Whether touring or training alone or with an organized group, thousands enjoy riding Colorado's mountain roads every year. Drawn to the alpine beauty and egged on by the challenge, they struggle against the grade, against the altitude, and against mile after brutal mile. Unfortunately, cyclists also struggle against a lack of information. Well, struggle no more! Finally, here is a guidebook that gives cyclists what hikers and climbers have had for their activities for years—comprehensive information. Cycling Colorado's Mountain Passes tells bicyclists everything they need to know to ride Colorado's 38 highest paved mountain roads, as well as describing the heart of every mountain road—the high pass. In the book you will find:
- an overview of each pass with pros and cons of the area
- distances, difficulty ratings, elevations, and road grades for each side of the pass
- recommended starting points for one-day rides
- multiple alternate starting points for each pass so you can do an easier ride or just find a good spot for lunch
- information on road and traffic conditions so riders will know what they're getting into before they get there
- listings of near-road camping spots and forest service campsites
- contact information for local chambers of commerce
- where you can expect to find water and other essentials
- a detailed mileage log for both sides of the pass so you'll always know how far you have to go
- general advice on gear you'll need, weather you may encounter, and safety considerations
- grade profiles with multiple start-and-stop options and maps so you can design rides that will let you train for races and marathons
- an overview of each pass with pros and cons of the area
- distances, difficulty ratings, elevations, and road grades for each side of the pass
- recommended starting points for one-day rides
- multiple alternate starting points for each pass so you can do an easier ride or just find a good spot for lunch
- information on road and traffic conditions so riders will know what they're getting into before they get there
- listings of near-road camping spots and forest service campsites
- contact information for local chambers of commerce
- where you can expect to find water and other essentials
- a detailed mileage log for both sides of the pass so you'll always know how far you have to go
- general advice on gear you'll need, weather you may encounter, and safety considerations
- grade profiles with multiple start-and-stop options and maps so you can design rides that will let you train for races and marathons
Cycling Colorado's Mountain Passes is an invaluable resource for riders of all skill levels and abilities. If you've been cycling for years and are tired of the same old routes and close-to-home hills, Cycling Colorado's Mountain Passes will open up hundreds of miles of roads to help you plan your rides and weekends to get the most out of cycling Colorado.
