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Article Topic: Activities
Article Title: Road Cycling Info
Get The Skinny
 If you want to take a break from mountain biking and pull out the road bike, there are some superb rides in this area. Rolling terrain can be found by riding north. All of CR 5 is paved, so you can avoid riding US Hwy 40 from Fraser to just before the YMCA. On US Hwy 40 you can ride to SolVista, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs or Kremmling, or take US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake. The shoulders are wide in most places and the terrain is rolling without any big hills.
- Middle of Granby: 18 miles
- Hot Sulphur Springs: 29 miles
- Kremmling: 48 miles
- Downtown Grand Lake: 35 miles
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Climbing Options*
Berthoud Pass is a notable ride, although traffic can be heavy.
- Summit of Berthoud Pass (riding north side): 11 miles one way, 1,920ft to summit
- Average grade is 2-4% with a maximum of 5%. This side starts with a climb then flattens out until the last push to the summit.
- Winter Park to Berthoud Falls (climbing south side to return to Winter Park: roughly 38 miles round trip), 4,000ft total.
- Average grade is about 4-5%. This side is a steadier climb.
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Trail Ridge Road has the best climbing in the area with challenging switchbacks and steep climbs at high elevation; you reach 12,000ft at the top. Incredible scenic beauty adds to the ride. Traffic is slow and you become just another attraction. Tourists can't imagine why anyone would ride up this road. Water and food can be found at the visitor centers. You do need to pay the entrance fee of $10 or have a National or Rocky Mountain National Park pass to ride Trail Ridge Road. This is an epic ride and weather can change quickly. Be prepared!
- Trail Ridge Road (from Grand Lake): 28 miles to Rock Cut, 3,100ft
- Average grade is 5.3% with a few sections near 6%
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Willow Creek Pass (Hwy 125) is a pleasant ride with very different terrain and less traffic than most of the eastern part of Grand County. The road follows the river and is beautiful. Watch for moose.
- Willow Creek Pass (from Granby): 26 miles to summit, 1,770ft
- Average grade is about 3% with maximum of 5%
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*Unless noted, miles are all from Winter Park, bypassing US Hwy 40 by traveling on CR 5.
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