveland Pass - south side, Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer

My favorites Colorado ride areas:

I am certain every cyclist has their own personal favorites, my favorite cycling areas in Colorado are:

• Copper Triangle (Copper Mountain, Leadville, Battle Mountain, Vail Pass loop)
• Squaw Pass/Mt Evans/Idaho Springs Loop
• Lyons, Old St. Vrain Canyon, Peak to Peak Hwy, Ward, Lefthand Canyon, Boulder Loop
• Lyons, Allens Park, up Trail Ridge Road / Grand Lake
• Deer Creek, High Grade, Turkey Creek area loop, SW Denver
• Frisco, Keystone, Montezuma, Loveland Pass, Georgetown area
• Cottonwood Pass between Crested Butte and Buena Vista
• Deckers Loop south of Denver
• Colorado Monument near Grand Junction
• Independence Pass/Aspen (both sides)
• Maroon Bells + Castle Creek, Aspen
• Grand Mesa and Paonia area

Once again, read more about these climbs in detail: distances, profiles, ride reports, and more FAQS by visiting the new Pedal Dancer® Guide Page >>>> COLORADO CLIMBS. It should truly inspire you to conquer a new mountain in 2015!

Host Cities for 2015 USA Pro Challenge

The cities to host the 2015 Colorado stage race were announced today

Race Organizers have changed things up this year, which was needed. Colorado truly is a magnificent state, we have so much natural beauty and so many wonderful mountain towns that I am happy to see new places and roads featured for the 2015 race.

STAGES AND HOST CITIES FOR 2015 USA PRO CHALLENGE IN COLORADO

• Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 17 – Steamboat Springs Circuit Race
• Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin
• Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen
• Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 20 – Aspen to Breckenridge
• Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 21 – Breckenridge Individual Time Trial
• Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 22 - Loveland to Fort Collins (announced 12/22/14)
• Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 23 – Golden to Denver

*Exact routes and roads will be announced in spring 2015.

First impression of the 2015 route (which is conceivable based upon the order of host cities) is a raced formed across long road climbs. The kind of race where team work matters and many new names will be seen on the podium. Still it will be the kind of race where experience trumps all. There are opportunities for a sprinter, for a strong finishing climber, for a time trialist able to manage a twisty climbing course, but especially for a true team leader. To win - your team will have to sacrifice.

About the race between Host Cities

Steamboat Springs  |  A Basin  |  Copper Mountain  |  Aspen  |  Breckenridge  |  ???  |  Golden  |  Denver

Overall this will be a very nice week in Colorado. 

The race begins in Steamboat Springs - a welcoming cowboy ski town northwest of Denver. The following day there will be an early climb over Rabbit Mountain and a final climb to the ski station of Arapahoe Basin (A Basin) - one of my favorite roads to cycle in Colorado (especially the nearby Loveland Pass). Next the peloton will depart Copper Mountain, another ski village, and climb over Independence Pass into the familiar city of Aspen. They won't stay long, the next day the riders climb back to Breckenridge where the 9600'ft elevation individual time trial will take place the following day on Stage 5. This will be a do not miss day in Breckenridge (it's a Friday).

Breckenridge is an excellent choice to base the peloton and it's entourage for two nights. As welcoming as Steamboat, the city is even more scenic and excels at hosting large events.

Update 12/22/14: Stage 6 route of the USA Pro Challenge has been decided and announced, the stage will start in Loveland and end in Fort Collins. The exact route is not known at this time

2015 STAGE 6 USA PRO: Loveland to Fort Collins

After departing Breckenridge the peloton enters the yet unknown; the host cities and route of Stage 6 have yet to be decided. Race Organizers fancy the promotional idea of putting the vote to the people, a repeat of 2014 when they chose to get the people involved in route planning (or so it looks, I never know if they actually have the route fully planned already).

I think imagining routes is as fun as riding them - so share your ideas, if it does not impact this year, it might impact next year's route. Where should the race proceed between Breckenridge (Stage 5) and the start in Golden (Stage 7); your route idea must be within 150 miles of Denver. Take into consideration that Stage 6 is on a Saturday, so race organizers will want big crowds and good TV viewing, also the peloton will bed in downtown Denver for the last two nights to ease logistics. The race finish is once again in Denver on a Sunday.

