REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

First time visiting CO, what town

2406 Views 73 Replies 19 Participants Last post by weldo, Jun 25, 2009

bwheelin

Discussion Starter · Jun 22, 2009

I'm planning a trip to CO some time in late July. I've never been to Colorado.
I'd like to do a combo of some bike riding, maybe a hike, treking around, and just feeling out the area. I don't want to drive more than an hour and a 1/2 from Denver.
Any recommendations?
I was thinking Colorado Springs or Bolder.

1 - 20 of 74 Posts

El Salt

· #2 · Jun 22, 2009

Well, I'm not sure exactly how far from Denver, Crested Butte is, but I'll tell you, CB is about the most beautiful place I've ever cycled. And, the town itself is super nice too. Been out twice, on road trips, from SoCal. Of course because of altitude (snow) you have to plan it for the right time of year too.

Problem is though, every place I've been in CO (all on the western slope) is beautiful. You guys / gals are too lucky.

Let us know what you decide, and we'll need pix when you return.

dadat40

· #3 · Jun 22, 2009

Do you want to go to the mountains or stay in the city? you should hit up the front range forum to get good recomendations. 1.5 hrs out of denver will get you pretty far. keystone?breck?vail?Buena Vista? salida?Sterling?Eads?

BeanMan

· #4 · Jun 22, 2009

Eads can supply your needs, if you are into dry land wheat. If you're coming this far you'll want to go further than Boulder or the Springs. Neither are in the mountains. Some of the Front Range Boys should be able to help you with closer locations like Kenosha Pass. You really ought to try for Monarch Crest at Salida or Crested Butte..

bones get broke

· #5 · Jun 22, 2009

x2 for the CB recommendation. It's futher than 1.5hrs from Denver but you will not be disappointed.
If you want just about everything that's good (mtns, scenery, nightlife...) and bad (high prices, push for development....) about CO you'll get a great feel for it there.

forkboy

· #6 · Jun 22, 2009

dadat40 said:
1.5 hrs out of denver will get you pretty far.

1.5hrs will barely get you out of Denver.

It definitely won't get you to the Western Slope.

Check out the trails around the northern terminus of the Colorado Trail just outside Denver, and Fort Collins area has some really neat terrain...

dadat40

· #7 · Jun 22, 2009

forkboy said:
1.5hrs will barely get you out of Denver.

It definitely won't get you to the Western Slope.

Check out the trails around the northern terminus of the Colorado Trail just outside Denver, and Fort Collins area has some really neat terrain...

according to google maps vail is only 123mi away from DIA but you are right dependeing on traffic and time of day.

shmooove

· #8 · Jun 22, 2009

dadat40 said:
according to google maps vail is only 123mi away from DIA but you are right dependeing on traffic and time of day.

Vail is 1.5 hours from downtown Denver. (Lived around here a long time.) Obviously, depending on where you arestaying will add/subtract time off that.

CB will be like 3 hours from Denver. I agree, probably want to check out the Front Range forum for better advice of trails closer to the cities.

bwheelin

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 22, 2009

dadat40 said:
Do you want to go to the mountains or stay in the city? you should hit up the front range forum to get good recomendations. 1.5 hrs out of denver will get you pretty far. keystone?breck?vail?Buena Vista? salida?Sterling?Eads?

let's just say i'm traveling solo and don't want to be isolated.
i wouldn't be visiting CO strictly to do mtn biking, although it's on my list.

bwheelin

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 22, 2009

bones get broke said:
x2 for the CB recommendation. It's futher than 1.5hrs from Denver but you will not be disappointed.
If you want just about everything that's good (mtns, scenery, nightlife...) and bad (high prices, push for development....) about CO you'll get a great feel for it there.

i'll put CB on my list of possible places to visit. i hope it's not super quiet. i'm going solo and need other places and sights to keep my occupied after riding.

bwheelin

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 22, 2009

that crested butte looks like a nice trip. do you think i would be ok going to crested butte solo??? that's a resort or town, or both???

shoulderfu

· #12 · Jun 23, 2009

Go to Breck if time/distance is a issue.I live on the west slope,but was once a front ranger,and Breck has the best trails imo.Another great option is winter park!

bones get broke

· #13 · Jun 23, 2009

bwheelin said:
i'll put CB on my list of possible places to visit. i hope it's not super quiet. i'm going solo and need other places and sights to keep my occupied after riding.

Quiet??
A couple of winters ago I was drag racing trucks down Elk Ave riding a purple girls mtn.bike, while drunkards cheered from the adjacent bars.

I think CB is as quiet or loud as you make it.

SkaredShtles

· #14 · Jun 23, 2009

Crested Butte is not 3 hours from Denver. Plan on more like 4 to 4-1/2. Unless you like to REALLY haul a$$, have AWD, and don't mind washboard roads. Then you *might* be able to make it in 3-1/2 hours.

I'd still recommend going there. It'll blow pretty much EVERYTHING out of the water within 1-1/2 hours of Denver.

bwheelin

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 23, 2009

1) can i take bus service from denver to crested butte??
2) if i drove, is it a stressful drive meaning are there large ascents/descents and roads that ride along cliffs??? the reason i ask is i'm not good driving a car in those situations.

santacruzchick

· #16 · Jun 23, 2009

bwheelin said:
1) can i take bus service from denver to crested butte??
2) if i drove, is it a stressful drive meaning are there large ascents/descents and roads that ride along cliffs??? the reason i ask is i'm not good driving a car in those situations.

That's just a fact of driving in the mountains anywhere West of Denver, which is pretty much anywhere you want to go riding.
Sounds like sticking to the front range is more your bag. I don't think CB has bus service, maybe I'm wrong.

bones get broke

· #17 · Jun 23, 2009

You should be able to get a bus to Gunnison, getting a bike on said bus might be another story. Once in Gunny you can grab the free shuttle to CB (unless that doesn't run in the summer).

Just sack up and drive there. The passes aren't that bad and it's not like you will be forced to drive 60mph the whole time. Just take it easy and enjoy the scenery, you ARE on vacation after all.

SkaredShtles

· #18 · Jun 23, 2009

bones get broke said:
<snip>
Just sack up and drive there. The passes aren't that bad and it's not like you will be forced to drive 60mph the whole time. Just take it easy and enjoy the scenery, you ARE on vacation after all.

This is good advice. But be advised - it WILL take over 5 hours to get there like this.

dcp_nz

· #19 · Jun 23, 2009

Dunno where you are coming from but if you've never been to Colorado before chances are its a fairly decent trip already in which case man up or stay home.
IMHO no point coming to Colorado and staying on the front range - get west or don't bother.

Crested Butte is as good a recommendation as you're going to get for July. There is plenty to do there aside from biking - its too early for wildflowers although all the rain this spring may mess up usual timing but hiking, scenery, mountains and town are second to none and the fishing ain't bad either. Taylor pass is not a bad drive albeit on dirt and washboard last time I went over.

If you like a little more sophisticated (some would say snotty) you can get to Aspen/Snowmass in ~ 3 1/2 hrs from Denver (longer if you drive slowly over Independence pas which is steep, narrow with falloff or go around I-70 way).

Breck and other places on the I-70 corridor are fine but no where near as good as getting to somewhere like CB or Aspen (or further afield to Telluride, Durango etc.)

If you do decide to stay closer to Denver I'd say Salida is your best bet.

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bwheelin

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 23, 2009

SkaredShtles said:
This is good advice. But be advised - it WILL take over 5 hours to get there like this.

Thanks for the info. I can do 2 hours tops, but 5 hours?
No thanks.
I would love to take a train or bus up there, but I'll have to check into it.

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