[Summit Biking] - May 11 Bear Creek Trail

Hi Everyone:

Although the Denver metro area received several inches of wet heavy snow in the last 24 hours, the current forecast for the next several days is warm temperatures (60s and 70s) and no additional precipitation.  The current forecast for Monday is temps in the 70s in the morning (71 to 78 from 10am to noon).

Directions to Bike Route from Summit County – approximately 1 hour drive:

1.      Take I-70 E toward Denver.

2.      Take Exit 260 to merge onto CO-470 E toward Colo Spgs.

3.      Take Exit 4 to CO-8 W/Bear Creek Ave./W Morrison Rd.

4.      Turn right (west) off the exit ramp.

5.      The parking lot is on the right-hand corner of S. Rooney Road and Morrison Road (across from a Phillips 66 gas station - 16283 Morrison Rd, Morrison, CO 80465).

***Ride will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.*** 

Route details:

From the parking lot, we will walk our bikes across (the very busy) Morrison Road and follow the Bear Creek Trail east under CO-470 E.

Lunch (optional): The little town of Morrison features lots of fun restaurants. After the ride, drive, bike, or walk 0.4 miles to the historic Morrison Inn for lunch. RSVP to me by End of Day Saturday (May 9) if you'd like to enjoy lunch together and I'll include you in the reservation. Click here for the menu.

Mileage: 19 miles RT / 942 ft elevation gain for Bear Creek Trail

Denis Mark

denishmark527@gmail.com

303-564-0147

[Summit Biking] May 4 - Chatfield Loop

Hey Team,

Our first ride of the 2026 season is in the metro Denver area and a great warm up ride for the season. Here are the particulars:

1)      Meeting Place: Breckenridge Brewery - Littleton, 2990 Brewery Lane, Littleton, Colorado 80120 – pass the brewery on the left and enter the parking lot on the right, just beyond the brewery.

2)      Date & Time: Monday, May 4 at 10 a.m. Due to road work around Idaho Springs/Floyd Hill, consider passing through that area by 9:00 a.m. to avoid delays.

3)      Lunch: Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery after the ride. View the menu: https://www.breckbrew.com/visit/littleton/food/

4)      Mileage & Route: This is not actually a "loop" but a rolling out-and-back ride that arcs around the reservoir. We’ll take the bike path from the Brewery into the park and cycle to the South Entrance before returning the way we came. RT mileage is ~26 miles, but you can turn around sooner (or ride further) as you wish.

5)      Weather Forecast: Cloudy with temps rising from 60^o at 10 am to 68^o by noon; always check the https://www.summitbiking.org/blog and/or your email on Monday mornings for ride updates or cancellations.

A big thanks to the folks who have volunteered to lead the other May rides:

·       May 11 – Bear Creek (starting point in Morrison) - Roberta Dakin and Denis Mark

·       May 18 – Green Mountain Reservoir - Jim Smith

·       May 25 – Memorial Day – No Ride

See you on Monday!

Betsy

303-638-2549

Welcome to the Cycling Season 2026

Hey SBG Team,

It’s time to dust off the bike if you haven’t already been riding this year. We’re starting a little early with our first official ride on Monday, May 4. Here’s the schedule:

·       May 4 – Chatfield Loop – meet in the parking lot adjacent to Breckenridge Brewery (yep, they’ve got one in Littleton). This is an up-and-back ride, so cycle as far as you want before heading back to lunch at the Brewery

·       May 11 – Bear Creek - Need a Lead (it’s easy, I promise!)

·       May 18 – Green Mountain Reservoir - Need a Lead (again, easy, easy)

·       May 25 – NO RIDE – Memorial Day

Puh-leez let me know if you can lead on May 11 or 18, as I'll be in Europe. More details coming next week!

Thanks, Betsy

[Summit Biking] Sept 29 Maryland Creek Ride

Hi Everyone,

Apologies for such late notice. This is our last ride of the 2025 summer season and the fall leaves continue to be brilliant. The high for Monday is currently projected to be 56 degrees and cloudy, so dress in layers to adjust to lots of uphill and downhill stretches. A good amount of road sharing with neighborhood traffic around Eagle's Nest and Summit Sky Ranch will warrant the usual bright clothing and rear bike lights for the ride. Check the blog for updated information on Monday morning in case there are changes.

Date: Monday, September 29

Start Time: 10:00 am

Meeting Place: Dillon Amphitheatre 

Route: From Dillon Amphitheatre, cycle to the top of Buffalo Mountain, down through Mesa Cortina. At the Lowe's, turn L onto Adams Avenue, L on 2nd Street to connect to Briant St. Pass Target and connect back to Adams Avenue, following until it dead ends. Cycle through Eagle's Nest to Summit Sky Ranch and down to Maryland Creek Park. Turn around and follow the same route back to Dillon Amphitheatre. If you're in for tougher mileage on the way back, ride up Buffalo Mountain again (Totals: ~27 miles, ~3,100 ft elevation) . Otherwise, cycle past the Buffalo Mountain turn off and return to the Amphitheater (Totals: ~22 miles, 2,200 ft elevation). Given that I've omitted a number of steps, cue sheets will be provided.

