Ride Profile

Ride Description

This out and back ride traverses the beautiful Wet Mountains of south-central Colorado on quality pavement with a small shoulder along the Greenhorn Highway.  This ride is not for the weak as it accumulates over 7,000 feet of climbing in less than 55 miles crossing numerous summits that approach 10% grade and reaches a highpoint 9,350 feet at Bigelow Divide.  The decents are just as steep and a pure thrill.  This route is part of the Frontier Pathways (www.frontierpathways.org/), a scenic and historic byway which is rich in history and scenery and not in traffic!  Highlights include Bishop's Castle, the largest man-made structure ever built by one person (www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709125-37.stm), beautiful Lake San Isabel and the many hills, forests, creeks and pastures of the San Isabel National Forest.  This is truly a gem of a ride!

 

Start Location and Parking

This route starts and ends at the intersection of State Highway 96 and 165 (aka McKenzie Junction) in the Wet Mountains of south-central Colorado.  There is ample roadside parking at this intersection.

Ride Directions

This route starts and ends at the intersection of State Highway 96 and 165 (aka McKenzie Junction) in the Wet Mountains of south-central Colorado.  The ride follows Highway 165 (The Greenhorn Highway) exclusively.  From McKenzie Junction head south on Highway 165 for 27 miles to the pastoral town of Rye, Colorado.  Retrace your ride back to the start/finish.

Food, Coffee and Juice Joints close to Start/Finish

There are few services along this route.  The towns of San Isabel and Rye along the route offer convenience store options for food and drink.  The town of Westcliffe, 15 miles east of McKenzie Junction in the heart of the Wet Mountain Valley offers quaint mountain town restaurants and services worthy of the gorgous drive. Cel Dor Asado (Westlciffe’s best and only Uruguayan restaurant www.celdorasado.com/) is sure to please after this demanding ride.

Food, Water, & Bathrooms along route

The towns of San Isabel and Rye offer basic amenties for food and restroom.

Recommended Bike Shops (name, phone, website)

This is a rural area with limited services.  The nearest bike shop, Great Divide, is in Pueblo 40 miles east the start finish on Hwy 96.

www.greatdividebike.com

400 N Santa Fe Ave
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 546-2453