Although this may seem like a short ride, it will take you a little bit of time with all the twisties and scenery.  Deer Creek Canyon has some very nice twisties as you proceed up into the Rockies.  However, if it’s a nice day, don’t be surprised if you also see bicyclist using the same road.  The scenery along Co Rd 126/Hwy 67, as you make your way through Pike National Forest is absolutely beautiful.  You’ll even get a glimpse of the damage left by the Hayman fire of 2002, Colorado’s largest fire in state history.  A must-see after you descend down from the mountains is Garden of the Gods and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.  Stop in for a quick stop and pick up a bottle of water and a souvenir.  The remainder of the ride allows you 2 ways to make it back to the end of the ride; on the west side of I-25 through Palmer Lake and Hwy 105, or on the east side of I-25 along Hwy 83.

Ride through parts of Arapaho National Forest and beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park.  This ride takes you over Berthoud Pass, through Winter Park ski resort, Lake Granby, and through Rocky Mountain National Park and the town of Estes Park.  Along the way, you'll go over 6 Colorado mountain passes ranging from 9,130 ft. to 11,827 ft., so check the road conditions before you go, and dress appropriately.

NOTE: There's an entrance fee to get into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Total distance: approximately 190 miles.

A long 295 mile ride through Virginia Dale, the Snowy Range Road (Routt National Forest), and back into Colorado and the Roosevelt National Forest.  The initial part of this ride has you going through Virginia Dale which is in the northern most part of Colorado on the way to Laramie, Wyoming.  Legend has it that Jack Dale, who was a notorious outlaw in the late 1800’s robbed a bank in Laramie, Wyoming of $80K in gold.  He supposedly stashed his loot somewhere in the hills around Virginia Dale.  To this day, it has never been found (you might want to keep a look out along this road for a reflection or an unusual rock formation (X marks the spot!)).  Also on this route, you travel through Centennial, Wyoming which was the inspiration for the famous novel of the same name (which later became a mini-series).  The last part of the ride has you tackling the twists and turns of Hwy 14 through the Roosevelt National Forest between Walden and Fort Collins.

Total distance = approximately 295 miles

A nice ride with lots of twisties that heads SSW from Colorado Springs across the Arkansas Valley and up through Hardscrabble Canyon in the San Isabel National Forest to the town of Westcliffe.  There’s an awesome view of the Sagre de Cristo Mountains in the distance as you start down into the Wet Mountain Valley and Westcliffe.  Westcliffe has a few interesting places to have lunch, and don’t forget to fuel up before heading out.  The second half of the ride travels north through the Wet Mountain Valley and meets up with the Arkansas River; then goes through the rolling hills west of Cripple Creek and through the Florissant Fossil Beds Memorial Monument to Florissant.  From there, it’s due East back to Colorado Springs.

Take a trip into yesteryear.  This ride initially takes you through beautiful Pike National Forest, where you can see remnants of the famous Hayman fire of 2002; the largest fire in Colorado history.  You encounter many twisties along the way as you head for lunch at the Bucksnort Saloon in Sphinx Park, CO; the main feature of this ride.  The Bucksnort is tucked 1½ miles up a narrow, dirt road canyon east of Pine, CO; the ride is worth it, believe me!  This colorful mountain bar has great atmosphere, food and beer; a popular stop for bikers.  The building is built on a rock pile overlooking a creek.  In the early 1900’s this was a popular getaway for the elite.  After lunch, the rest of the ride takes you over 4 Colorado mountain passes ranging from 9,165 ft. to 10,001 ft. in elevation in a giant counter-clockwise loop back to Colorado Springs.

Total distance = approximately 200 miles.

A simple counter-clockwise loop through the Colorado high country and the Arkansas River valley.  It has its fair share of twisties and rolling hills.  The main features of this ride are the 3 mountain passes ranging from 9,165 ft. to 9,507 ft. in elevation that you go over on your way west, and a nice twisty ride along the Arkansas River valley on the way back east.  If you’re looking for a nice leisurely ride and also enjoy the scenery at the same time, this is a good one.

Total distance = approximately 220 miles.

A little longer than we normally ride, this ride takes in a stop at the interesting Bishop Castle in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest (take a moment to visit this unique family construction project, and if you’re lucky you might see its constructor, Mr. Jim Bishop still doing his thing).  The lunch stop is in Walsenburg where, although a small town, has many typical fast food places, but also has some unique restaurants and cafes for those that like to do the small town experience.  There are 3 Colorado mountain passes that you go over along this ride: Long Saddle (6,370 ft.), Promontory Pass (8579 ft.), and Bigelow Divide (Greenhill Divide) (9,340 ft.).  Check out the C-VRA 50 Pass Map for exact locations.

Total distance = approximately 260 miles.

A leisurely ride up Ute Pass and into the mining and gambling town of Cripple Creek, Colorado.  This ride follows Hwy 24 up Ute Pass and then heads south along the back side of Pikes Peak, rising to over 11,000 feet in elevation before dropping into Cripple Creek.  After lunch, it's a very scenic ride cresting rolling hills, then dropping 5000+ feet into Canon City.  In Canon City, you can stop for fuel and a drink (recommended), or continue on to Colorado Springs.

Total distance: approximately 150 miles.