Bicycling in Golden

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    • Why we love our bicycling community…and they love us!

    Bike Friendly Community

    Golden was selected as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Cyclists and awarded the bronze for its efforts to improve infrastructure for bicyclists following the 2008 Bike Task Force Recommendations.

    USA Pro Cycling Challenge™

    The City of Golden is proud to have been selected to host the start of the final stage (Stage 6) for the first ever USA Pro Cycling Challenge™, “America’s Toughest Bike Race,” (formerly named Quiznos Pro Challenge) in two years in a row. A wall of race fans and bicycle enthusiasts turned out to cheer racers on for their inaugural sprint through Golden. 

    With the assistance of almost 500 volunteers and staff, the turn-out was phenomenal both years, with minimal problems. Tens of thousands of fans lined the streets of Golden and to cheer on racers and show their community support.

    Levi Leipheimer (Team Radioshack), the USA Pro Cycling Challenge™ overall winner in 2011, commented on the amazing turnout before the Stage 6 race began. “Today has been the biggest crowd that I’ve seen in the U.S. and that is really saying something because the Amgen Tour of California has produced some enormous crowds. Today really raised the bar for American cycling.”

    Once racers had cleared city limits, on their way to the race’s end in Denver in 2011, Boulder in 2012, onlookers headed to Parfet Park to watch the USA Pro Cycling Challenge™ conclusion on a jumbotron, and celebrate the completion of a well-executed event.

    Watch the top video that got Golden chosen to host the Stage 6 start of the race, and just below it, a wrap-up video with highlights of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge™ as it rolled through Golden in August 2011. 

    Complete Streets Policy

    City Council adopted a policy to address the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders, as well as motor vehicles, when constructing or reconstructing major roads.

    Golden Bike ParkGolden Bike Park

    Tony Grampsas Park now has the first purpose-built, mountain-bike-only trails in Golden.

    Ride options include a downhill flow trail, bi-directional access trail, skills area, and beginner pump track. The gravity-fed flow park features rollers, berm turns, and table-top jumps that are suitable for beginners, and also offers options for advanced riders to launch their bikes.

    The Bike Park is volunteer built and maintained, and they ask that riders not ride when it’s muddy, or brake hard on the berms. For more information and to view a map, visit the Golden Bike Park website.

    Highway 6 Trail Completion

    The shared use path along Hwy 6 is now complete from 19th Street to Clear Creek where there has been a gap in the trail system.

    Jackson Street Corridor

    A new bike lane and wider sidewalks along Jackson Street from 14th Street to 24th Street now connects the downtown area to Golden High School.

    Golden Bluffs Trail Connection

    Cyclists and pedestrians are now able to get from Golden to the C470 trail system on a shared use path that begins at Golden Heights Park.

    44th and Salvia R.R. Crossing

    The BNSF railway has recently improved the R.R. crossing at 44th and Salvia. This was identified by Golden’s Bicycle Task Force in 2008 as a high priority fix, so this is very good news for local cyclists. Even with the improved crossing, however, the angle of the tracks is such that well-marked bike crossing points are still necessary for safety. These bike crossings will be improved by the Streets department in the near future to make the asphalt and transitions smoother.

    Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) Beginner Rides

    New to mountain biking? Join us for organized rides designed to introduce entry level riders to the sport of Mountain Biking. Learn trail etiquette, outdoor preparedness, riding skills and have fun!

    Rides will take place the 2nd Thursday of every month from May through September.  Meeting time is 5:45 p.m. with wheels rolling by 6:00 p.m. Ride locations will change, so check the COMBA web site for more information and to register. Rides are limited to 24 participants so register early. 

    Come join the fun and learn the exciting sport of mountain biking in a friendly, “no-drop” ride environment. See you there!