Breckenridge Loop Ride
Miles: Approximately. 179
Day: Sunday
Duration of Ride: Total Time - Pictures, Fuel and Food 7.0 hrs. Driving Time - 4.0 hrs.
Description of Ride: This ride will start by taking you out US 285.  Mostly 4 lanes, US 285 is known for its sweeping corners and the ability to get a good head of steam and really cook. On 285 you will find great curves and elevation changes with Crow Hill, Kenosha Pass and South Park.

This ride offers a wide selection of views and riding, from old mining towns to ski resorts, mountain passes, sweeping valleys and South Park, the town recently made famous by the cable TV show of the same name. It's definitely a fun ride.

We take 285 to Fairplay where we top off our fuel tanks. Heading up Hwy. 9 over Hoosier Pass and into Breckenridge, for an intimate lunch.

After lunch and a walk around town, we leave Breckenridge continuing on Hwy 9 toward I-70. Next we look for Swan Lake Road through Dillon with a trip over Loveland Pass where we stop for pictures.

Back on I-70 we look for the C470 junction and back to the hotel.

Pictures of this ride from previous years can be found in our photo gallery. "2003" "2005" & "End of Summer"

Additional information here for "Breckenridge"

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com

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Link to PDF Map File

Curves & Canyons Ride
Miles: 158
Day: Tuesday
Duration of Ride: Total Time - Pictures, Fuel and Food 6.0 hrs. Driving Time - 3.7 hrs.
Description of Ride: The name of this ride says it all. It showcases a series of canyons just northwest of Denver. We will run up and down the canyons in a fabulous combination of curve after curve. You will see lots of twisties, elevation changes, hair pin corners and panoramic views. What a great way to experience the canyons of Colorado.  

We will follow C470 around to the foothills and Golden.  From Golden, we will be heading up Clear Creek Canyon to 119 where we go through Black Hawk a popular mountain gambling area. We pick up the Peak to Peak Highway for a few miles and come down Coal Creek Canyon to Hwy 93 and then right to Golden Gate Canyon.  Up Golden Gate where we will take a short break by the lake in Golden Gate Park. Continuing up the Canyon to 119 taking a right for your next stop in Nederland CO to grab a bite to eat at a nice little restaurant, The Black Forest Inn and grab some fuel. Taking a right out of Nederland and back to the canyons once again, you'll take Boulder Canyon back to to 93, 6 and C470 heading back to the hotel.

No worries about the pace. It will be a fine group pace while enjoying the scenery and taking plenty of time for pictures. We ask that you don't exceed your comfort level. Please take your time and ride safe. And remember the Ride name, if you don't like the twisties, this is not the ride for you.

Pictures of this ride can be found here "2005" and other galleries in our photo gallery.

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com

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Link to PDF Map File

Garden of the God's Ride
Miles:
Day: Sunday
Duration of Ride: Total Time - Pictures, Fuel and Food ? hrs. Driving Time - ? hrs.
Description of Ride:

For this ride we will keep you off the super slab as much as possible.  You will enjoy a relaxing ride down Hwy 83 to Colorado Springs and have plenty of time to enjoy Garden of the Gods,

This ride, designed and led by Grandpa will give you the best of all worlds. Garden of the God's, scenic back roads, canyons and Horse Power Hill. Enjoying the scenery, as well as riding the infamous hill. This will be a fun ride meandering around old mountain towns and great scenery.

On this 6 hour ride you will go through historic mountain towns like Sedalia, Deckers, Buffalo and Pine riding twisties carved through the Pike National Forest with Buffalo Creek and the South Platte River at your side.

The infamous and world renowned HORSE POWER HILL. Some think it's best experienced at a spirited pace and not take time to enjoy the scenery.

This version will enjoy the scenery from the seat of your bike and NOT FOR THE INEXPERIENCED RIDER. That's why this year, we are offering two versions of this ride. If you want a short version of the ride at a spirited pace, this is the ride for you. To see the exceptional scenery and to enjoy this ride at a slower pace, see our "Ride with a View."

If this is what you want, pick up a map and follow along. Enjoy the ride but don't exceed your skill and comfort level. Don't be afraid to slow down, remember Stupid Hurts!

