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I just did 60 miles riffing off this Strava Local route. Had been meaning to go East and this gave me an excuse. Once you're out in the plains it is awesome! No views or fun descents like in the mountains but there is little traffic and the road just goes on and on.

https://www.strava.com/local/us/denver/cycling/routes/663

That's fine. I've done Grapevine on a road bike with 23mm tires, which is a little sketchy ('cause it's downhill) but if you're used to riding dirt roads, you just need to pay attention and be safe. Lookout is definitely worth your time and you'll be going against traffic going downhill into Morrison, so I'm not worried about that, either.

If you're married to the idea of riding Lariat Loop, that's a good route, but if you're open to other options, you could go up Coal Creek Canyon and down Golden Gate Canyon (or vice versa). It's all paved and pretty nice—but well more than 60 miles, unfortunately. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30641213

Check out the Stapleton Ride (FDR).

8am every Saturday from Cycleton

https://www.facebook.com/groups/829208483804735/

https://www.strava.com/activities/19670381 Route. Speed varies slightly but normally averages near 20mph.

I did it a few weeks ago. Take Lookout to 40. Ride down 40 and hang a left at the light onto 40 where it changes from 93. Take 40 down to the big right turn in the road and go left onto Heritage. Cut through there to get back into Golden and get a beer.

Here is my ride https://www.strava.com/activities/482162334 if you want the exact trace.

Rode up High Grade today. Wasn't bad at all. A couple of sketchy spots in the shadows. City View was much worse. Didn't get all the way up to Conifer but what I did ride wan't bad. An out and back shouldn't be a problem at all.

https://www.strava.com/activities/481340145

He's got options from Jamestown. 34 is doable, but it's a busy road near the Front Range/I-25 corridor and I wouldn't recommend it (including Loveland and Greeley, ugh). There are a lot of quiet, county roads that are paved out there to get you East of Greeley before you join US 34. There are more scenic options, such as heading up to the Peak to Peak first and going to Estes Park, but then you are descending the very busy Big Thompson canyon on US 36, which isn't ideal. Anyways, here's a sample of how to avoid the bigger towns: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29853558

Here you go! It's 99% trails. There's a small section from Washington to Big Dry Creek trail that I was on the sidewalk.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36664436

Mountain Base road along Golden Gate Canyon park. 20%+ incline. Its part of this ride I did. Due to a bad knee I had to stop short of my roommates but it was a brutal ride.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Q7SF2TD This thermal skull cap liner has been the best I've tried. it's a nice fit under the helmet. really good at blocking wind and covering ears. Keeps pretty dry. Doesn't get too hot.

Alright here's all the rides that I have mapped in RideWithGPS. The only ones I've never tried are the Hypothetical TDS combo gravel route, the Hahn's Peak Loop, and Insanity 1. Obviously a few rides were mapped in other regions too.

There IS a nice loop to the town of Hahn's Peak where you go north on 131, west in Clark, and loop up around the back side of Steamboat Lake. That is a fun ride because you get to have lunch and then it's almost all downhill on the way back.

For a trail bike, the Highline Canal is awesome. I did this route the other day: https://www.strava.com/activities/321827155

I think it runs more or less from Littleton to Aurora; in that direction, unpaved until about Colorado and Hampden.

I think the section of the Bear Creek trail west of Morrison is great, too - though I won't be doing the Mt. Falcon portion again until I get more fit (and I wouldn't recommend it for a trail bike): https://www.strava.com/activities/283560099

If you want to give yourself a bit of a challenge, while also acclimating to the mountain altitude (big factor here), the Copper Triangle may be a good option. Some pretty hefty climbing, good road conditions, amazing scenery, and some cool little towns you can stop off for a coffee or beer throughout the ride. Staying in Frisco or Vail would be a good option, both areas have all the amenities and some solid bike shops. about a 90 minute drive from Denver. Also, if staying in Frisco and dont want to push that hard, theres a ~32 mile ride around the Dillon reservoir>up and down to Breckenridge, about 1200' climbing but still high elevation and beautiful. Enjoy

https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/181-copper-triangle-traditional-vail-pass-la

The Jones bars are my handlebars, the bear bell is a bell that rings as I go over bumps. I sound like a casino rolling down the trail so I don’t startle the wildlife (or people):

Jones Bars: https://youtu.be/yVRY82MO8rs

Timber Bear Bell: TIMBER! Mountain Bike Bell - Quick Release Model https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0184TO7NY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GXVXG7QAR743RJ8Z7JT5

> go directly for Bar Mitts or Pogies.

Amen to this! As someone who struggles with cold hands (but never cold feet) nothing worked until I got some pogies. I have the Bar Mitts brand for my ski poles, and the Amazon generic which is roomy and very durable on my mountain bike. Keeps me riding the trail well into snow season higher up, then I switch to skis.

Feels awesome to have a warm little room to shift and brake in with bare fingers, while the rest of you is getting blasted in cold wind.

It's a K-edge mount that holds my garmin on top and my lights (for night riding) below. https://www.amazon.com/K-Edge-650243-01-Garmin-Combo-31-8mm/dp/B01ACICJS0

There are several apps you might find useful. REI's Hiking Project and Gaia GPS being two of them. Another source you might find helpful is this book Base Camp Denver.

I recently attended a presentation done by Justin Simoni on bike packing. He's done some seriously epic rides all over the state. You might want to check out his blog.

I live in the south west part of the city. Hit me up if you would like company!

Nice bibs with some Prana shorts/knickers over top. https://www.amazon.com/prAna-Mens-Menace-Knickers/dp/B00QYUL3EC Plenty of pockets, they stretch, breathe, and add a bit of protection. I mostly ride really long "trail" rides but I'm not really fast so I'd rather have a bit extra gear than go in with just bibs on.