Cities

Coloradans on the Front Range live in the heart of a geographic playground. The snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains hovering in the distance attract outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and athletes – a spirit reflected in the people who live in their midst. The most populated region of Colorado, the Front Range is nestled along the eastern foothills of the Front Range mountains and west of the Great Plains – offering a veritable smorgasbord of hiking, skiing and biking opportunities. Where else in the United States can you ski in the morning and wear shorts and flip-flops out for a casual cruiser ride in the evening?

In Front Range country, which includes the cities of Fort Collins, Boulder and Denver, locals have a plethora of cycling options. Mountain biking here is world-famous and the area offers some of the most challenging road riding in the US. Another option that is gaining force is everyday functional riding. Fueled by two-wheeled freedom, the state of the economy, the environment and health consciousness, cycling is a big deal in Colorado.

Boulder: Ahead of the Pack

Boulder is at the top of the list of cycle-forward cities on the Front Range and has been for decades. In this community of just under 100,000 residents, you’ll find over 200 miles (322 kilometers) of bike lanes and paths, along with the social and political will to develop cycling-friendly streets.

Tim Graczyk is a free-spirited rider who, until recently, had seven bikes in his possession. Having finally settled on just one, a Surly Big Dummy, Graczyk plans to tour around the Northwest and participate in the desert dance party, art fest and cycling bonanza that is Burning Man, which, this year, will take place from August 30 to September 6 in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. His Big Dummy’s huge wheelbase and equally enormous panniers will enable him to take everything but the kitchen sink with him for the ride.

Graczyk pedals a 10-mile (16-km) commute to work each day, which isn’t bad, although the unpredictable weather along the foothills of Boulder can be challenging. Taking the caprices of Mother Nature in stride, Graczyk views Boulder’s sometimes wacky weather as part of the fun. “It’s really not that hard [to bike in bad weather],” he said, noting that it’s a cinch compared to contending with local auto traffic: “driving a car in Boulder can be a pain in the ass.” The greater challenge is accustoming motorists and cyclists alike to the increased popularity of cycling in the city.

With so many cyclists on the road, tensions have risen between novice and experienced riders, particularly when you add automobiles into the urban commuting mix. Community Cycles, a non-profit organization that supports local transportation cycling and runs bike repair and maintenance classes, is trying to alleviate some of that tension through their Boulder Bike Ambassador program. The program teaches specific skills, such as bike helmet fit, bike handling skills, fixing a flat, rules of the road, etc., to encourage the safe and effective use of Boulder’s roadways, paths and transit routes.