The infamous and world renowned HORSE POWER HILL is best experienced at a spirited pace.
On this 5 1/2 hour ride you will go through Garden of the God's, historic mountain towns like Woodland Park, Deckers, Pine, and Buffalo seeing twisties carved through the Pike National Forest with Buffalo Creek and the South Platte at your side. From Pine you head to US 285 for a brisk canyon ride back to the hotel.

Pictures of this ride can be found here "2005" and other galleries in our photo gallery.

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com

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Independence Pass Ride
Miles: 408 miles
Day: Monday
Duration of Ride: Total Time Picture, Fuel, & Food 10.7 hrs. Driving Time -  7.2 hrs.
Description of Ride: Admittedly a long ride, but you will not be disappointed.

This ride has it all... You will see some of the most spectacular mountain scenery, panoramic views and historic towns in Colorado.

It gives you every type of riding available from narrow mountain roads to sweeping canyons. This is a spectacular ride! You will see some of the most spectacular mountain scenery that Colorado has to offer.

We will leave the La Quinta going C-470 to US 285. Heading out through Turkey Creek Canyon through Buena Vista over Independence Pass and into Aspen. Spend some time in Aspen to eat and walk the town, looking for Don Johnson and Goldie Hawn. From Aspen head for Glenwood Springs. and back on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, one of the most amazing and spectacular canyon rides you will ever take.

If you have any questions on this route or ride email them to vtx2up@aol.com

Link to Leadville history
Link to Aspen history  

Pictures of Ride

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Mt. Evans / Black Hawk Ride
Miles: 139
Day:  Sunday
Duration of Ride: Total time - Pictures, Fuel and Food  7.5 hrs. Driving Time - 5.3 hrs
Description of Ride:  Kiss the Sky on this ride. You can't get any higher than this, with an enjoyment factor in the fourteens. 14K that is!

We will start at the La Quinta Hotel taking US 285 to the Morrison Road exit to head up Bear Creek Canyon to Evergreen.  At Squaw Pass Road, we will make a left and enjoy a beautiful ride packed with twisties up to Echo Lake Lodge for refreshments and a brief rest stop.

At the Echo Lake Lodge, we will continue on to over 14,000 ft. to the top of Mt. Evans! (Toll $3.00 p/p)  What's at the top you may ask? Just a parking lot, a rest stop, some mountain goats and a breathtaking view of the world that you just don't find in many places! Be advised, this road to the top of Mt Evans is narrow and steep, carrying a lot of traffic, both vehicle and bicycles.

After all the pictures are taken we will head back down the mountain to Idaho Springs for fuel and head to Black Hawk for lunch and a brief walk around town. After lunch we take a quick scoot out 119 to Golden Gate Canyon before heading back to La Quinta.

Pictures of this ride from previous years can be found in the photo gallery. "2003" "2004" and "2005"

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com

Link to Mt. Evans

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Link to PDF Map File

Pikes Peak Ride
Miles: 204
Day: Monday
Duration of Ride: Total time - Pictures and Stops 7.7 hrs. Driving Time - 6.0 hrs.
Description of Ride: Pikes Peak is the easternmost fourteen thousand foot peak in the United States, located 37 miles west of the city of Colorado Springs.

Pikes Peak is a very special place and now that the road is paved there is no reason not to ride to the top. Did you know that Katharine Lee Bates was moved to write the words of "America the Beautiful" in July, 1893, after having traveled to the top of Pikes Peak on a carriage ride? The words began to come to her while admiring the view from Pikes Peak, and she wrote the song out that night at her hotel in Colorado Springs.

We leave the hotel taking  Hwy. 285 to Pine Valley Rd. Here is where you see the South Platte River and ride through several mountain communities. After a brief stop at the scenic pull off you head in the scenic direction (backwards) over Horse Power Hill into Woodland Park. From there to Pikes Peak for a brief stop at the summit. Leaving Pikes Peak and heading into Manito Springs for lunch and fuel. From Manito Springs heading for I-25 and back to the hotel.

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com

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Link to PDF Map File

Trail Ridge Loop
Miles: Approx. 268 miles
Day: Tuesday
Duration of Ride:  Total Time - Picture, Fuel, & Food 9 1/2 Hrs. Driving Time - 6 Hrs.
Stops: Nederland, Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road Summit, Granby, Winter Park
Description of Ride:  We’re going to the top of Trail Ridge Road again, however this year, we’ll go down the back side and over the Continental Divide.