Lunch: Bring a sandwich, drink, and something to share. We'll celebrate our last ride & lunch of the season at the pavilion. 

See you on Monday!

Betsy

FW: [Summit Biking] September 16 - Ute Pass Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,

 

On Monday, September 22, we will ride from North Pond Park to the top of Ute Pass Road and back.  

 

There will be two starting points:  

1. 9:30 AM start at North Pond Park (108 Hamilton Creek Rd, Silverthorne) - this is a 10.3-mile ride on Co-9N to the Ute Pass Road turnoff. We will be riding on a wide shoulder that is sprinkled with gravel, so be mindful. Blinking tail lights and bright clothing are encouraged--anything to make the group more visible on the highway. 

2. 10:00 AM start at the Ute Pass Road and Co-9N intersection - this start point offers ample parking; it is a shorter ride but is mostly uphill (about 5 miles to the top parking lot). 

 

***Bonus Miles: Once you reach the top of Ute Pass Road, you can bag a few additional miles by cruising downhill (about 2-ish miles) to Henderson Mill. Turn around for a few more uphill miles on your way back to the Pond. RT mileage from North Pond to Henderson Mill is 36.6 miles.***

 

We will have a picnic at North Pond following the ride. Please bring something to share with your fellow riders as well as a drink and sandwich for yourself.

 

My cell # is 612-720-3741 if you have questions or issues.

 

I will send out another email in case of inclement weather or a change of plans.  

 

See you on Monday!

 

Jim

 

(credit Betsy for the email text from the earlier season Ute Pass ride)

 

Jim Smith

Mobile: 612-720-3741

Email: got.gravel@gmail.com

 

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed.  If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

 

[Summit Biking] Sept 15 Green Mountain Reservoir

Hey Everyone,

As far as I know, no one has volunteered to lead the Green Mtn
Reservoir ride. Since it is a widely-known route, the plan will be for
the SBG team to meet in the parking lot to begin riding at 10 a.m.
Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged.

Details include:
** Start date/time: Monday, Sept 15, at 10 a.m.
** Location: Green Mountain Reservoir Parking Lot - take highway 9
toward Heeney >> turn left on Heeney Rd >> parking lot is immediately
to the right (https://maps.app.goo.gl/haxV3b85AUyCFstY7)
** Route: Follow Heeney Road to the bridge. Road conditions are good
until you reach the bridge. Past that, prepare for a plethora of
potholes and gravel patches. Turn around where the road ends at
highway 9. Totals: 21.4 mi |1,404 ft elevation (gpx:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52618322)
** Lunch: none planned for today

In the unlikely event that a horse, bear, or moose joins the group
during the ride, please view one of my favorite cycling videos so
you'll know what to do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1FPRo7hO7I
(hint: just keep riding).

For questions or if you'd like to volunteer to lead the ride, contact
Polly or Roberta.

Enjoy the ride!
Betsy

Monday Sept 8th - Georgetown ( 10am ) to either Loveland Ski Area or Guanella Pass

The weather down in Georgetown looks great for the ride on Monday.  The drive from Silverthorne to the Georgetown Visitor Center is about 30mins.  Be ready to ride by 10am (temp might be a blazing 55dF).

 

There are plenty of picnic tables at the visitor center if you bring your own lunch.  I am NOT organizing a group lunch but instead encouraging meeting at Cabin Creek Brewery for refreshments and nourishment after the ride.  CCB is located at the West of the Georgetown Lake.

 

We should NOT park in visitor center paved parking area.  Instead park in the dirt/gravel areas just West of their parking lot.  Shown in green below.

 

There are restrooms facilities inside the visitor center.

 

1. - The Guanella Pass option is 11.6 miles with 3200 ft of elevation gain.  Google Maps says you should be up there in 2hr 15 min 😊

 

You can see the map here –

 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Gateway+Visitor+Center,+Exit+228+-+Interstate+70,+1491+Argentine+St,+Georgetown,+CO+80444/Guanella+Pass,+Colorado/@39.6690825,-105.7725503,22709m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x876badfb13b367a9:0xcb8363e393aa54c1!2m2!1d-105.6957146!2d39.7149957!1m5!1m1!1s0x876baa3606f9657f:0x4c8f9bcbab3ab242!2m2!1d-105.7111165!2d39.5949872!3e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

 

 

2) - The Georgetown Loop Railroad, Silverplume, Bakerville, Loveland Ski option is 1hr 46 min with 2231 ft of elevation gain.  Google Maps says this should take 1hr 46min.  You certainly will encounter fewer cars on this route, but perhaps more bears.  The bike path will end in the parking lot at Loveland Valley Ski area.  There is no reason to go any further unless you are doing bonus miles (+5) up Loveland Pass

