A challenging 200km double loop through the Arkansas Hills region.

Statistics

1

day +

3,189

m

3,189

m

4

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Difficult

Description

The Guffey Huffer is a massive 200km double loop running from Salida to Guffey, down to Cotopaxi, and back to Salida.

Dreamt up by the [Colorado Endurance Series](https://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/ddf200k/), most years there is a coordinated non-commercial ride on this route.

But is this a race? As the Colorado Endurance Series says, "This isn’t some heavily marketed, corporate sponsored, contrived route on a grid of dirt roads.

This is an adventure.

This is an experience.

This is a big ride.

Times will be kept and recorded but is this a race? That is up to you.” The Guffey Huffer doesn’t take it easy on you—the first climb from the town of Salida to the top of the Arkansas Hills and Fremont County is one of the most difficult on the route! Once to the eastern side of the Arkansas Hills the route rolls through wide-open prairie and low hills to reach Guffey.

Guffey is one of the few resupply points during the ride. After swinging around to complete the far loop, the ride doubles back on the same section of dirt road before dropping south toward Cotopaxi.

The ride south to Cotopaxi crosses over some beautiful mountains that feel wet and wild after the high-and-dry prairie near Guffey.

The beautiful aspen groves and pine trees provide a refreshing change of pace.

After crossing the ridge, you’ll drop into a canyon and descend all the way to Cotopaxi—the low point of the route.

After a resupply in Cotopaxi, all that’s left is a gradual, scenic climb along the Arkansas River to return to Salida.

While the climb is gradual, the roughest and rockiest portions of the route are found in the last 15 miles.

Skillful bike handling on these rough roads is mandatory! Source: https://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/ddf200k/