Stage 6 options:

• Within 150 miles of Denver
• Easy bus transfer for riders into Denver after the stage finish
• Generally National Parks are off limits
• Consider the costs to the towns suffering from recent fire or flood damage
• It cost 250,000+ to close an interstate off-ramp
• Team cars must be able to follow the riders
• The route should attract big crowds
• The route should look spectacular on TV
• A clear leader will have emerged the day before after the ITT

Share your idea for the route of Stage 6 USA Pro Challenge 2015 here: prochallenge.com/2015stage6. (voting closed)

Stage 6 should be located somewhere inside this circle. There are a lot of mountains between Breckenridge and Golden, but not all roads/paths are suitable for a peloton and team cars (e.g., the I-70 corridor; Mt Evans is a National Park)

Previous host cities north or northwest of Denver include Boulder, Loveland and Fort Collins

Previous or possible host cities southwest of Denver include Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Idaho Springs, and Golden.

My wish for Stage 6

I would like to see the race go up Lookout Mountain again to Squaw Pass and Red Rocks. For Front Range Colorado Cyclists - this is our prime stomping ground. Alternatively a stage between the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs  east to the Black Forrest rollers could be a tactically interesting race to watch.  There will be some noise to get the US Pro Challenge back onto Flagstaff mountain in Boulder - which just reopened this week - but Boulder is a very controversial location. My loyalty will always go to Golden or Loveland/Fort Collins for the historical support they have given the race over the years.

My route choice for Stage 6 is logistically challenging, but what a race it would be with terrific TV camera coverage:

Golden - Lookout Mountain - Idaho Springs - Echo Lake - Squaw Pass - Kerr Gulch - Red Rocks - Golden
+8,589 ft   |   -8,593 ft    |    79.5 miles  |   max elev. 11,152 ft   |   anything could happen

Golden Loop

My second wish for Stage 6

The Peak to Peak Highway is a scenic byway crossing a beautiful stretch of high country Colorado. A route from Loveland to Eldora Ski Resort would attract crowds from Fort Collins, Loveland, Boulder, Nederlands, Golden and Denver. I am a fan of shorter pro routes where the racing begins from the start and continues throughout the stage. This route would parallel the continental divide north to south and features challenging false flats at altitude.

The Ranch - Loveland downtown - Big Thompson - Estes Park - Allenspark - Nederlands - Eldora
+8,625 ft  |  -4,324 ft  |  85.0 miles  |  max elev. 9,367 ft  |  magnificent Rocky Mountain climbing

Loveland to Eldora

Team Evergreen had a great idea for a route: http://teamevergreen.org/mtevans/course-map-2/

Lakewood - Golden - Lookout Mountain - Red Rocks Park - Morrison - Evergreen - Squaw Pass - Echo Lake - Idaho Springs - Georgetown - Guenella Pass.
14, 651 ft  |  97.1 Miles  |  super challenging

Lakewood to Guenella Pass over Lookout Mtn and up Squaw Pass

Send in your wish for the stage route: help plan Stage 6


The race in 2015

There will definitely be new teams racing in 2015. Changes have been made to the names, sponsors and ranks in the Pro Teams, Pro Continental and Continental teams. Even the women's teams are reforming for 2015. No announcement has been made yet about additional details of the women's stage race planned in conjunction with the 2015 USA Pro Challenge.

Exact Route details will be announced in spring 2015, this is when we will fully discover all the other great small towns the race will visit or pass through next summer. Teams will be announced in the months preceding, with final rosters announced 1 week before the race start.

August 17-23, 2015 should be a very nice week to spend on vacation in Colorado.

Remember - head to Steamboat Springs early so you can see and ride next to the teams training in the days before the race start!  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.

Recommended road rides near Vail, Colorado

Bike Routes over or near Vail Pass

Vail, Colorado is known for it's world class skiing; regularly playing host to both professional ski races and happy ski tourists. But Vail also has some excellent high altitude cycling across and over its local mountains.

Incorporated as a city in 1966, Vail is small in size, squeezing 5400 of its population into only 4.5 sq mi (11.7 km²).  Tourists swarm the place during the winter ski season and again during the changing fall foliage season. This town can either seem very busy or nearly abandoned.

This August the USA Pro Challenge, professional cycling stage race, will return once again (3rd time) to race from the center of Vail Village up Vail Pass. An individual time trial will be held on Saturday, August 23rd. Last year, the pros reached average speeds of 22mph for 10-miles up this pass. You can go at it slowly or try your best to match their pace.