Departing from the hotel, we will head toward Golden via C470.  We’ll pass through Blackhawk and Central City on Hwy 6.  Pick up Hwy 119 into the trendy mountain town of Nederland.  This is home to the “Frozen Dead Guy”.  You’re probably better off not asking!!  We will continue north on the “Peak to Peak” Scenic Byway into Estes Park.   We’ll have an early lunch, get some fuel, then enter the Rocky Mountain National Park, (park entrance fee of $10 per person required).  A climb to the summit of Trail Ridge Road will follow.  We’ll continue down the west side of Trail Ridge Road, cross the Continental Divide and into the Grand Lake.  We’ll continue south on Hwy 34 into Granby, then pick up Hwy 40 into Winter Park.  We’ll have a brief stop for fuel and snacks, then up and over Berthoud Pass.  We’ll get on I-70 and head back toward Denver, south on C470, and back to the hotel.

If you have any questions on this route or ride email them to info@coloradovtxride.com

Link to Trail Ridge Road
Link to Peak-to-Peak Highway
Link to Estes Park
Link to Winter Park

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Carter Lake
(A Self Directed Ride)
Miles: Approx. 167
Day and Time: All Days
Duration of Ride: 3.5 hours
Description of Ride:
This route is designed to give you a break from those narrow mountain roads and aggressive twisties.  

It will direct you toward Loveland, Boulder and Carter Lake via some great less aggressive back country mountain roads and then to I-25 for the highway ride back to the hotel. If you prefer the back roads over the highway, just turn around and reverse your direction. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised how different the same road looks from the reverse direction.

You will have no problems finding fuel in the Lyons or Loveland areas.

Carter Lake is the second largest reservoir in northeastern Colorado and is the principal storage site for the Colorado-Big Thompson River. If you chose to drive into the reservoir a parks fee is required. Information on Carter Lake can be found here...

Link to Carter Lake

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to  vtx2up@aol.com

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Deer Creek Canyon
(A Self Directed Ride)
Miles: Approx. 125
Day and Time: All Days
Duration of Ride: 3.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This route is designed to give you a break from those narrow mountain roads and aggressive twisties. Geared to less aggressive canyon riding with no steep drop offs to concern you. 

This ride will direct you a bit west via C470 through Deer Creek Canyon for some serene canyon riding and head you south for quiet back country roads, bringing you back to the hotel via Hwy83. 

You say there is nothing special about this ride and route? Guess again…quiet canyons, back country roads, this is a ride you can enjoy without having to work at it. Wonderful serene little scoot.

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to vtx2up@aol.com  

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Evergreen / Conifer
(A Self Directed Ride)
Miles: Approx. 82
Day and Time: All Days
Duration of Ride: 2.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This is one of our favorite evening rides either to clear the mind after a long day or just a quick little scoot to dinner.

In this ride you are directed out C470 to Morrison Colorado. This is a fun little mountain town to walk around or eat Mexican food and great Margaritas at the Morrison Inn. These 32 oz. Margaritas are not to be enjoyed on two wheels! Just down the road is Red Rocks Park where you can ride through the park looking at fantastic natural red rock formations.

Head out Hwy74 through Kittredge to Evergreen where you will find the infamous Little Bear Restaurant and bar. Little Bear is known for its wild nights and great music.

From Evergreen to Conifer and on to US 285 a great canyon carving experience that you see on many of our featured rides. US 285 is a great road known for its seeping corners and the ability to get a good head of steam and really cook.

If you have any questions on this ride or route email them to  vtx2up@aol.com 

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Two Canyons
(A Self Directed Ride)
Miles: Approx. 121
Day and Time: All Days
Duration of Ride: 3.0 hours
Description of Ride:
This is one of our favorite evening rides either to clear the mind after a long day or just a quick little scoot to dinner. 

In this ride you are directed out C470 to Hwy 58 and up a wonderful little Canyon called Golden Gate. You will find great twisties to be enjoyed at your own pace and comfort level. Now on 119 and a few miles, you hang a right and head back in Coal Creek Canyon. Coal Creek must be experienced with both hands on the bar! You will find tight hair pins and fantastic curves to 93 and then head on back to the hotel.

These two canyons are part of the ole favorite Curves and Canyons Ride we offer each year.

You will find many places to pull of, take in the mountain air and look around.  

If you have any questions on this route or ride email them to vtx2up@oal.com

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