Floyd Hill s(u) by Bicycle - Velo

For drivers this summit has only one meaning: the last real uphill, when returning from a weekend in the mountains. It's a real uphill on a bicycle too, even if it is only a 700ft climb. This summit is located on a straight service road to I70. Unless there are traffic problems on I70, traffic is not a problem on a bike.

01.(mile00,5360ft) START-END EAST: jct Clear Creek bikepath - Kipling Ave, Wheat Ridge
02.(mile07, 5800ft) jct: I70 - Colfax Ave, Lakewood
03.(mile10,6400ft) jct: US40 - Mount Vernon Canyon
04.(mile16,7740ft) Mt Vernon Canyon - Genesee Trail(sh), and US40 joins I70 in Genessee
05.(mile18,7680ft) exit I70 to Co74 at El Rancho
06.(mile,7500ft) Co65 on left goes to Bergen Park; continue straight
07.(mile,7930ft) TOP: slightly west of Saddleback Mtn I70 exit
08.(mile,7210ft) START-END WEST: jct US40-US6 down Clear Creek Canyon

From East. The section of the profile between points1 and the lowpoint between points 5 and 6 is described on the Mt Vernon Canyon - Genesee Trail(sh) page, in a past time more succinctly called Genesse Saddle. In the section between points 5 and 6, US40 (this route) is removed from I70 and the ride is at its most peaceful. After Co65 joins at point 6. During this last part of the climb, the noise of straining motors on I70 eclipses the sound of one's own hard breathing to reach the summit by many decibels. US40 is right adjacent to I70 for this last part. At the top there is an antique business of some sort, and also possibilities to climb further into mountain suburbia on pavement, or on a mountain bike for connections to the Squaw Pass Road.

west side of Floyd Hill, as seen from Central City Parkway. The bikeable road can be seen to the left of the Interstate

From West. (described downwards). A fast roll with just one 90 degree turn at the end leads to the junction with US6. So where do you go from here ? Down US6 the bike path is not finished yet. Due to American tunnel paranoia the road was closed to bicycles, but is open now.

Following Clear Creek upstream, the route passes a quarry and then appeared to directly lead onto chaotic I70, But wait a second - isn't this part of the highly publicized Plain to Peaks bicycle Route - on I70 ?

This area is currently going extensive reconstuction. So the next paragraph is probably no longer true.

Acutally - going back down the highway ramp there is a turnoff that af first sight looks to be exactly what it is, the I70 off ramp from the other direction. But looking more closely there is also a very short lane in the opposite direction, which leads to the continuation of the bike route towards Loveland Pass. There is no sign whatsoever at this junction, and I can't imagine that anybody who ever was here the first time, finding the route right away.