 

You can see the map here –

 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Gateway+Visitor+Center,+Exit+228+-+Interstate+70,+1491+Argentine+St,+Georgetown,+CO+80444/Loveland+Valley+Lodge,+4462+US-6,+Silver+Plume,+CO+80476/@39.7000967,-105.8313444,13497m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x876badfb13b367a9:0xcb8363e393aa54c1!2m2!1d-105.6957146!2d39.7149957!1m5!1m1!1s0x876a51388b97e853:0xd6fdcf01aca32766!2m2!1d-105.8847185!2d39.6850497!3e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

 

If you have questions or concerns send me an email or text or call.

 

Stephan.Horlak@USA.NET

(614) 264-5407 Mobile

 

From: stephan.horlak@usa.net <stephan.horlak@usa.net>
Sent: Monday, September 1, 2025 4:54 PM
To: Summit Road Biking (SummitBiking@GoogleGroups.Com) <SummitBiking@GoogleGroups.Com>
Subject: Next Monday Sept 8th - Georgetown (uphill) to either Loveland Ski Area or Guanella Pass

 

You don't want miss this classic little uphill ride next Monday.  Details will come out later in the week after we look at the forecast.

 

The basics are meet at the Georgetown Visitor Center and park on the dirt lot just West of the paved parking lot. There are restrooms in the visitor center.

 

Decide if you are riding up Guanella Pass (11.5mi) or up towards Loveland Ski Area.

 

I can promise you this, both routes are downhill when you are headed back to Georgetown.

 

Guanella Pass road is in great shape, minimal pothole & cracks.  Before we start it will have a lot of traffic from hikers who are headed up to hike Bierstadt (14k).

 

The route up to Loveland ski area will take you up the hill through the Georgetown Loop railroad, on the bike path up to Silver Plume, then on the service road for around 6 miles.  Finally you'll pick up the bike path for the last 5 miles into the parking lot of Loveland Basin.

 

Stephan.Horlak@USA.NET

 

Re: [Summit Biking] Next Monday Sept 8th - Georgetown (uphill) to either Loveland Ski Area or Guanella Pass

Hey Stephan,

Greetings from Belfast! I like your upbeat and cheeky email to the
group. Could you do me a favor and blind cc this info to the blog at
summitbiking.8VAhc-3usR2pZC@blogger.com.

go raibh maith agat,
Betsy


On Mon, 1 Sept 2025 at 23:54, <stephan.horlak@usa.net> wrote:
>
> You don't want miss this classic little uphill ride next Monday. Details will come out later in the week after we look at the forecast.
>
>
>
> The basics are meet at the Georgetown Visitor Center and park on the dirt lot just West of the paved parking lot. There are restrooms in the visitor center.
>
>
>
> Decide if you are riding up Guanella Pass (11.5mi) or up towards Loveland Ski Area.
>
>
>
> I can promise you this, both routes are downhill when you are headed back to Georgetown.
>
>
>
> Guanella Pass road is in great shape, minimal pothole & cracks. Before we start it will have a lot of traffic from hikers who are headed up to hike Bierstadt (14k).
>
>
>
> The route up to Loveland ski area will take you up the hill through the Georgetown Loop railroad, on the bike path up to Silver Plume, then on the service road for around 6 miles. Finally you'll pick up the bike path for the last 5 miles into the parking lot of Loveland Basin.
>
>
>
> Stephan.Horlak@USA.NET
>
>
>
> --
> If you haven't yet paid your dues for this year, please do so now. Visit our website at https://www.summitbiking.org/membership.
> ---
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[Summit Biking] No Ride on Sept. 1



Hi Everyone,

We have no organized ride on Labor Day. So enjoy relaxing, going to parties, and/or riding on your own.

A few things to note for the September rides:

• All rides will start at 10 a.m. since it's taking a little longer for the temperatures to rise
• The Sept. 8 ride will be led by Stephan Horlak, so you'll receive an email from him before that ride. 
• We still don't have a ride lead for Sept. 15, which is a ride around Green Mountain Reservoir. Any takers? It's an easy (and fun) one.

Thanks and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Betsy

[Summit Biking] Boreas ride downgraded to Breckenridge

Hey Everyone,

I'm getting this niggling in the back of my brain (could it be "good sense"?) that Glorious Boreas is not the best idea for today. Roads are still wet in places and the grades and possible grit on Boreas Pass Road haven't gotten any tamer.

Therefore, the ride is being changed. Our starting point is still the same (Frisco Bay Marina public restrooms) but our destination will be Breckenridge. Not as exciting but definitely safer. If you do decide to veer off and head up toward the pass, it is not an official part of today's ride.

Thanks and happy riding,

Betsy