City Escape: Cheyenne, WY
When it’s time to get out of Wyoming’s capital city, this short foray south into Colorado features great scenery and some intoxicating winding roads. For just a single-day ride, this Cheyenne City Escape is remarkably diverse. You will roll through both arid grasslands and alpine forests. The roads themselves are equally varied, with long straights providing “forever” views of the surrounding landscape, and tight, pine tree-lined twisties offering plenty of thrills. This is a three-season ride due to high annual snowfall in the winter.
Length
Approximately 212 miles
Meet-up Spot
Starbucks, 2111 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY
Lunch Stop
The Forks Mercantile and Saloon restaurant offers up friendly service and good food. It is also the last chance to gas up before Laramie, WY. Find it at 17685 US-287 #1, Livermore, CO.
Scenery 5 out of 5
No matter your taste in scenery, you are certain to find something to your liking on this route. Grasslands and high deserts characterize the start and finish of the escape, with a healthy dose of mountain forests west of Fort Collins, CO. To cap it off, much of the route is flanked by rivers and lakes.
Difficulty 4 out of 5
This is a contrasting route, so it is important not to carry the speed of the long straight sections into the technical curves of Poudre Canyon. Riders also need be aware of the area’s high deer population.
Road Conditions 4 out of 5
Road conditions are as varied as the scenery on this route. The straight sections leaving and returning to Cheyenne are smooth and well-paved. The winding road through Poudre Canyon is a bit more cracked and “tar snake” asphalt repairs are frequent. This should be watched out for, especially on hot days.
Points of Interest
Ten Bears Winery
This small winery is a nice stop for wine lovers in search of local northern Colorado varieties. The intimate facility is surrounded by expansive views of the vineyard and farmlands.
Lory State Park
This beautiful state park is a great place to stretch the legs, eat a packed lunch, or just sightsee. Easy trails with fantastic views make this a popular northern Colorado destination.
Picnic Rock Natural Area
This is a great rest stop in the scenic Poudre Canyon area and is a popular site for picnicking, fishing, rafting, and hiking.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Named after the famous sportscaster and Wyoming native, this state park is a nice last stop before completing this City Escape. The park boasts a total of three reservoirs: Granite, Crystal and North Crow.