I will be in Colorado Springs for business and I want to visit a friend in Parker. I am considering riding my bike from the Springs to Parker to visit her. Is Highway 83 a safe road to ride on? The distance is only about 50 miles. Any advice would be appreciated.
Should be OK. The shoulder is a bit narrow in spots, but the road isn’t heavily traveled. I don’t get up to that end of the city very often, but I think Hwy 83 is a regular ride for north siders.
It may be a matter of your tolerance, or lack of, for cars. I live in Colorado Springs, and I tried riding 83 after moving here 6 years ago. I rode it about twice, and will never ride it again. It is a two lane highway with no shoulder. There is not a lot of traffic, but the traffic that is there is often going more than the 55 MPH speed limit. Also, there is a lot of home construction between Colorado Springs and Parker, so there are also some large trucks on the road.
I would drive to the Air Force Academy, ride the nice roads there, then put the bike in the car and drive to Parker. (The Air Force Academy was, until recently, closed to visitors. It is now open, and has great roads for riding.) If you have a bike that you don’t mind riding on hard clay trails, we do have the Santa Fe Trail which you can use to get from Colorado Springs to Monument, then take Spruce Mountain Road to Larkspur. I am not sure of the best route from Larkspur to Parker, so you would be on your own from there. This trail is fine on a road bike with x25 or wider tires. The little bit of loose areas in the trail would make a tri bike not a good option for the trail. (I have done it, but not many people would enjoy that ride on a tri bike.)
Paul
I wouldn’t ride 83 - as for another option but not much longer try this - less traffic more scenic.
Start just north of Air Force Academy at I25 and Baptist road. Take West side of interstate north (Old Denver Road) to Momument then get on 105 to Palmer Lake. Go through Palmer Lake and turn on 105 and continue north - (don’t take Spruce Mountain Road - I think its still closed at Larkspur). Take 105 North. You can turn right off of 105 on Fox Farm to Larkpsur or Tomah Road or Wolfensberger. I prefer Tomah. Either Route with get you to Castle Rock. IF you take Fox Farm you need to ride North through Larkspur and get on I25 for a 1/2 mile to the east side frontage road along I25 into Castle Rock. Tomah brings you out on the Frontage Road and Wolfensburger brings you directly into Castle Rock. Wolfenberger is a 5 mile climb, Tomah is only 2.5 miles of climbing and Fox Farm is no climbing.
Once in Castle Rock you want to get on highway 86 to Founders Parkway North and look for N Crowfoot Valley Road that runs from Castle Rock to Parker.
I ride 83 south from Franktown to County line road and its not too bad in the morning.
Search on the Elephant Rock Ride and you will find a map that covers a lot of the detail from Palmer Lake to Castle Rock. If you need a better map I can save one on Google maps that you can use.
Thanks for the route help! How well are the roads labeled? I’m coming from New England where most roads are not labeled which can be very frustrating when you are lost or trying to ride a specific route.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1067984
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1067908
Here are two maps. As for street markings, I can’t answer but think there are usually signs.
The second map is the harder ride but less traffic and more scenic along highway 105.
The only place to get drinks once you start is Castle Rock. The second ride, miles 1-6 are uphill to Palmer Lake then 20 miles of downhill to Wolfenberger. Then a couple of uphill miles. Miles 34-35 will have lots of traffic by the Home Depot before you get to turn off to Crowfoot Valley.
The first map is much more direct and I put a couple of small detours so you can avoid several miles of highway 83. Highway 83 isn’t that bad and I will probably be heading south on it this weekend for a few miles then cut over to Palmer Lake and back on 105. The wind is out of the South this time of year so it will make the ride over the Palmer divide easier. Also, the first 10 miles on the first map are generally uphill.
Highway 105 is one of my favorite rides. Not much traffic and you usually see several other bicycles coming from Sadalia to Palmer Lake and back. Highway 83 is kind of lonely.
Also, take a look at the Elephant Rock ride maps for the 100 miler.
Be safe and its going to be in the mid 90’s but 65-70 early in the mornings. Again, not any water along much of either route.