Summer months see a steady stream of cyclists over Vail Pass. The bike path, fully paved, is closed to cars for sections, making it a wonderful experience for cyclists wanting to enjoy the views along the deceivingly tough false flat or narrow and steep bike path to the summit.

If you are in the area, take the time to enjoy these seven rides near Vail. 

Location of Vail, Colorado

Bikes in Vail Village.  Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Where to ride a bike in Vail, Colorado

There is more to ride in the area than just Vail Pass. Here are seven recommended road bike rides in or near Vail, Colorado:

1. Vail to Vail Pass
2. Vail to Frisco
3. Vail Village - Vail Pass - Swan Mountain - Loveland Pass
4. Copper Triangle traditional
5. Copper Triangle reverse
6. Vail to Beaver Creek Resort
7. Bike Path Neighborhoods of Vail

Vail Pass, Colorado.  Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Vail to Vail Pass
Distance in miles: 31.76 miles
Altitude gain: 3044 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft
Max elevation: 10,620 ft
Description: Vail Village center to top of Vail Pass (west side)
Stops along the way: Sim's market in East Vail, Vail Pass rest station at the top of the pass.
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail to Vail Pass Bike Ride route map and profile

*Tejay Van Garderen holds the record for fastest climb up Vail Pass from Vail Village (West Side) in a time of 25:01. The ITT route of the USA Pro Challenge does not go all the way to the summit.

Vail to Frisco and back
Distance in miles: 55.91 miles
Altitude gain: 5018 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft
Max elevation: 10620 ft
Description: Vail Village to Frisco Marina by bike over Vail Pass (both sides)
Stops along the way: Sim's market in East Vail; Vail Pass rest stop at the top of the pass, Copper Mountain Resort (quiet in summer), Starbucks just past Copper Mountain, Frisco Main Street, Frisco Marina (return).
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail Village to Frisco bike Ride route map and profile

Vail Village - Vail Pass - Swan Mountain - Loveland Pass (return)
Distance in miles: 96.56 miles
Altitude gain: 9506 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft
Max elevation: 11971 ft
Description: Vail Village over Vail Pass to Frisco, over Swan Mountain Rd past Keystone, to Loveland Pass and return back around Lake Dillon over Vail Pass again to Vail Village.
Stops along the way: Sim's market in East Vail; Vail Pass rest stop at the top of the pass, Copper Mountain Resort (quiet in summer), Starbucks just past Copper Mountain, Frisco Main Street, Keystone Ski Resort (return).
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail to Loveland Pass route map and profile

Copper Triangle from Vail (east loop/ traditional)
Distance in miles: 78.7 miles
Altitude gain: 7515 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft 
Max elevation: 11353 ft
Description: Vail Village - Copper Triangle Loop road bike ride, traditional east loop
Stops along the way: Sim's market in East Vail, Vail Pass rest stop at the top of the pass, Copper Mountain Resort (quiet in summer), Starbucks at the juncture with Copper Mountain, Leadville, Minturn, West Vail rest stop at Dawg Park.
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail Copper Triangle route map and profile

Copper Triangle from Vail (west loop/reverse)
Distance in miles: 79.9 miles
Altitude gain: 7485 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft 
Max elevation: 11351 ft
Description: Vail Village - Copper Triangle Loop road bike ride, reverse west loop
Stops along the way: West Vail rest stop at Dawg Park, Minturn, Leadville, Starbucks at the juncture with Copper Mountain, Copper Mountain Resort (quiet in summer), Vail Pass rest stop at the top of the pass, Sim's market in East Vail. 
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail Copper Triangle route map and profile

Vail to Beaver Creek Resort
Distance in miles: 26.61 miles
Altitude gain: 2405 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft 
Max elevation: 8672 ft
Description: Vail Village to Beaver Creek Resort short hillclimb. May extend this ride to Edwards.
Stops along the way: West Vail rest stop at Dawg Park, Avon, Beaver Creek Resort (quiet in summer), return.
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail Village to Beaver Creek route map and profile

Bike Path neighborhoods of Vail
Distance in miles: 15.68 miles
Altitude gain: 1274 ft
Start Elevation: 8187 ft 
Max elevation: 8822 ft
Description: Casual bike ride near Vail; local roads and Gore Creek bike path loop ride
Stops along the way: Vail Village and Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Link to Map My Ride route map: Vail Village local and bike path ride map and profile

