On a recent vacation to Colorado my wife and I explored the Grand Lake and Granby areas, cycling, hiking and “jeeping” on gravel roads, and trails. The Aspen trees were at peak golden color.
Staying in the Grand Lake and Granby area, we made forays along the headwaters of the Colorado River, and up into Rocky Mountain National Park (with sightings of elk and moose).
If you have plans to travel to Colorado, or to another state, and want to do some cycling and other outdoor activities, here are some ways to find what you need to get started on your adventure.
Renting a road, MTB or e-bike in Colorado is usually no problem. I opted for a mountain bike to explore gravel roads, renting it from Two Pines Supply in Granby. They also supply almost everything else for outdoor adventures. The store owner was a catalog of good advice. Of course, riding at 8,900 foot elevation in the Rockies was a serious challenge to regular cycling in Florida at 135 feet above sea level. But the spectacular views made it worth it.
Colorado has some excellent, well maintained paved trails for cycling and walking in many areas. In the Rockies, paved trails connect between Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, Vail, and Avon. The Winter Park area as well has some paved, gravel and MTB trails. You can search online for more.
For gravel rides in Colorado check out “The Dirty Roads” website. It provides “a curated collection of Colorado’s finest gravel & dirt road bicycle rides”.
Sources to check out wherever you travel:
Visit a local bike shop. Ask for an honest evaluation of local trails or roads. Tell the shop staff your level of fitness, the type of ride you are looking for and the type of ride you’d like to avoid.
Visit a local welcome center. Inquire about biking and hiking trails. Ask about the two or three most scenic routes/trails. Ask for maps to guide you.
Visit a state or national park services office for maps and recommendations based upon what you are looking for. They can usually advise you on areas to avoid or the most picturesque areas to take in.
Before you travel, ask your cycling friends or your local bike shop if they have recommendations of routes they may have ridden in the state you plan to visit.
A couple of good online resources for finding cycling and hiking trails in the U.S. are AllTrails and TrailLink.
Search online, using AI or using Google maps, to point you to dozens of options.
Wherever you go consider taking a day off from cycling and enjoy a half or full day trip to see the natural beauty only accessible by hiking trails. Or visit towns in the area, to enjoy local food, beverages and points of interest.
Other cycling resources out there?
Have you found other sources that are helpful for finding cycling routes, roads or trails across the U.S.? Of course, the apps Ride with GPS and Strava are good sources. Any other sources you’d recommend? You can share them with other cyclists by leaving a comment below.
Wherever we go as cycling enthusiasts, there are likely some good rides to be discovered. Just ask around.
Ride often. Be safe. Enjoy exploring on a bike.
Bruce
Editor | Publisher