This ride takes you South from Fort Collins to the North side of Longmont, Colorado, then up into the Foot Hills via 1 of 2 routes to Estes Park then back down to Loveland. Both route start the same. Begin in Fort Collins (A) and follow US 287 South through Loveland, Colorado (B). Continue following 287 south bypassing Berthoud, Colorado to the intersection of Colorado Highway 66 (C) on the north end of Longmont, just past a Wal-Mart Superstore. Turn west on Highway 66 towards the mountains and continue through the town of Lyons, Colorado. At the west end of town (D) you can either head NW on US Rt 36/CO Highway 66 directly into Estes Park, or take the longer more scenic Colorado Highway 7 SW towards Allenspark. Once you get to the top of the South St. Vrain Canyon, don't get confused and turn south where Rt 7 is intersected by Colorado Highway 72 (E), but continue north toward Allenspark and Estes Park. By taking this route, you'll be treated with great views of Longs Peak (over 14,000'). Either way, when you get into Estes Park (F), find US Highway 34 and take it East down Big Thompson Canyon back to Loveland and then find your way back to Fort Collins. The stretch between where Rt 72 connects in near Allenspark and Estes Park is part of what is called the Peak to Peak Highway. That georgous mountain highway will be covered in another ride. There's no gas between Lyons and Estes Park regardless of which route you take, but both are relatively short.
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