High altitude cycling

It rains most afternoons on Vail Pass so come prepared.  On the "false flat old Rd 6 over Vail Pass. Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

The Gore Creek bike path in Vail Valley. Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

The smaller bike path over Vail Pass from Copper Mountain/Frisco.  Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Up and over Vail Pass at 16,662ft elevation (3,250m).  Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Pro Race in Colorado

If you are planning on attending the USA Pro Challenge race on August 23, 2014 in Vail, Colorado, please read this post: On the path of the USA Pro Challenge - Vail

Michael Rogers racing in the USA Pro Challenge in 2013 up Vail Pass. Photo© By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

SATURDAY, STAGE 6 : 10 miles Stage Map PDF  Stage Profile PDF
Individual Time Trial up Vail Pass bike path (same route as previous years)

The Pro's route from Vail Village to the end of the road up Vail Pass (just past where the narrow bike path begins)

More recommended bike rides in Colorado at: COLORADO CYCLING
Related posts: Recommended Road Bike Rides Near Aspen

2014 Ride the Rockies Route

A Scenic Challenge

2014 Ride the Rockies route map   click map to enlarge

Ride the Rockies 2014 = 473 miles, 28,265′ Elev. Gain. 2,000 riders, lottery system.

RTR Climbs: Berthoud Pass / Muddy Pass / Rabbit Ears / Battle Mtn / Tennessee Pass / Fremont Pass / Swan Mtn / Loveland Pass / Lookout Mtn

REGISTER NOW: Register for 2014 Ride the Rockies now (open Feb 9th - March 2nd)

• $5 lottery entrance fee charged upon initial registration
• $495 registration fee charged if/when accepted, non-transferable, non-refundable
• Registration notifications will be sent out March 7th

2014 RTR ROUTE

Sunday, June 8 — Boulder to Winter Park 
89 miles | Berthoud Pass – 11,315 ft.

Monday, June 9 — Winter Park to Steamboat Springs 
94 miles | Muddy Pass – 8,772 ft. & Rabbit Ears – 9,426 ft.

Tuesday, June 10 — Steamboat Springs Loop
53 miles | Twenty-Mile Rd. / out and back from Steamboat Springs

Wednesday, June 11 — Steamboat Springs to Avon 
82 miles | State Bridge

Thursday, June 12 — Avon to Breckenridge 
75 miles | Battle Mtn. – 9,231 ft., Tennessee Pass – 10, 424 ft. & Fremont Pass – 11,318 ft.

Friday, June 13 — Breckenridge to Golden
80 miles | Swan Mtn. – 9,520 ft., Loveland Pass – 11,992 ft. & Lookout Mtn. – 7,374 ft.

Bonus Ride

Friday, June 6 to Saturday June 7, 2014 - Ride The Rockies Prologue Ride
48 miles  | 4,447 ft. ride around Boulder, Colorado
Includes: hotel, reception, breakfast, celebrity ride on the 7th, massage, dinner, entrance into the real Ride The Rockies, team kit, team photo and gift. All for $2,500 each. If you go, be sure to talk to Ron Kiefel and Chef Biju Thomas - both men are super courteous and friendly. 

Area of 2014 Ride the Rockies route

Ride the Rockies Route description

This is a great challenging scenic route for 2014. In fact this route is more impressive than the route the pros will ride for the USA Pro Challenge in August. It would only be made better if it too included the area of Gunnison and Crested Butte as the USAPro will this year. But this route is not doable by the pros because it contains sections of bike paths on several days.

The staff at Ride The Rockies know the mountains and roads of Colorado very well. This year they have planned a consistent day-to-day challenge for cyclists. The start and finish should also be somewhat easier logistically (compared to previous years) for participants from out of state.

The entire route of the 2014 Ride The Rockies is central to Denver/Boulder and yet riders will quickly find themselves in big mountains with expansive views on Day 1. The mileage is steady every day, which means this is a route requiring excellent training and proper gearing.

Bring your "Colorado bike set-up," that means at least a 30 or 32 in the rear and a compact or triple on the front. Yes it matters when riding 89,94,53,82,75,80 miles, day after day, at altitude. Training, good gearing and recovery are key to a successful week in the saddle in the Rocky Mountains. This ride has an impressive list of sponsors and tech support to fund the event and help the riders before and during the event.

