CategoriesFamilies, individuals, Lifestyle, Team Building by

Colorado Springs for Thrill Seekers

Colorado Springs is an excellent place to be an outdoors enthusiast. There are so many ways to enjoy nature and the beauty of Colorful Colorado. But if you like to get the adrenaline pumping and hiking doesn’t cut it for you, you are probably wondering where in Colorado Springs you can go for some real excitement. From zip-lining to rock climbing, and mountain biking to white water rafting, there are plenty of heights and sights for everyone. So if you are a serious thrill seeker, we’ve got the perfect list for you. Let’s take a look at the top outdoor activities near Colorado Springs.

Photo by Ty Downs on Unsplash

Zip Lining Courses Near Colorado Springs

There is no better way to get the blood pumping than with a high-altitude zip-lining course. On Broadmoor’s Wood Course, you can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour as you cruise above a canyon and a waterfall at heights of 150 feet. If you need even greater thrills, the Fins Course is for intermediate zipliners and reaches heights of 500 feet. Zip lining is an awesome outdoor activity! It’s a great way to see the landscape around Colorado Springs and enjoy an action-packed day. It’s perfectly safe, great for kids, and a fun way to make memories with friends.

Best Mountain Biking Spots near Colorado Springs

If you are a cyclist looking for more adventure, you’ve surely considered getting into mountain biking. To get started mountain biking, you will need the proper bike and safety gear. You’ll also need some tips and tricks for navigating rocky trails. Once you’re ready to try it out, Red Rock Canyon Open Space has some of the best beginner mountain biking trails in the Colorado Springs area. 

One of the best thrill-seeker biking activities, however, is not actually a mountain biking trail. Biking down Pikes Peak is a 19.5-mile road course that starts with you taking the famous Cog Railway up to the summit of Pikes Peak. Then, the guided biking tour zigzags down the mountain. You’ll enjoy epic views and as much speed as you can handle. This adventure is one serious thrill for cyclists. 

Where to Go Rock Climbing in Colorado Springs

While indoor rock climbing is a fun way to get the blood pumping, it’s nothing thrill-wise compared to climbing outdoors. There are tons of amazing spots for outdoor rock climbing near Colorado Springs. Without any ropes for safety, bouldering is definitely a scary and thrilling way to climb. You can boulder pretty much anywhere climbing is allowed, and Colorado Springs has no shortage of options. One noteworthy place for bouldering is Ute Valley Park, which has a wide range of bouldering problems. Beginners to advanced boulderers can enjoy a day climbing in this park – just be sure to bring crash pads and a friend to spot you!

Another thrilling form of climbing is sport climbing. Unlike top rope climbing where the rope is above you, sport climbing involves lead climbing and sometimes setting your own gear. One popular location for sport climbing is Red Rock Canyon Open Space, which has mostly bolted climbing routes. This means that you don’t need to set anchors as you climb – just clip in and go. Be aware that you will need to acquire a free permit in advance. If you aren’t ready to invest in rock climbing gear or still need to learn the ropes, consider signing up for a guided rock climbing tour. You can enjoy the thrill of outdoor climbing, see the best sights Colorado Springs has to offer and decide if the sport is for you. 

Photo by Caleb Jack on Unsplash

How to Hike a Colorado Fourteener

Maybe hiking alone isn’t an adrenaline-pumping activity. But thrill seekers will love the opportunity to cross a Colorado Fourteener off their list. There are a number of beginner-friendly 14er hikes near Colorado Springs to get you started on your mountaineering journey. You can plan a training regimen for hiking at altitude and enjoy breathtaking views of the Front Range of the Rockies when you summit your first fourteener.

Colorado Springs White Water Rafting Trips

We’ve got the best thrill-seeker activity for water lovers: white water rafting. Colorado Springs is chock-full of awesome places to dip in on a hot summer day. The Arkansas River is particularly well known among water enthusiasts as having some amazing rapids in this region. A white water rafting trip typically has rapids between Class II-IV, which is perfect for folks who aren’t too experienced with the sport but still want a wild ride. Some of the waves can get up to three feet high, giving this white water rafting tour a roller-coaster feel. You’ll certainly end up wet and smiling after a day floating down the river on a Broadmoor white water rafting tour. 

