Why Cyclists Love Boulder County
Boulder gets around 300 days of sunshine a year. The town sits at 5,430 feet, which is high enough that altitude training actually works but low enough that you won't be gasping on every ride. Bike lanes and shoulders are the norm, not the exception. And from downtown, you're 10 minutes of pedaling from the base of a serious climb.
There's a reason pro teams train here. The mix of long canyon climbs, flat prairie roads, and high-altitude loops means you can build a full training week without driving anywhere. On any given morning you'll share Flagstaff Road with kit-clad riders doing intervals before their 9 a.m. meetings.
The Climbs
Flagstaff Mountain
This is the local test piece. The road kicks up right from Chautauqua Park and doesn't let up for five miles of steep, winding switchbacks. Views of the Flatirons open up on every turn. You'll see riders doing repeats here before work on any weekday morning. It hurts every time, and that's the point.
Lefthand Canyon
A long, steady grade through a shaded canyon with a creek running alongside the road. The lower miles are forgiving. Above Jamestown, the gradient ramps up and the shade thins out. Ward sits at the top, a tiny, strange mountain town with a general store and not much else. It's worth stopping before you turn around.
Sunshine Canyon
Steeper than Lefthand and narrower in spots, but it gets less traffic. The road twists through dense pine forest and eventually connects to Gold Hill if you keep going. Descending requires attention because some of the corners tighten unexpectedly.
Lee Hill
Short and punchy. The kind of climb you can fit into a weekday lunch ride and still make it back to your desk. It pitches up to double digits in a few spots. Good for building power when you don't have time for a canyon.
The Loops
Nelson Road / N 63rd / Hygiene Loop
The classic flat-to-rolling loop north of Boulder. Farm roads, open sky, Longs Peak on the horizon. It's great for base miles or tempo work. One thing you can count on: the headwind on the return leg. It's always there, usually from the east, and it's always stronger than you expected.
Peak-to-Peak Highway
This is the big day out. Start from Boulder, climb Boulder Canyon to Nederland, then ride the Peak-to-Peak south toward Rollinsville or north toward Estes Park. You'll spend most of the ride above 8,000 feet. Even in July, bring arm warmers and a vest. It can be 50 degrees up there when it's 90 in town. The views of the Continental Divide make the suffering worthwhile.
Morgul-Bismarck Loop
South of Boulder through Superior and Marshall on roads made famous by the old Coors Classic stage race. The terrain rolls constantly with a few punchy climbs and some fast descents where you can let the bike run. There's a good mix of open road and residential stretches. It's a solid weekday ride if you've got a couple hours.
Tips
- Watch for afternoon headwinds. Wind from the east picks up most afternoons, especially on the plains north of town. Morning rides are calmer.
- Carry layers above 8,000 feet. Temperature can drop 20 degrees between Boulder and the Peak-to-Peak. A vest stuffed in a jersey pocket weighs nothing and saves you on descents.
- Stay alert on canyon descents. Boulder drivers are generally aware of cyclists, but the canyon roads are narrow and winding. Hold your line, don't cross the center, and keep your speed in check on blind corners.
- Ride early in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily from June through August. Plan to be off exposed ridgelines by 1 p.m.
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