Riding up Pikes Peak toll road to the top

[CopB8]

Have many of you taken the Pikes Peak toll road to the top? My wife and I are planning on doing it next week.

Those of you that have done it, do you recommend it? Any suggestions or helpful hints? About all I know is that it's going to get pretty cold on the top and that there's a couple of gravel sections to look out for and that's about it.

How much time should I allocate to going up, enjoying the top, and then coming back down again?

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Alot of FJRs went up last year on the way to NAFO. I highly recomend it if it's dry, wet is another story. About half of it is smooth dirt, the rest is paved. You'll probably run into some construction as well, they do it during the summer on the hill. As the driver you'll see alot more on the way down then you will on the way up, you'll see what I mean. We did 8 passes ove 10K and Pikes Peak on the way to NAFO and Pikes Peaks was the highlight. Have Fun :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 

[Patriot]

How much time should I allocate to going up and then coming back down again?

if you go over the edge, should be pretty quick...

 

[wfooshee]

It's been about 10 years since I've been up, and never on a bike. I don't know how far they've extended the pavement. Take warm clothes, and then you'll have the right to laugh at the girls in bikini tops shivering in the 45-degree cold. I've been snowed on at the peak in August, so you can never tell.

I've never done it in wet weather, wouldn't want to.

Picnic grounds about halfway up is really a good place to stop and, um, have a picnic. There's also a nice overlook at the W's, it'll be pretty obvious, what with all the parked cars and people walking around.

The road is usually excellent, not what you think of at all for a mountain road. Plenty wide, and while there are some switchbacks, most turns are not so tight you'll be in fear of oncoming traffic.

Take some money to spend at the bakery at the top. Thin air makes for good donuts.

The trip up and back could easily consume a half day, at least. On our trip we did Pike's Peak one day, and drove down to Royal Gorge the next.

 

[CopB8]

It all sounds great.

Here's to hoping for sunny skies next Tuesday! :drinks:

 

[scubatech]

As mentioned it's a well maintained dirt/paved road. Also a race track for the famous Hill Climb. I think it was $10.00 last time i went up there. If you like to hike, you can start at Manitou Springs and do the Bar Camp trail to the top. It's thirteen miles as I remember,incredible hike! Visit the town of Manitou while your there.Nice mountain town.

 

[extrememarine]

I did it in October '07 on my way to California along with Independence Pass the same day.

Conditions were less than ideal. Actually, I should not have gone up. I was early in the morning, so most of the dirt section was still frozen, which was good on the way up (not slippery, just hard dirty). The road was closed about a mile from the top due to snow.

On the way down, it was very difficult. I was loaded (3 hardbags, full tankbag, cargo on the passenger seat). The sun had begun to thaw the road, turning it into a slippery snot in spots. I had to stay off the front brake, and work between rear brake ABS and using 1st / 2nd gear to keep forward momentum slow. I just aimed for the shady spots.

The road from the toll station down was a different type of dirt/gravel, and it did not present any issues.

Overall, if the weather is clear, I'd say no worries - just keep your speed in check on the way down and remember your on gravel.

-wayne

 

[Geezer]

I went up last year during NAFO. It is definitely worth the ride. The road was being improved at the time so there was a lot of construction vehicles and a few spots where there was a single lane. Most of it is easily passable and a few spots have loose gravel where you will need to be careful, especially riding two up. On the way down I was in traffic and just cruised mostly in second gear with very little braking necessary. About half way down there is a ranger checking brake rotor temperature on the cars. He made many of the cars pull over to cool off, but he just waved me on with just a quick glance at my rotors.

When I got to the top I was a little light headed due to the thin air at altitude. I never did get used to the altitude in Colorado, so maybe it's just me. I was lucky to be at the top in clear weather so the views were great.

 

[mdisher]

Go! and if you can, hit Mount Evans as well, it's paved to the top.

-MD

 

[CopB8]

I did it in October '07 on my way to California along with Independence Pass the same day.

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, you were LOADED UP on that thing!

Great picutures. Thanks!

 

[Roy Epperson]

Another one you might consider is Mt Evans at 14200ish feet. We were there that day before it closed for the season last year - chilly but nice and a great view! We argued with ourselves about going up as we got to the base at about 3:30. Had a great time at the summit and then at the lakes just below the summit. Well worth the trip and it is paved to the top - or as far as you can go on an bike.

 

[JR'SFJR]

I did Pike's Peak again Sat. The first 10 miles were paved, next 3 gravel, next 3 paved, and the last 3 gravel. The weather was dry so it went well. A Gold Wing ,2 up ahead to me, turned around. $10

I did Mt. Evan's yesterday. Exit 240 off I 70. It's paved all the way with a great view. One rough section about 1/2 way up. Only $3. Enjoy JR

 

[GPRIDER]

I did Pikes Peak around 27 years ago. It was pretty scary once you got into the dirt road towards the top. I'm guessing they have made some improvements since I was there. I was on a XS1100 with my girlfriend on the back. There were no guard rails and the dirt was pretty loose. Pretty wild on the switchbacks when cars are coming toward you in the inside lane and I was on the outside wondering which one was going to nudge me over the edge. Glad I did it though.

GP

 

[Geezer]

Yeah, there were still some scary sections last year with no guard rails and a long way down if you went off. And the flaggers were guiding us even closer to the edge than normal in the construction zones.

Even Mount Evans, paved all the way, had some scary places. I couldn't believe all those bicyclists cruising down the mountain on the outside edge of the road. Both of these roads are safe, but qualify as an adventure.

 

[GunMD]

I did it last year after NAFO (with a nasty hangover) and it was pretty cool. Not a real technical road, but worth being careful on.

 

[TheAxeman]

There was an interesting article in the AMA magazine about the Van Buren sisters, the first women to ever ride motorized vehicles (motorcycles) to the top of Pikes Peak.....This was after riding across the country from Brooklyn in [SIZE=14pt]1916![/SIZE]

Van Buren Sisters

 

[HaulinAshe]

Last month I made the cross-country transition from sea level to 9,000 feet in two days of traveling. There was rain/snow on Pikes Peak the night before we planned to ascend. That, plus some pretty funky side-effects of altitude sickness forced me to change my mind about the PP road.

Just saying there is more to consider than weather, especially if you live near sea level.

I'm going back, but next time I'll spend a day or two in higher elevations, then plan on Pikes Peak.

 

[Sagebrush]

WARNING: July 2009 — Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — Mount Evans will be closed!

ALSO: Mt Evans will be closed from 9 PM on July 17 to 1 PM on July 18.

:stop: :stop:

I may miss see the sucker, I rode down from Rocky Mountain NP today and saw the Mt Evans info this evening.... Sucks. I guess I'm headed to Utah... Maybe I can catch the trip up on my way back east after the Utah tour...