Routes

Boulder's signature climb and every local cyclist's calling card. 2.87 miles on Flagstaff Road from the Gregory Canyon junction (5,745 ft) to the summit (6,670 ft), averaging 7.1% with a max of 10.4% on the Chapman segment. The full Super Flag extension (#626263) hits 15.5% max grade and 8.2% average over 7.38 km. Chapman-Flagstaff (#3220167) has 157,565 attempts by 13,442 people — KOM belongs to John Keller at 11:43 (402W, 20.3 km/h). Keller, a former pro turned software developer, holds 502+ Strava KOMs across Boulder. Phil Gaimon targeted this in his "Worst Retirement Ever" YouTube series (Episode 8: Boulder). Pass Panorama Point (39.9975/-105.2900), Sunrise Circle Amphitheatre (40.0037/-105.3008), Realization Point (40.0010/-105.3030), and Lost Gulch Overlook (40.0005/-105.3060) before the summit.

Classic out-and-back on CO-119 following Boulder Creek through the canyon. 17 miles one way from Boulder (~5,430 ft) to Nederland (~8,230 ft), gaining roughly 2,800 ft. Pass Boulder Falls (40.0045/-105.4054 — 70-ft waterfall, pull-off on the right) at the halfway mark and the sheer granite walls popular with rock climbers. Watch for Chinook winds in the canyon — warm dry gusts off the Front Range that can push you sideways. Final push past Barker Reservoir Dam into Nederland. Coffee at Salto Coffee Works (112 E 2nd St) before the fast descent — watch for gravel on tight corners, speeds can hit 40+ mph. Ride early to beat traffic; narrow shoulders and broken concrete in spots.

A steady 16-mile grind up Left Hand Canyon Drive (County Road 94) from US-36 to Ward. 4.1% average grade with 60% of the climb at 0-5% — perfect for tempo work and pacing practice. Less traffic than Boulder Canyon. The toughest section hits at mile 15 near the Sawmill Road intersection: 1.6 miles at 8.5% to Ward (population ~150, elevation ~9,450 ft). A Top 200 US Climb per PJAMM Cycling. Total gain: 5,193 ft over the full 22.5-mile extended route. Descend with caution — loose gravel on the shoulders.

The local training loop that packs a Cat 3 climb into 35 km. Lee Hill Drive connects North Boulder to Olde Stage Road — the main climb is 4.3 miles averaging 5.9% with steeper pitches near the top (extended Lee Hill to Deer Trail variant: 4.7 mi, 1,907 ft gain, 7.6% avg). Continue on Olde Stage to Left Hand Canyon Drive, descend back to US-36. The Lee Hill wall separates the climbers from the flatlanders. Wednesday group ride standard route.

The most historic race course in American cycling. Home of the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic (1975-79, sponsored by Celestial Seasonings) and the Coors International Bicycle Classic (1980-88) — 14 years of racing where Greg LeMond, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Andy Hampsten, and Davis Phinney battled. The name comes from pets — a cat named Morgul (after a Laugh-In character) and a dog named Bismark, belonging to early promoters. The 13.1-mile loop runs McCaslin Blvd, CO-128, CO-93, and Marshall Road. "The Wall" (Strava #632472, 2.19 km) — a 4.1% average ramp that spikes to 14.8-18% at the top. Featured in the 1985 film "American Flyers" (dir. John Badham, starring Kevin Costner) — the climactic "Hell of the West" race was filmed here. Davis Phinney won 2 Tour de France stages and won the Olympic bronze ('84 TTT). Pure suffering, pure glory.

Flat-to-rolling loop through the agricultural lands east of Boulder. Nelson Road to Niwot Road to 75th Street and back. Perfect for Coggan Zone 3 tempo intervals on the straightaways. Chinook winds (warm, dry downslope gusts off the Rockies) can hit 40+ mph from the northwest — common October through April. Plan your route direction accordingly or embrace the free speed on the way out.

Flat, paved multi-use path — 6.7 miles one way, 167 ft total gain. Starts at the Bobolink Trailhead (Baseline & Cherryvale) and follows South Boulder Creek through open space to the CU East Campus / Research Park. Wide, well-maintained, minimal road crossings. Perfect for beginners, recovery spins (Zone 1-2 only, conversation pace), and clip-in practice. The cottonwood-lined corridor stays sheltered from Boulder's afternoon northwest winds.

Adventure route to the 1850s mining town of Gold Hill (population ~200, elevation 8,463 ft). Take Mapleton Avenue west from downtown Boulder until it becomes Sunshine Canyon Drive. Pavement ends ~6 miles from Broadway — the remaining 3.5 miles to Gold Hill are packed dirt with max grades hitting 23%. Tight, twisty canyon road with limited shoulder. Stop at the Gold Hill Inn for food and live music, or the Gold Hill General Store. Home to the oldest continuously operating public school in Colorado (since 1873). 28mm tires minimum, gravel bike strongly recommended.