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:Estes_Park_Loop.gpx (To download, right click link and select "Save Link As..." to save it to your computer. There are many things you can do with a GPX file once it is on your computer. We assume you will know what to do with them based on your particular use for them [e.g. in GPS-based navigation devices, making maps, etc.]).
