Three days in Boulder - What would you ride?

[apple]

Will be there for work and have a few days to kill. I've spent time there before riding, so know it generally. So I can get three rides in this time. I was thinking:


Idaho Springs up Mt. Evans and back (55 mi, 6800ft)


Boulder -> Lyons -> Ward -> Nederland -> Boulder (70 mi, 5700ft)


Any other suggestions? I will probably be wiped after these two, so maybe something a little easier. Sometimes I head to Estes Park and bike around there, sometimes I go up Pikes Peak.

[gdw]

When will you be visiting and what bike are you bringing?

[apple]

late-March, road bike only.

[MadRocketSci]

road up mt evans will be closed.

Flagstaff, as far up as you care to go, esp after hitting the dirt...

[gdw]

If you don't mind dirt roads you can ride up 4 Mile Canyon to Gold Hill, drop down Lickskillet rd, climb up to the Peak to Peak be way of Ward, ride it through Nederland, and head back to Boulder on Magnolia or the county road which leads back to Flagstaff mountain. Lots of climbing, great views, very little traffic.

[mgm777]

late-March, road bike only.

Mt. Evans road won't be open in late March.

[mgm777]

1. Boulder=>Lee Hill->Left Hand Canyon->Ward->Peak to Peak Hwy->Raymond->Lyons->back to Boulder

[Louis]

Quite a bit of discussion of Boulder area routes in this thread.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=155386

[ColnagoFan]

If you don't mind dirt roads you can ride up 4 Mile Canyon to Gold Hill, drop down Lickskillet rd, climb up to the Peak to Peak be way of Ward, ride it through Nederland, and head back to Boulder on Magnolia or the county road which leads back to Flagstaff mountain. Lots of climbing, great views, very little traffic.

Could you do those roads on a road bike? Assuming a 25c tire size, or would you "want" more rubber?

[Lovetoclimb]

Ride up to Gold Hill, have a beer and muffin from the general store

[Ralph]

Watch the weather. You might be taking snow shoes.

[gdw]

You should be able to ride them all although the county road to Flagstaff has some sandy sections and areas which can be muddy. The weather in late March is unpredictable and there might still be snow there as well.

[oldpotatoe]

1. Boulder=>Lee Hill->Left Hand Canyon->Ward->Peak to Peak Hwy->Raymond->Lyons->back to Boulder

Or once on Peak to Peak, over to Ned, down Boulder Canyon to Boulder.

[likebikes]

there will be lots of snow left then, especially in a high snow year like this one. and who knows what the spring will bring, snowfall wise.
better to bring skiis instead.

[TexasJohn]

Warm up to the northeast to Hygiene, then west to Hwy36 and up the hill to Jamestown or Ward, then turn around and spin back down, right turn over Old Stage, and back into north Boulder. Stop at Amante for a coffee before heading back to Boulder Beer for a well earned local brew.