Aside from some ranch land, there's nary a sign of humanity for miles. Rock cliffs and sandy washes dominate the landscape, and may even prompt you to whip out your phone for a photo. That said, the roads are very well maintained, with regular grading and a very predictable surface. And even though the route traces several valleys through rolling mountains, the amount of climbing is very mild by Colorado standards—just 1,000 vertical feet in 15 miles.

The transition from the wilderness of the mountains to the small podunk town of Rockvale is almost immediate. After rolling through this rundown town, you'll connect via a series of paved roads back to the bike path to complete the loop.