Estes Park Loop

Total Travel: 92 mi, 3 hrs

Description: (This will be a guided ride for the International Ride-In.)

Leg 1: 30 mi, 45 mins; enjoy the amazing Big Thompson River Canyon going up US-34 to Estes Park in the morning. Drive slowly and take lots of pictures! You can thank us later. Stop at the Estes Park Visitor Center for a leg stretcher and bathroom break. Consider taking an hour walking into downtown Estes Park to sightsee or shop.

Leg 2: 35 mi, 1 hr; avoid downtown Estes Park traffic by taking a right turn out of the visitor center. Past Lake Estes (east edge of town before the road turns steeply uphill), take a right on Mall Road, zig-zag across US-36 and take Fish Creek Road all the way to CO-7 (Peak-to-Peak Hwy) at the south edge of Estes Park. Heading south of Peak-to-Peak Hwy, take your time and enjoy the views of several "14-ers" in the Continental Divide as you head downhill to Lyons for lunch at one of our favorite BBQ restaurants: Smokin' Dave's BBQ, in Lyons.

Leg 3: 24 mi, 35 min; head east from Lyons and take "the scenic route" back to Fairgrounds Park in Loveland.

Caution: Watch for wildlife in the city of Estes Park, especially in the early morning. And as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

Notes:

1. From Visitors Center, consider walk into Estes Park along the river path.

GPX File: Available to members only.



Peak-to-Peak Figure 8

Total Travel: 138 mi, 4 hrs

Description: (This will be a guided ride for the International Ride-In.)

Leg 1: 84 mi, 2.5 hrs; this leg takes "the scenic route" via Estes Park, through Ward, down Left-Hand Canyon to Smokin' Dave's BBQ for lunch.

Leg 2: 54 mi, 1.5 hrs; go back through Estes Park, crossing Lake Estes, passing by the famous Stanley Hotel, and then enjoying "the back route" back to Loveland again via Devil's Gulch Road.

Leg 2 has an optional popular stop in Glen Haven at the Glen Haven General Store for their famous cinnamon rolls (or a variety of fudge) and coffee!

Caution: tight switchbacks right after pass between Estes Park and Glen Haven. And as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

Notes:

1. Tight switchback from Estes Park down to Glenhaven.

GPX File: Available to members only



Masonville Loop

Total Travel: 85 mi, 3 hrs

Description: (This will be a guided ride for the International Ride-In.)

Leg 1: 53 mi, 2 hrs; this leg encompasses some of the best of Colorado's Mother Nature that is close to Loveland and Fort Collins. It has some steep twisties and and a grand view of the mountains followed by a stop at Vern's Place for a nice rest and meal.

Leg 2: 32 mi, 1 hr; enjoy a grand view of Horsetooth Reservoir, ending with an easy route back to Loveland.

Leg 2 is also popular in the Winter months when the roads at higher elevations may be slippery and/or covered with snow.

Caution: as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

GPX File: Avaliable to members only.

All the Canyons

Total Travel: 240 mi, 7 hrs

Description:

Leg 1: 116 mi, 3 hrs; jet down quickly to Golden, and head up US-6 to Black Hawk, back down Golden Gate Canyon, then up Coal Creek Canyon and have a lovely outdoor lunch at Wondervu Cafe in Wondervu.

Leg 2: 124 mi, 4 hrs; within a mile of Wondervu, enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Continental Divide you will ever see! Follow Coal Creek Canyon Drive to CO-119 (Peak-to-Peak Hwy) and turn north to Nederland and head down hill again to Boulder. Head north to Altona and back up Lefthand Canyon to Ward and north again on CO-119. When CO-119 meets CO-7 (a "T" intersection), turn right to Lyons and then head back up the hill to Estes Park and finally down hill again back to Loveland.

This is a REALLY long route, and you can, of course, cut it short at any point and head back to Loveland.

Caution: as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

GPX File: Available to members only.



Peak-to-Peak to Black Hawk

Total Travel: 182 mi, 5 hrs

Description:

Leg 1: 91 mi, 2.5 hrs; ride to Black Hawk from Estes Park alongside the Continental Divide and dine at the famous Saratoga Casino All-You-Can-Eat Buffet.

Leg 2: 91 mi, 2.5 hrs; enjoy the Continental Divide again from the other direction. The views never get old.

Caution: as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

GPX File: Available to members only.



Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to Walden

Total Travel: 263 mi, 7 hrs

Description:

Leg 1: 94 mi, 3 hrs; enjoy an early morning trip through Rocky Mountain National Park. Dine in Granby or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at any rest stop or picnic area. There are several.

Leg 2: 169 mi, 4 hrs; head up CO-125 to Walden and then head east into the Cache la Poudre Canyon, through Fort Collins and back down to Loveland again.

Caution: Watch for wildlife near the road in Rocky Mountain National Park. And as always, watch for sand and pea-sized gravel on the roads, especially in the Spring.

Notes:

1. Check https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

2. If you arrive at RMNP before 9AM, no timed entry needed or can do route in reverse to arrive at west side after 2PM (again no timed entry required).

3. Nice stop at Alpine Visitor Center near top of Trail Ridge Road

GPX File: Available to members only.

Rocky Mountain National Park Entry (2024)

•  To travel into / through Rocky Mountain National Park, a Timed-Entry pass is required between 9AM and 2PM. If visiting Bear Lake, a Timed-Entry-Plus-Bear-Lake-Road pass is needed between 5AM and 6PM.
• Timed-Entry passes are not available in person at Rocky Mountain National Park entrance stations or visitor centers (only online).
• 40 percent of available timed entry permits are released on Recreation.gov the night before a chosen entry date. These timed entry permits will be available each day beginning at 7 p.m. MDT.
• In addition, a National Park Pass or Entrance Fee is required any time you enter the park. There is no limit to how long you stay in the park once you're in.

Full details are here: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

To make a reservation for a timed entry permit, visit Recreation.gov or by:

•  Using the Recreation.gov mobile app

•  Calling the reservation line: 877-444-6777

•  Calling the reservation line (International): 606-515-6777

•  Calling the reservation line (TDD): 877-833-6777

Summary:

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