I might be living in Colorado Springs next year. It seems obvious that this a great area to train in, but is it easy to get out of town on bike if I were to live in the middle of town? Right now I live in Muncie, Indiana and it takes me about 10-12 minutes to get outta town(which I consider pretty good). Also are there alot of pools in town, and where are the best running trails? It would be great to live within running distance of some good trails, and be within riding distance of a pool.
Any suggestions on apartments, or comments on the town in general?
My ex-fiance lived up Old Woodman road. It was pretty nice. Although I think a mtn lion may have eaten their poodle. I don’t think it’s very far from the Academy…kj
The Springs is bigger, because of all the damn sprawl, than you might think. Downtown is the area around Tejon and Bijou the residential part to the north next to Colorado College, toward the OTC. How ever the town extends about 10miles further north with more areas and is continuing to sprawl eastward. I live in Manitou (5miles west of downtown) and it takes me about 40-45 mins to ride all the way across town to Mark Scheffel (MS) which is a common road to end up on for rides. From down town about a 20-25 min ride in the sat group ride depending on lights to MS. It is about a 15-20 min ride west to Manitou and to go up HWY 24 toward Woodland Park (great riding in there). Downtown area has good access to trails check out www.pprrun.org and running places to see a listing of areas click on parks and rec maps and then on the page that pops up on Parks and Trails maps to see areas with parks. The residential areas north and south of Uintah from Nevada to Union are nice and you are with in 2 miles of a good trail also, look any where west of I-25 is great in Old Colorado City are nice areas not the greatest houses always but nice areas. I work in Colorado Springs and hm is about 10miles away it takes 15-20 min to get to work in the morning so I don’t think the commute is bad and I am from a small town where traffic wasn’t bad at all but if you have to get on the Interstate. There are two pools close to down town that I know of and there are more I am pretty sure, Colorado College (masters team swims there as well) and a YMCA. There is another Y in north colorado springs (Woodmen area i believe). Hope this helps just ask if any other questions, also there is a tri club i believe, look for Pikes Peak Triathlon Club and that may help as well.
That’s pprrun.org. The Pine Creek area is nice if you have a family and can afford it. Best public schools in D20. If I was sans kids I would live in Manitou as I spend most my time on the trails there anyway.
Nothing is really too far away and COS is a nice size town.
I would go for Old Colorado City – Go for runs and bikes at the Garden of the Gods.
Up by Bear Creek would be a good area too, but would have to bike up hill to get home.
I personally would stay west and in a older neighborhood – but that is what I like – I don’t like the new homes built out east - less places to run, more traffic, harder to get to the better places to ride.
How is it riding down Highway 24(is it nice and wide)? If I am in C Springs I will be working right near the northern junction of 24 and I-25. I am thinking I will try and get an apartment near there, and do most of my riding during the week on the west side of town(in your neck of the woods).
Is everything on the west side of town alot of climbing and descending or are there some good flat to rolling sections?
When you have to ride across town how is it? Is there alot of stopping? Here in Muncie when I ride through town I don’t have to stop too much, so I can actually count it as part of my ride.
What are the winters like there? Can you ride outdoors through the winter?
Are the pools in the downtown area outdoor or indoor? I am guessing the ones at the college and at the YMCA are indoor?
There is but one ‘Academy’ and that’s The United States Military Academy at West Point.
While stationed in COS, I lived on the south-side of Colorado Springs where the costs were lower than north (Briargate and some areas near Air Force Academy).
Do a google search for the ‘Colorado Springs Gazette’ which is the local newspaper for the town to get a feel for the rental/purchase costs.
this looks like a good area to train from…close to the garden of the gods(is running good there?)…quick ride to get on 24 and head out of town to some better riding?..is there a pool close to this area?
"There is but one ‘Academy’ and that’s The United States Military Academy at West Point. "
Sorry if I offended your delicate sensibilities. In my defense, I am not military. The only Academy in Colorado Springs that I have ever been to is the Air Force Academy. When I was a college rugby player we played at the “Academy” 2-4/year. As far as I know West Point does not field a women’s rugby team. …katy
Hey where did that nasty smiley come from??? That is so not me.
If vanity isn’t an issue, there are some apartments on Hancock Expressway, approximately 2 miles off Academy Blvd., owned by a church I believe. My rent was $380/mo for a 1Bedroom/bath back in 97-99. I don’t believe the prices have risen much (since then).
If you go farther south near Ft Carson, you may come down to the 300-350 range. Plenty of Army guys are deployed and the rental market can certainly use the push.
Winter weather is great if you’re into ‘Survivor’ like conditions for maybe 2-3 days max. for the most part, it snows in the late eves, early mornings causing ‘late arrival’ warnings for school and the military bases nearby. By afternoon, the roads are relatively clear.
Good luck. If you need anything else, let me know.
This one looks decent as well…how is bear creek park? Is looks like I would get on 21st street take that to 24 and head west outta town most days. Is 21st street busy?
Bear Creek Park, I’ve never heard of. That’s a relatively new development, I’d imagine.
21st St gets a lot of traffic during morning/pm rush-hour. Hwy 24W takes you to the mountains where there are plenty of things to do (take your MTB pick).