Pikes peak; anyone been there?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 9
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Good to know!
I am considering taking the long way back home from Sturgis and do Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. I understand Kansas is boring and ruling it out. Alternative is either go back north and head east through Nebraska or head south to Oklahoma or northern Texas before turning east. Still looking into attractions/ things to see before making final plans.[/quote]
Nebraska is 10x worse than Kansas.
I am considering taking the long way back home from Sturgis and do Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. I understand Kansas is boring and ruling it out. Alternative is either go back north and head east through Nebraska or head south to Oklahoma or northern Texas before turning east. Still looking into attractions/ things to see before making final plans.[/quote]
Nebraska is 10x worse than Kansas.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Good to know!
I am considering taking the long way back home from Sturgis and do Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. I understand Kansas is boring and ruling it out. Alternative is either go back north and head east through Nebraska or head south to Oklahoma or northern Texas before turning east. Still looking into attractions/ things to see before making final plans.
I am considering taking the long way back home from Sturgis and do Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. I understand Kansas is boring and ruling it out. Alternative is either go back north and head east through Nebraska or head south to Oklahoma or northern Texas before turning east. Still looking into attractions/ things to see before making final plans.
I wouldn't let the the lack of beauty in Texas or Oklahoma sway your route because the best thing that came out of those 2 states is I-35. Kansas and Nebraska are about as equally mind numbing. Anything North and West of Little Rock is pretty as is quite a few roads in Missouri. Table Rock Lake area and Eureka Springs Arkansas is beautiful but that is a hefty trip out of Colorado and boring as hell getting there.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 2
From:
Ugh I have to look at it every day out my window...its paved all the way as others have said, gravel lot at the top, get a doughnut its great! Manitou Springs is a cool little town as well. Stop in Old Colorado City at Thunder and Buttons and have something to eat, food is the best!
Yes, it's paved all the way up now, except the lot. Get the doughnut in the shop when you get there. Not sure what it is about frying up a doughnut at 14,110', but they're amazing! But don't bring any down... they don't survive the extra pressure and get dense and greasy.
Our non-motorized 2 wheel brethren (bicycles) are now legal on the PP Highway so watch out for them, too. I may give my lungs and legs a try that way at the end of the summer, if I think I'm in good enough shape.
Because the air is already so thin, you don't want to displace what little O2 you get in your lungs with smoke!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Two of you really don't know why you shouldn't smoke at 14,000 feet? Come on. I am an ex smoker and don't do the fitness thing, but I thought everyone knew how much harder it is on your body and brain to smoke at that altitude.
I will answer it for you. Don't smoke at 14,000 feet because unless you are a local and used to it, your brain and body is already starving for oxygen.
Dennis
I will answer it for you. Don't smoke at 14,000 feet because unless you are a local and used to it, your brain and body is already starving for oxygen.
Dennis
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I wouldn't let the the lack of beauty in Texas or Oklahoma sway your route because the best thing that came out of those 2 states is I-35. Kansas and Nebraska are about as equally mind numbing. Anything North and West of Little Rock is pretty as is quite a few roads in Missouri. Table Rock Lake area and Eureka Springs Arkansas is beautiful but that is a hefty trip out of Colorado and boring as hell getting there.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 589
From: Running with the gators
Thank God I live here in Colorado and do not have to be bored getting to the mountains. Im 30 minutes from Mt Evans, an hour to Trail Ridge, and an hour to Pikes Peak. Plus, I worked on the paving crew when we paved Pikes Peak. I had to haul 25 tons of asphalt up the mountain in a 18 wheeler end dump. That was a thrill in itself. I'll have to take the new Heritage up these roads this June when I take vacation.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 4
From: Denver, CO
I've ridden both roads a few times and have climbed both peaks from different routes numerous times.
The Pikes Peak road is much wider than the Mt. Evans road, especially nearing the summit on the switchbacks.
In fact, comparing the two roads, the Pikes Peak road is like a highway and the Mt. Evans road is a much narrower two lane road.
The switchbacks on the Mt. Evans road can get somewhat tight especially if you have traffic on 'em going in both directions.
Both roads are excellent to ride on and if I had one road to ride... it would be the Mt. Evans road.
The Pikes Peak road is much wider than the Mt. Evans road, especially nearing the summit on the switchbacks.
In fact, comparing the two roads, the Pikes Peak road is like a highway and the Mt. Evans road is a much narrower two lane road.
The switchbacks on the Mt. Evans road can get somewhat tight especially if you have traffic on 'em going in both directions.
Both roads are excellent to ride on and if I had one road to ride... it would be the Mt. Evans road.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
The Wife and I will be cruising through Colorado beginning of August, and Pikes peak is on my hit list. I did Mt Evans, and a lot of the other high passes and roads a couple years ago, but never done Pikes Peak.
Looking forward to it.
And great pics guys, I'll be looking for this thread later.
Looking forward to it.
And great pics guys, I'll be looking for this thread later.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I don't remember anything on top of MT Evans, but there are refreshments on top of Pike's Peak! I love Colorado, but don't discount Wyoming. Jackson Hole up through the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and over Bear Tooth is a ride you won't ever forget!!!