Pike's Peak
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
My sister lives in the Springs. The last time I flew out there, my brother-in-law said if we wanted to drive to the top we'd take my rental car because he didn't want to screw up his car. There's damned near no air up there at 14,200 so the fuel/air mixture would be all screwed up and coming down is murder on the brakes. Use engine braking.
Also, although they've now paved it all the way up, there still are no guard rails and there are very steep drop offs. Not something I'd like to do in the snow on a bike and it can snow unexpectedly.
Do what we did and take the beautiful ride out to Manitou Springs and take the cog railway up.
Also, although they've now paved it all the way up, there still are no guard rails and there are very steep drop offs. Not something I'd like to do in the snow on a bike and it can snow unexpectedly.
Do what we did and take the beautiful ride out to Manitou Springs and take the cog railway up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
We went up Pike's Peak way back in '89, the first week of August, and had a snow ball fight a little ways from the summit. One of the cool pictures I got was of a thunderstorm going by underneath us in one of the valleys. At that time, about half the route was still gravel. I remember seeing a road grader with a blade that looked like an Arabian sword, so it built up the edge of the road to keep people from going over the edge.
I also remember a spot where everyone coming down had to stop, and have their brakes checked for overheating. So many people don't understand the purpose of using low gear for engine braking.
I also remember a spot where everyone coming down had to stop, and have their brakes checked for overheating. So many people don't understand the purpose of using low gear for engine braking.
Last edited by MNPGRider; Jul 26, 2012 at 07:01 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 931
Likes: 11
From: Orlando, FL
Rode up there at the end of May with three of my buddies. It was 26 degrees at the summit. The ride up was nice, I guess. Cars in front of us were going really slow, so that kind of took some of the fun out it. The ride down was a lot better for us. I recommend the ride. We were on a 6000-mile trip from Orlando to Vegas (touch of Cali, Zion, Bryce, north rim, south rim, Million-Dollar Hwy...) and Pikes Peak was not in our ride plan. We added it before we left Colorado Springs - and I'm glad we did. Go for it.
Will try to add a pic in a minute.
Will try to add a pic in a minute.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Go to Manitou springs at the base of Pikes Peak and take the cog railroad to the top instead , you get the better views a neat ride and you have the better part of the day to cruise Garden of the Gods or just do the shops in old downtown which are neat . A cold one at the Royal tavern is nice way to sit out the afternoon showers that usually come through after 3 and are gone by 6 most days it's almost like clockwork this time of year . You can get some ugly thunder boomers but they rarely last . Lots of good side riding in the old gold & lead mine towns around there too .
Doing the ride up is pain in the *** , the bike nor you either one will like it and you have all the idiots with RV's to deal with on tight *** turns .
Doing the ride up is pain in the *** , the bike nor you either one will like it and you have all the idiots with RV's to deal with on tight *** turns .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jul 26, 2012 at 08:21 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: N/A
I'd stop at Bristol Brewery in the Springs if you have a chance - some good beers!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
PS--If you are a "flatlander" and live near sea level, the altitude may give you a bad headache, make you nauseous or even lightheaded and disoriented. Another good reason to take the cog railway.
Trivia--"America the Beautiful" was written after the poet was at the top of Pikes Peak. "O Beautiful for spacious skies..."
Trivia--"America the Beautiful" was written after the poet was at the top of Pikes Peak. "O Beautiful for spacious skies..."