2014 Ride The Rockies route tests riders "right out of the gate." by The Denver Post (primary sponsor).

Accommodations vary and riders have a choice of self-camping, catered-camping, RVs, or hotels (see logistics). Every town has plentiful hotels (not always the case in some of the smaller towns in Colorado). The total price adds up quickly when using hotels, but a combination of a good rolling duffle bag of camp gear plus a couple nights hotel should make any rider happy.

Lots of information about preparing and training for the ride, here: Rider Area of Ride The Rockies. Ride the Rockies facebook page. Official website: ridetherockies.com. I envy anyone going on this event ride in Colorado in 2014!

Loveland Pass.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer®

Day 1 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 2 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 3 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 4 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 5 Route Ride the Rockies

Day 6 Route Ride the Rockies

Pre-Ride 2014 Ride The Rockies Prologue Route

More bike events in Colorado in 2014: 2014 Colorado Cycling Events and Bike Rides

Do you ride Deer Creek Canyon?

A popular climb for most Denver cyclists

For those Colorado cyclists who ride Deer Creek Canyon most weekends (when it is not snowing, which I believe still happens occasionally), there will be a community discussion for cyclists and community members - tomorrow night, Wednesday, April 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m - to discuss cycling in the canyon.

Community meeting about cycling in Deer Creek Canyon

This is a canyon with a troubled history, but a glorious ride on a bicycle. Discussion is good and we never want what happened to Dirk Friel last year in Boulder to continue to escalate in Deer Creek Canyon until someone is injured seriously. Which almost happened last November to Byron Nix, who was hit, but is okay. Read and see more: Pickup hits cyclist on popular Littleton riding route; driver blames cyclists.

I reason that if the local neighbors who drive this canyon meet some of us face to face they will realize we are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers. We go to work every day and have families, not the kinds of people who deserve to be injured by a vehicle.

It is also time for us to hear how scary it can be for a driver to navigate around cyclists spread out across a winding mountain road. And to remember this is also the neighborhood which cultivates the wonderful volunteers who supply one of the best rest stops for cyclists in the area. I say safety first, combined with a healthy dose of consideration.

I felt it was time to show up as part of the community of cyclists, to put a face and voice behind the lycra and helmet. Both BikeJeffco and Team Evergreen have been involved in these meetings since last year.

Come if you can

Join County Commissioner Donald Rosier, your neighbors and some people who like to ride bicycles in the area for an open house to discuss issues raised by both motorists and cyclists on roads in the Deer Creek Canyon area. The open house will be held Wednesday, April 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Sampson Community Club, 16150 W. Sampson Road in Littleton. The Board of County Commissioners is looking for some realistic solutions to some real problems, and they need your input.

16150 W. Sampson Rd, Littleton, Colorado - this is located off Deer Creek Canyon Rd between South Valley and the High Grade turnoff.

Anyone who can guess where this location (below) is should consider attending this meeting:

The High Grade Rd rest stop area, supplied for cyclists with food and drink by local volunteers. Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com

Related posts by Pedal Dancer - about the ride up Deer Creek Canyon and High Grade Road: 50,000 Views - the joy of the destination

Follow-up 04/25/2013:

Hate

This is the one word that would summarize the meeting last night about cycling in Deer Creek Canyon. As is typical with many meetings, there was a lot of filler words and wishes without much real education or solutions. Mostly there was a ton of empty complaints, frustration and hate by the neighbors who live along this popular cycling route.

So much hate that even the speakers (a local County Commissioner and Police Lieutenant) tilted their speech to appeal to the neighborhood view only. I don't blame them. It was ugly and counterproductive until the end of the meeting when those who truly wanted action still lingered.

Some ideas were good: Better signage, more rest stops with portable toilets, metering traffic, cyclist education/community reach, special designation of the road, having the cyclists register and wear a badge of sorts that they have read the local laws, greater enforcement of traffic laws.

Some ideas were ridiculous (although change happens): closing the road to all cyclists (motorcycles and car touring clubs are also a problem), creating a toll road (on a public maintained road), forcing all cyclists to register for a license to be displayed like cars, building a bike path up the hill (way too expensive, plus road cyclists cycle on the road, not on paths. This would also require land from locals).

I have always considered my role on a bicycle to be that of a good ambassador for the sport. If I miff-off a driver in a car with my behavior, he/she could take it out on the next cyclist they see. If you wear a team kit, represent your team with honor. If you wear a helmet, it means you take your own safety seriously. This is important, an angry citizen in a vehicle is a frightening harmful combination. Every time they are hauled into court and charged - I applaud. 