Unique and Exciting Sights near Colorado Springs

Last but not least, we’ve got some thrilling adventures that are less exercise-based. If you are in the Colorado Springs area and trying to get outdoors but not necessarily exercise, we’ve got you covered. If you are looking to go wildlife spotting, you can expect to find bighorn sheep, bison, and elk near Colorado Springs. While Rocky Mountain National Park is a safe bet, there are wildlife refuges and parks closer to Colorado Springs that are popular for wildlife spotting and birdwatching. Golden and Commerce City, outside of Denver, are two great spots that make for a great day trip from Colorado Springs.

One popular and thrilling day trip from Colorado Springs has to be Royal Gorge Bridge. It’s over an hour from Colorado Springs. This adventure park has a ton of options for thrill seekers and relaxed tourists alike. Aside from standing on this suspension bridge 956 feet over the Arkansas River, there is also a gondola, a zip line, a sky coaster, and more.

Final Thoughts

There are unlimited ways to have fun in Colorado Springs. It is the perfect place to be if you are looking to get into a new outdoor sport or hoping to see something cool in nature. No matter what you choose to do, make sure to wear the recommended safety gear and obey the law. Consider starting with a guided tour as it is the best way to get all the beginner instruction you need before you branch off on your own.

Categoriesindividuals, Lifestyle by

What to Include in Your Bike Repair Kit

As we enter the warmer months, you are surely excited to get back in the saddle and hit the trails. Beginner cyclists and mountain bikers need to be aware that you will need more than just a helmet and water bottle. There are a few biking tools you should carry with you at all times. A simple bike repair kit can keep you from a serious inconvenience on the trail. We’ll go over the essential bike maintenance tools so you can assemble a basic bike repair kit for your trip.

Essentials for a Bike Repair Kit

If you think about all the emergency biking maintenance you may have to do mid-ride, you can quickly pull together a list of essential biking tools. For any adjustments to the bike or to tighten a loose part, you could need an Allen wrench, a Torx wrench, or a screwdriver. For an issue with your bike chain, you could consider bringing lubricant or even a chain tool for a multi-day biking trip. The biggest problem you might face mid-ride is a flat tire. A good bike tire repair kit will certainly include a pump and might also include a spare tube, tire levers, or a patch kit.

The Beauty of a Bike Multi-Tool

The first thing to do is examine your bike (or owner’s manual) and get a sense of all its nuts and bolts, literally. One common issue mid-ride could be that you need to make a quick comfort adjustment to the seat or handlebars. If you are on a mountain biking trail, another big concern will be that you may find that some screws loosen from all the jostling the bike experiences on the course. To address these problems, you will likely find that your bike requires a couple of sizes of hex keys (also called Allen wrenches), a Torx wrench, and maybe a screwdriver.

A great way to get all of these tools in one is with a bike multi-tool. There are a ton of options on the market that will give you the tools you need in a compact and lightweight device. Most multi-tools come with 2-8mm hex wrenches, for example, but double-check what you need before you buy one. Also, keep in mind that not all multi-tools are the same. There are many price points for these because some will be more comfortable to use than others and some will be more durable. If you are a serious rider and want something that will last, consider a fully metal device with a comprehensive set of bike tools.


The Basics of Bike Tires

Getting a flat tire on a ride is such an inconvenience. It would be even worse, though, if you failed to bring a tire repair kit and needed to walk your bike out and hitch a ride home. The best way to avoid a flat tire is to inspect your tires before you head out and select a tire pressure appropriate for your ride. This is the first step of a pre-ride bike inspection and arguably the most important. 

Your bike’s tires will have a recommended range of air pressures (around 30-70 PSI for mountain bikes and 80-130 PSI for road bikes), and you can choose anything within the recommended range. If you don’t yet know your personal preference, inflate your tires to something in the middle. Less-inflated tires are great for off-road mountain biking because they can absorb more shock and get more grip on wet ground. More fully inflated tires will have less resistance and allow you to go faster, which will be better for road cyclists. 

How to Handle Mid-Ride Bike Tire Repairs

Every time you rest on a ride to get water, you should inspect your tires and see if they need a little air. In order to refill your tires, then, a pump is an absolute must for any bike repair kit. If you do get a flat, there are a few other bike tools you will want to have. A simple bike tire patch kit is an economical and lightweight option for addressing a small tire puncture mid-ride. However, patching a tire does take more time than a full replacement (waiting for glue to dry, etc.), so many riders opt to replace the tube mid-ride and patch the old tube later. 

Especially if you are on a longer mileage ride or multi-day trip, you will need to carry a spare tube and tire levers in order to fully replace a tire. This is also necessary for a larger hole, a hole near the valve stem or base, or a full blowout. While you hope this won’t happen to you, it is always possible, especially when off-road mountain biking, and better to be prepared.

