Things to do in Boulder when you're not dead?

[Bob Ross]

Finished the Triple Bypass (barely!) and got to Boulder today. It’s raining, so we scouted some RideWithGPS routes in the car. Quick question for folks familiar w/ the area:

Are these shoulder-less roads — e.g., Boulder Canyon Road, Lefthand Canyon Road, etc. — safe for roadies?

Hard to tell whether it was because of the rain, or common sense, but we didn’t see any cyclists so couldn’t get a feel for whether these were smart routes for experienced riders, or just places someone managed to ride and lived to tell about it.

Plenty of Share The Road signage, so at least that’s encouraging.

We were thing of taking Boulder Canyon Rd to Hurricane Hill to Peak2Peak Hwy to...uh...somewhere.

[cloudguy]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Are these shoulder-less roads — e.g., Boulder Canyon Road, Lefthand Canyon Road, etc. — safe for roadies?

Definitely the rain keeping everyone inside. Lefthand canyon is fine shoulder-wise the whole way and is usually filled with roadies. Boulder Canyon is a little iffy in places shoulder-wise, but I ride it many weekdays during the year to get to Sugerloaf and Magnolia roads. Of the two roads mentioned, I would suggest Lefthand. Also, don't forget Flagstaff.

ps. Most people don't take Boulder Canyon to get to the Peak-to-Peak. Usually, its Lefthand or SH-7 out of Lyons.

[Hellgate]

All good canyons, but go north to Rist, Poudre, and over Horsetooth to Masonville. Rist will get you to Masonville too. Poudre all the way to Mootsland.

And back in the day we did dirt on the top of Rist with 21mm road tires, 42x23, with rim brakes on a steel frame, sporting non-areo levers and with toe clips! How I'm alive is beyond me...

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Yup..tour Celestial Seasonings too..beware the peppermint room..

One of our favorite places in Boulder area. Been there twice.

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

The missus and I are taking a vacation to Boulder CO next month. Never been. tbh the only reason we're going is that numerous friends and family have told us "Oh, you guys would love Boulder!"...but they haven't explicitly told us why.

That's because your friends think you're stoners.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by cloudguy

Most people don't take Boulder Canyon to get to the Peak-to-Peak. Usually, its Lefthand or SH-7 out of Lyons.

Ah, thanks. Question: from Boulder would you prefer a loop of Lefthand to P2P to SH-7 (Saint Vrains)...or the reverse?

Also, is there any place to stop for food & H2O in those areas?

Thanks.

[cloudguy]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Ah, thanks. Question: from Boulder would you prefer a loop of Lefthand to P2P to SH-7 (Saint Vrains)...or the reverse?

Also, is there any place to stop for food & H2O in those areas?

Thanks.

I usually go SH-7 to Raymond to Lefthand; that loop has more sustained gradient than the reverse, owing to a steep 1-mile grade coming off the P2P down Lefthand in the town of Ward. Raymond and Ward both have little stores with food that cater to riders. Also, there is a spring-fed watering spigot on that steep grade in Ward (right around mile-marker 16 in the lower section of the town) that I normally fill my bottles at - the water flows out non-stop and is really tasty IMHO. Its on the left hand side of the rode if your going downhill. Note: before you turn off of the P2P to Lefthand (Ward) there is a right turn that goes up to Brainard Lake recreation area. They just paved that road and the views up there are well worth the effort, so I would recommend doing it if you have the energy. Its about an extra 1000 feet of climbing and bikes are free to go through the pay-station. Looks like a great day for riding tomorrow. Have fun.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Finished the Triple Bypass (barely!) and got to Boulder today. It’s raining, so we scouted some RideWithGPS routes in the car. Quick question for folks familiar w/ the area:

Are these shoulder-less roads — e.g., Boulder Canyon Road, Lefthand Canyon Road, etc. — safe for roadies?

Hard to tell whether it was because of the rain, or common sense, but we didn’t see any cyclists so couldn’t get a feel for whether these were smart routes for experienced riders, or just places someone managed to ride and lived to tell about it.

Plenty of Share The Road signage, so at least that’s encouraging.

We were thing of taking Boulder Canyon Rd to Hurricane Hill to Peak2Peak Hwy to...uh...somewhere.

Lefthand canyon, because of less traffic, is OK. Boulder Canyon, because of lots more traffic, be careful...Most locals expect bikes, touristas, maybe not.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Ah, thanks. Question: from Boulder would you prefer a loop of Lefthand to P2P to SH-7 (Saint Vrains)...or the reverse?

Also, is there any place to stop for food & H2O in those areas?

Thanks.

Lefthand to P2P to lyons then come down. Jamestown and also down from P2P, places to stop..bring a jacket or something. You'll need it coming down.

[pncguy]

Also, keep in mind that the road from the Greenbriar Inn up to Ward is in excellent shape and has a huge shoulder because it has been rebuilt since the floods. For a good part of the ride there is enough room to ride two abreast and still be on the right side of the white line.

For some steep short climbs also look at Olde Stage and Lee Hill.

For flatter, but beautiful rides anything north/south between Broadway/36 on the west, County line road on the east, Highway 7 to the south and Hwy 34 to the north will be sure to please.