City Escape: Denver, Colorado
Dual sport Colorado in a day! The twisty paved roads of Jarre Canyon connect to the sandy forest of Rampart Range and return you to pavement among the stunning rock formations of the Garden of the Gods before soaring 14,115 paved feet of elevation on Pikes Peak. Ride June through October, barring freak storms!
Length
Approximately 184 miles
Meet-up spot
O’Brien’s Café, 5585 Hwy 85, Sedalia, CO, (303) 688-4672.
Scenery (5 out of 5)
Historic towns among wooded areas combined with breathtaking panoramas from atop Pikes Peak, North America’s most visited mountain summit.
Traffic (4 out of 5)
Light, but can be congested at the entrance of Rampart Range. It quickly thins out a couple of miles in.
Difficulty (2 out of 5)
Limited sightlines and tight curves with optional, more challenging detours. A great way to get comfortable riding in sand.
Road conditions (3 out of 5)
Conditions on Rampart Range Road vary based on rain, or lack thereof, with either packed washboard or loose sand.
Lunch stop
Wines of Colorado offers creekside dining with great burgers and local liquids. 8045 US 24, Cascade, CO, (719) 684-0900
Points of Interest
Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs
Manitou Cliff DwellingsManitou Springs
Cave of the Winds Colorado Springs
Miramont Castle MuseumManitou Springs