Anyone here in Colorado?

[cloudguy]

I'm not so sure about this one. The ascent of Sunshine turns to dirt/gravel at about the halfway point and its pretty steep in sections with loose dirt making it even more difficult. Also, the descent from Gold Hill to Left Hand is really steep as you can see on the profile - I've never done it, and I'm not sure if its all that popular of a descent route.

My suggested alternative would be to ride to Gold Hill by way of Boulder Canyon to Four Mile Canyon to Salinas - this also has dirt but its more manageable on a road bike IMHO. Your descent will then be down Sunshine Canyon. Or if you're on good form, you could ride from Gold Hill to the Peak-to-Peak Hwy to Ward and then down Left Hand.

[mgm777]

[QUOTE=cloudguy;1791267]

My suggested alternative would be to ride to Gold Hill by way of Boulder Canyon to Four Mile Canyon to Salinas - this also has dirt but its more manageable on a road bike IMHO. Your descent will then be down Sunshine Canyon. Or if you're on good form, you could ride from Gold Hill to the Peak-to-Peak Hwy to Ward and then down Left Hand.

^This! I concur. This route would be my choice.

[Neil]

Thanks for the advice chaps - like this?

https://www.strava.com/routes/2867135

[xjoex]

Whatever you do, do not ride Boulder Canyon, it has way too much traffic and folks who I would call not bike friendly. Sunshine, Gold Hill, etc are all awesome.

Have fun!

-Joe

[mgm777]

He can ride the bike path from Eben Fine park, that parallels Boulder Canyon, to the end of the path, then just cross the road (Boulder Canyon) and proceed to begin the Four Mile to Salinas segment.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by xjoex

Whatever you do, do not ride Boulder Canyon, it has way too much traffic and folks who I would call not bike friendly. Sunshine, Gold Hill, etc are all awesome.

Have fun!

-Joe

Agree. I go up Boulder Canyon once a year, up to Ned, then over to Eldora BUT during the week..less traffic tourists but yes, even with a shoulder, can be 'busy'. Safer than 93 tho toward Golden..did that once, never again.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by mgm777

He can ride the bike path from Eben Fine park, that parallels Boulder Canyon, to the end of the path, then just cross the road (Boulder Canyon) and proceed to begin the Four Mile to Salinas segment.

That'd be marked Boulder Creek Path on the map?

[Neil]

Ici: https://www.strava.com/routes/2867135

[mgm777]

Originally Posted by Neil

That'd be marked Boulder Creek Path on the map?

Yes. That is correct.

[cloudguy]

Don't agree. I ride up Boulder Canyon to Magnolia/Sugerloaf at least twice or more a week (Mon-Fri) and I'm still here typing. There are sections with little to no shoulder, but its mostly OK. Its not a joy, by any stretch, but its not certain death.

[Neil]

Rode a round a little after work, the highway 36 bike path is going to be handy when it's all the way to Boulder: https://www.strava.com/activities/351267825

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Neil

Rode a round a little after work, the highway 36 bike path is going to be handy when it's all the way to Boulder: https://www.strava.com/activities/351267825

Yup, but OMG it's gonna be boring.

[Neil]

True- but for a commute it looks useful.

Thanks to Herb I had a great ride this morning just outside Boulder:

https://www.strava.com/activities/353911601

[Neil]

[Scuzzer]

Nice looking route. I would have taken McCaslin to 128 on the return trip to avoid the crappy 36 corridor and also to experience the hump and wall. It's a bit dicey crossing 36 on McCaslin these days but we've been successful using the blocked off construction zones on the weekends.