April 10, 2022
Our first bike ride over the 50 mile mark! And let me tell you we could feel every mile when we returned.
We were in Denver for my husband’s work conference. Of course the first thing we did after booking the trip was researching exciting looking bike trails and we were not disappointed. Little did we know you can bike from downtown Denver to the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. This is the only naturally occurring amphitheater and is known internationally for the perfect natural acoustics. Big names such as the Beatles, Dolly Parton, and U2 have all performed here.
53 miles was a tall task but since we had done a few long bike rides by now, we felt confident (and we didn’t have a car to haul our bikes closer) to start from the bike rental shop in downtown. We biked to Confluence park which was only a block from the rental shop to jump on the beautiful South Platte River Trail. The whole trail spans 30 miles and, you guessed it, follows the Platte River for the majority of the ride. At the beginning we rode by the Denver Aquarium, Empower Football Field at Mile High (look for the blue bronco) and a giant REI store. The trail then turns into Bear Creek Trail just after crossing under Interstate 285. After about 4 miles through a mixture of open meadows and a windy path through trees, you’ll reach Fox Hollow Golf Course. Follow Fox Hollow Golf Course Lane to a service road and keep right on a small road labeled “bikes and service vehicles only.” This road is misleading because it looks like it takes you directly onto the golf course. Plus mountain bikes may be using a dirt trail to your left that may throw you off, but continue on!
Hill Alert
This climb up the golf course honestly was absolutely horrible. It is fairly steep and we had such a headwind it felt like we were not making any progress. After the leg burning, descend down the main road to Morrison. Continue through this cute old style western town to Red Rock entrance on the right. We didn’t have time to stop for a snack or shop, but I was tempted.
Once you enter the park, another challenging climb awaits. I thought this climb was much easier than the golf course hill. Maybe is was pure adrenaline, excitement and the fact that it feels like you’re riding through a scene in the movie Cars. Follow Red Rocks Park Road, around the lower South lot for the most direct route to the Trading Post gift store. You’ll pass the popular Trading Post Walking Trail weaving through the rocks.
Let me tell you, I have never been so happy to see a gift shop! We parked our bikes on the racks in front of the Trading Post, dashed inside to get our obligatory trip magnet and headed up the main trail to the amphitheater. My legs were definitely wobbly and we shortly debated if we should just turn around. Thank goodness we decided to toughen up and continue on. The amphitheater is just as mind blowing as it looks like in pictures. Wide open sky, dramatic towering rocks, huge stage and people everywhere sprinting up the stairs as a workout. A drum circle was taking place on stage when we were there. Unfortunately we were on a deadline to get my husband back for a conference event so we didn’t get to stay long. I definitely regret not walking to the top of the stairs (though not sure if my legs could have handled it) and savoring the view a little longer before we headed back.
Luckily there was a lot more downhill on the way back to Denver. We sprinted the way back to cut our time in half. You’ll be relieved to know my husband did make it back to the conference on time. I would suggest having navigation, like Google Maps, mounted to your bike for this ride. The route is not clearly marked and gets a little confusing, especially when you have to switch from bike trails to roads. We didn’t have a handlebar mount for our phone yet and had to do a lot of stopping and mapping.
Fun Facts
Other Denver Activities
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game: Coors Field, a classic brick stadium is in the heart of downtown, easily walkable from a hotel
- Denver Art Museum: Honestly, I’m not a big art person, but I hit the museum on one of it’s free admission days and figured why not?
- Union Station: So much more than just a train station. Great place for people watching or book reading. Be sure to check out Milkbox Ice Creamery for a treat or Snooze for some breakfast
- Larimer Square: Artsy walking mall full of cute restaurants and boutique shops. The Colorado flags hanging across the street make for a great photo-op
- Sculptures: Keep your eye out for scultpures scattered across the city. Most notably the Blue Bear at the Convention Center and the broom and dustpan by the art museum
- 16th Street Mall: I spent a lot of time here checking out the chain and tourist shops of this mile-long, pedestrian friendly block of stores.