Immediate changes

There are a few things we can do now as cyclists:

• Please do not liter your bar and gu wrappers on the road (considered littering).
• Please do not ride double-file in the road (considered obstructing traffic on a winding road). 
• Please briefly pull to the right and let a descending car pass you, then continue descending (considered considerate, something we all wish every RV would do on our local mountain roads).
• Please do not stop in the center of the road for any reason, pull completely off the road to wait for your friends.
• Absolutely pull over and stop your bike along the side of the road when a local emergency vehicle is attempting to respond to an emergency (as a vehicle is required) .
• Absolutely stop at all Stop signs (as a vehicle is required).
• Absolutely obey the speed limit (as a vehicle is required).
• Absolutely do not urinate along the road at any points other than those with designated porta potties, the entire canyon is private property (considered both trespassing on private land, and indecent exposure in public).

This last point, plus the "arrogance" of certain cyclists on the road is what most annoys the neighbors of this community. They are angry, there is no denying that fact. I believe there is a collection of cyclists that are ruining this canyon for the rest of us. It honestly makes me scared to cycle in this area. And that is what I most fear: loss of my freedom. So please participate and behave like a good citizen even while on a bike. Let them be the haters, not us. 

So also please:

• Wear a GoPro on your helmet to video tape potential problems in high risk areas
• Keep your cell phone handy to snap a picture of the license plate of any harassing drivers
• Please keep the local police number on your cell phone and report any incidents immediately to build a history against specific harmful drivers. 
• Our collective goal as cyclists should be to keep ourselves and the next cyclist up or down the road near us - safe. 

I should also speak up to say that I used to ride that canyon almost weekly. I have been unsafely buzzed by cars, almost ran off the road, shouted at, thrown at, and I have never broken the law in the canyon. I do not deserve to be treated that way. I always ride as far right as possible and usually solo. This is a public road. Mean bad drivers are mean bad people, period.

Can't we all just get along

Location of Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County, near Denver, Colorado

A great Climb on a bicycle

With sometimes unfriendly citizens

But a beautiful mountain location

And what should be a nice ride on a public road

Follow-up 4/30/13: A terribly one-side article in the Columbine Courier, Cyclists, residents discuss road safety in Deer Creek Canyon, By Daniel Laverty.

Follow-up 05/14/13: There will be another "community" meeting and cyclists can go (that is a different phrase choice than "welcome"). Attend if you can to lend your voice - Bike Jeffco meeting, Tuesday, May 14, 7:00pm to 9:00pm, at the Jeffco Government Center, 605 Johnson Road, Golden, Colorado.

Follow-up 05/21/13: An article about riding in Jefferson County in today's Denver Post newspaper; Tension between bikes, cars, motorcycles high in Jefferson County, By Jordan Steffen

When will cyclists get their side of the truth out there? Sure bikes annoy, but cars kill, and people are always at the center of the problem - on both sides.

I personally think Deer Creek locals are spreading publicity as if this is a widespread problem in other areas. I have not experienced near the hatred from other neighborhoods in Colorado. The only other problem I have encountered is on the connecting road to Carter Lake in Boulder county where cyclists must merge onto a county road for 1/4-1/2 mile. Larimer County has had it's problems as well. Most of Colorado's citizens can be quite courteous. Deer Creek resident's are spreading the word that animosity against cyclists is justified.

As long as I am a smart and considerate cyclist,  I only ever have problems on Deer Creek Canyon Rd, which sadly is pretty consistent.

Update 06/06/13: Article in The Denver Post: Tension mounts as 881 cyclists, 1,412 motorists share Deer Creek Canyon.

Update 06/10/13: Restrooms and water near Deer Creek Canyon click image to enlarge

Restrooms, rest stop, porta potties in the area of Deer Creek Canyon

Chatfield reservoir is nearby with plenty of facilities both flush and porta potties. There is also a restroom near a hiking trailhead on the way up the canyon, on the right side of the road. Definitely use one or the other before starting your climb. The rest stop up High Grade Rd (labeled Pleasant Park Road on this map) is the source for water on the climb (seasonal; bring dollars to contribute to the water in the honor system coolers mentioned above). There is also water at fountains in the reservoir (seasonal).