Cross the Continental Divide on 3 Stunning Road Rides

3 of the most epic high alpine road rides in Colorado!

Greg Heil

Images

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View of the highway is it nears the top of the pass

by Greg Heil

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Climbing toward the top of Cottonwood Pass in the Fall

by Greg Heil

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Continental Divide on Cottonwood Pass

by Greg Heil

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Top of Cottonwood Pass

by Greg Heil

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Sunset on Cottonwood Pass

by Greg Heil

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Tennessee Pass, as seen from above

by Greg Heil

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Description

While paved roads in the High Rockies are few and far between, the few that you will find provide some of the most visually-stunning—and challenging—road biking in the United States!

But even then, not all road rides are equal. Some of the more significant highways in Central Colorado are choked with traffic, have fast speed limits, and narrow or non-existent shoulders. However, there are a few gems to be discovered!

These three road cycling routes cross the Continental Divide via four different passes (the Copper Triangle crosses the Divide twice, with a third alpine pass that’s not on the Divide). All three of these roads see less traffic compared to passes like Monarch, but riders can still expect to see plenty of vehicles, especially in the peak of summer. But all three of the highway passes have the benefit of slower speed limits thanks to the twisty highways, and Vail Pass is crossed via a dedicated bike path. The only high-speed mountain pass in these three rides is Fremont—the one pass technically not on the Continental Divide.

Don’t want to worry about the traffic? If you have the flexibility, try to plan your ride early in the morning mid-week. And for the truly advanced ride planners, watch for the brief 1-2 day window on both Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass between the time CDOT finishes clearing snow, and when the passes officially open to motor vehicle traffic. If you hit that window perfectly, you’ll enjoy a completely traffic-free pedal over the Continental Divide!

Adventures

Independence Pass

Pedal your bike over 12,000 feet, with stunning views in all directions.

Cottonwood Pass

A stunning alpine pass that's refreshingly light on traffic.

The Copper Triangle

One of the most renowned road rides in Colorado, crossing three major passes.