I am going to Estes Park over the new year. Does anybody know what the road cycling conditions are during that time? Could I ride from Lyons to Estes Park safely?
I am going to Estes Park over the new year. Does anybody know what the road cycling conditions are during that time? Could I ride from Lyons to Estes Park safely?
Is the road even open after the flood damage?
flagjr wrote:
Is the road even open after the flood damage?
My thought exactly. I don't believe that road is open yet, Highway 34 from Loveland to EP just opened last week.
If the road is open by then - I would say the weather is a mixed bag. You could have a pleasant, 30 degree, sunny day. Or you could have a snowstorm 40mph wind day. Both are a decent possibility, it all comes down to timing.
Looks like it is open. They term it a "temporary road" so I'm not sure how much shoulder you should count on having. Best of luck. If weather/road conditions don't allow biking - hopfully you can rent some snowshoes and still enjoy the beautiful area.
http://photos.denverpost.com/2013/11/04/photos-highway-36-reopens-between-lyons-and-estes-park/
Thanks all for the info
All the flood damaged canyon roads (SH 72, 36 and 34) are closed to bicycling, likely through the winter. Narrow shoulders and still lots of construction to complete. In Coal Creek Canyon (SH72) there are 30 or 40 driveways being rebuilt, a natural gas line being replaced, as well as a lot of gravel being hauled to repair the county roads in the area. Lots of truck traffic-not a good place to be on a bike. 34-Big Thompson Canyon-is a glorified gravel road in spots. I'll be shocked if its permanently repaired a year from now. I'm betting fall of 2015. 36 and 7-the Estes Park-Lyons route of which you speak was just reopened this morning to cars. I've not been up there-but I can't imagine it's too great.
I'm not sure about Boulder Canyon, SH 119-perhaps a Boulderite knows. It was not as heavily damaged as the other 3 canyons.
Even if open to bicyclists, it's not safe to ride those canyons in December and January. Lots of snow and ice-and the shadows are long-so they don't melt. Boulder Canyon does have a better shoulder than the others though. If you must ride, the Peak to Peak (Hwy 7 in estes park, turning into 72 at Allenspark, and 119 at Nederland) is not in a canyon. Though it's higher in elevation, I'd say it's less likely to have snow and ice on the shoulders.
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