alex chiang: web 6.0

This is a great ride from Ft. Collins, and there are several ways to do it, depending on how strong you’re feeling. The basic idea is, you get from Ft. Collins to Loveland, and then from Loveland go to Estes Park.

If you’re feeling strong and want extra climbing, take the hogbacks to Masonville to Loveland. If you want an easier day, take Shields or Taft Hill south on the flats to Loveland.

The climbing starts in earnest once you reach the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon. If you want a sufferfest, take a right at the town of Drake to head up the Glen Haven route. If you want something easier, stay in the Big Thompson until you get to Estes.

Once you get to Estes, you’ve got a lot of options. You can simply eat at the McDonald’s (corner of US 34 and US 36) and go home, or you can continue on to Rocky Mountain National Park for some more pain. If you are a real hardman (or woman), ride all the way up to Trailridge Road!

• via the flats and Big Thompson (overview) (4741′ of climbing, includes tagging RMNP)
• via the flats and Big Thompson (detail)