High Country Cycling Route Suggestions Needed (Woodland Park, Sheridan: rental, scorpions, budget)

[treedonkey]

Hello. I will be driving with a friend in a 10' rental truck from San Jose, CA to Palmer Lake, CO in mid-September. We are planning on taking the I-70 route from Utah into CO. We are hoping to find some decent biking routes along the way, without going too far off course, so we can take turns riding through the high country. Can anyone suggest some good routes? Here are the criteria that I defines 'good' for me:

1. Nice Ride - Not a freeway route. A predominantly downhill profile is a plus (because, hey, why kill ourselves?). Awesome scenery is a must.
2. Decent roads - We have Mtn. Bikes so anything a regular car can drive on is fine, but the van will have to somewhow be able to meet the biker down the road a stretch.
3. Low Congestion - We would definitely like to avoid busy roads with cars wizzing by at freeway speed if at all possible. Also, if there's any way to avoid the tight-pants-and-fake-jersey crowd of weekend warriors that love to ride those busy roads on weekends, that would be another plus.
4. Reasonable Distances: Due to time, budget and (of course) energy constraints, we can't stray too far off the beaten path, so extended rides on fire roads and such are probably out.

I know that no single road is likely to meet all those criteria. But any suggestion is better than none. Thank you all.

[SheridanL]

Wellllllllll,....I suppose that the bike route from Vail into Breckinridge is out.
If you are coming from Utah, it is definitely more downhill, however, it is along I70. You could go on in to Breck, it does continue into the mainstreet where you could meet up!!
I really can't think of any other place that wouldn't take you off the beaten path and, NOT be somewhat close to traffic.
It IS a very mountainy (I know that's not a word) and scenic ride. Maybe the noise from the river would drown out some of the traffic noise?!
How far do you want to ride?? Miles that is?? Assuming you are already used to the higher altitude and in good shape, this might make a difference and, others might have a better suggestion!
Sounds fun though,...have a fantastic time!!

Oh yeah....sunscreen and hydrate more than ever before..no matter what time of year!!!
Breckenridge has just come out with a POD. Portable Oxygen Device.
It's like a can of hairspray...40 or more breaths. It can help you "get ahead" so to speak and, help with altitude adjustments! It is sold at Walmart by the vitamins and stuff. I love it!!

[treedonkey]

I did not know that there was a bike rout from Vail to Breckenridge. I'll look into that. I'd like to ride no more than 100 miles, and then only on a good road, mostly flat or dowhill. On trails and/or a hilly course - no more than 30 miles. Thanks for the suggestions.

At the very least, I can ride the last 20 miles via forest roads from Woodland Park to Palmer Lake and the Van can take the highway around to meet me there. I'll be sure to be prepared for proper hydration and sun protetction. Thanks.

[SheridanL]

You are welcome treedonkey. I just know that when you are traveling down I70 near or past Vail......you will want to jump out and get on the bike!!!!!!!!! It is pretty darned cool!!!! Lucky guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great time!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooooo jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fuzz]

As Sheridan mentioned, there is a paved bike path that connects Vail to Frisco/SilverthorneDillon/Breck/Keystone.

From the town of Vail itself, it's a 2,200' climb to Vail Pass at about 10,500'. Then it's downhill all the way from Vail Pass to the Frisco area at around 9,000'. There are some great views (especially on the Vail Pass - Copper stretch).

If you don't want to climb from Vail, you can pick up the path from Vail Pass (there's a rest area exit) and ride down to Copper, which is the next place for car access (if you want to switch riders). Then from Copper to Frisco for the last dowhill stretch.

Once in Frisco, the bike path splits off into many directions, to Breck, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone. Mostly flat in all directions.

For unpaved rides, you can ride UP the dirt trails at any of the ski areas (Vail, Copper right off I-70). There are tons of trails that go off I-70, but they will all require good climbing.

If you ride during the week, there's a good chance you won't encounter too many people. During the weekend is another matter.

[treedonkey]

EXCELLENT info, fuzz, thanks much! if you have any specific map coordinates or directions to any of those trailhead points, please advise. If not, I can probably figure out on my own.

[Fuzz]

A lot of this is from memory -- since I ride some of these a lot, I don't really pay too much attention to all the directions/turns/splits all the time. If you can get a hold of some trail maps (Summit County Trails from Latitude 40 for instance), that'll be best. Or even in Vail, you may be able to pick up a free bike trail guide (I know we have them here in Summit).

If you're picking up the trail from Vail, there are some trailhead parking lots off Exit 180 (East Vail). Ride the Frontage Road east, cross under I-70 and you'll catch the bike path from the Gore Creek campground.

If you're picking it up from Vail Pass, take exit 190 to the Vail Pass rest area. The path continues from the south-east corner.

The next access to the bike path is at Copper. The path drops you into Copper at Union Creek -- keep riding along the frontage road (Copper Road), cross Highway 91 (a light) and ride beyond the gas station to the big parking lot for the rider switch. The bike path continues past the end of the parking lot.

From Copper, the path takes you all the way down to Frisco. Once you get to Frisco, you'll see a turn-off to the left, over a bridge to a big parking lot. This is the west end of Main Street, right off I-70 where you can access via your car again.

If you want to continue on the bike path, keep riding on the path -- you can split right to continue on to Breck. Or stay left to get onto Main Street. Keep riding east on Main Street and ride into Frisco Marina (for bike-related stuff, you can stop in at Wilderness Sports on Main Street). The bike path splits again -- go right to Breck (you'll eventually cross Highway 9 at County Commons and join up with the path that comes from the earlier split-off for Breck) or go left to ride around Lake Dillon.

In Breck, the path goes all the way to the end of Ski Hill Road. For a workout, you can catch the Colorado Trail at Gold Hill (before Breck). Or, you can turn left onto Tiger Road, also before Breck -- Tiger Road turns into a dirt road after a while, and after even more, it turns into single-track (you can also catch the Colorado Trail from here). Once in Breck, you could ride through town, turn left onto Boreas Pass Road, and climb that. Although that may be a bit out of your way.

If you turn left at Frisco Marina and ride towards Dillon, once you ride over the dam, you'll see another split -- left to Silverthorne (nothing to see really) or stay on the path/right towards Keystone. There are several parking lots right off the bike path on Dillon Dam Road.

As you're riding towards Keystone, you can split right off the path near Summit Cove (right before the Swan Mountain Road light), ride on the road for a while (right onto Cove Blvd, right onto Royal Coachman Blvd) and catch the new bike path that goes above the lake to Swan Mountain Road. Also, in Keystone, you'll cross Keystone Road -- instead of continuing on the path, turn right onto Keystone Road and then another right onto Soda Ridge Road. After about half a mile, turn left onto Keystone Gulch Road -- it's a dirt road with a gentle climb that will take you up to the bases of Keystone's North Peak and Outback, from where you can keep climbing if you'd like.

[treedonkey]

That is most excellent info, fuzz, I wish I could give you quadruple hundred rep points or something. I won't even blame you if your directions fail and I get totally lost and fall into a deep chasm filled with scorpions. Thanks!

[SheridanL]

That's pretty funny treedonkey!!Haha!
Those really are great directions from Fuzz!!