Bike Chain Maintenance Tools

While a bicyclist on a simple day trip will probably not carry bike chain tools, it may be wise for a multi-day bike tour. At the very least, chain lubricant and a lubricating tool are great options for keeping your chain running smoothly. When you finish every ride, be sure to get the muck out of your bike’s chain to preserve it and prevent issues in the future. Learning how to clean your bike and take care of the chain are great skills for every bicyclist to have. If you do need to repair the chain, it will require a chain breaker or splitter, spare chain links, and a chain tool.

When to Bring Which Bike Tools

Depending on your gear, these items could be small and lightweight or add up to be a bit bulky. You might not want to bring all this gear on every ride, and it can be okay to go without some bike maintenance tools sometimes. Which of these items you bring will depend on a number of factors, including your planned mileage, whether you will be on- or off-road, and your bike’s particular needs. 

For a short day ride that is on-road only, a basic bike repair kit can be as simple as a tire pump, a tire patch kit, and a multi-tool. Before you leave, you should make sure your chain runs smoothly, check your tires for deformities, and test the brake pads. You should also be sure to check the weather and any fees or regulations if you are headed on a bike ride in a state or national park. 

If you are headed onto a mountain biking trail, a spare tube and tire repair kit are highly recommended as the chances of tire damage are much greater. A multi-day trip will require more gear so you don’t have to end the trip early due to a chain problem or worn-down brake pads. Finally, consider a guided mountain biking tour for professional instruction as you start your journey into bike ownership and maintenance. Happy riding!

Categoriesindividuals, Lifestyle by

How to Train for a Bike Tour

Are you wishing you could go on an epic bike tour of Colorado Springs’ best attractions? Or maybe you want to prepare for one of Colorado’s annual cycling events. It doesn’t take much to train for a bike tour. With just a little preparation, you can feel confident in your riding abilities and enjoy your time in the saddle exploring the sites.

Training for a bike tour consists mainly of cardio workouts and strengthening for the legs, back, and core. You should also include flexibility training to ensure your muscles do not tighten in response to the strength training. We’ll go over what a typical week of bike training looks like so you can get riding in no time.

Strength Training for a Bike Tour

If you’re not used to riding a bicycle, your legs will struggle to keep up on a bike tour. Strengthening your leg muscles, back, and core will keep you comfortable as you sit and work your leg muscles for hours on end on a bike tour. 

Leg Workouts for Biking

To prepare for a bike tour, you will need to build strength in the quadriceps, hamstring, and gluteus muscles. You can do goblet squats and lunges (or split squats which are static). Start with no weight and progress to doing them with a dumbbell. These will help strengthen the leg muscles that interact with the knee and keep your knees happy and healthy during your bike tour. 

Glute bridges are a great way to work out the butt muscles and the hip flexors making sure that you will be able to tolerate so much leg exercise in the sitting position. If you are not used to biking, you will notice your quads and hips getting tired first. That is why exercises like these are key for improving bicycle endurance.

Other leg exercises for biking include calf raises for the lower legs and side kicks for the outer quad muscles. Finally, you can use a stationary bike to practice one-leg pedaling. This is a strenuous but effective exercise because it forces your hips to work harder. When you pedal with both legs, it is common to push down more than pull up, so one-leg pedaling strengthens those pulling-up muscles. 

Photo by Meghan Holmes on Unsplash

Back and Core Strength Training for a Bike Tour

Moving up the body, back and core workouts are also crucial to get you in bike-tour shape. Legs are not the only muscles that you will use when spending a day or more in the saddle. You also need to strengthen the muscles that keep you sitting upright on the bike. Romanian deadlifts are one of the best exercises to train the lower back. These exercises will help prevent discomfort when sitting for long periods of time. Unlike traditional deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts work the core more than the legs because you do not lower the weight to the ground and squat. When doing these, be sure to have the proper form and avoid rounding your back.

While deadlifts work the lower back and core muscles, you will also need to strengthen the erector spinae muscles, which travel the length of your back from the neck to the pelvis on either side of the spine. These muscles are important for posture and keeping upright on the bicycle. One great exercise for these back muscles is a quadruped, or bird dog, exercise. Start with your hands and knees on the ground and raise one arm and the opposite leg while keeping your core tight. This is a great way to strengthen your core for bicycling.

One final muscle group not to forget is the arm muscles. It is easy to overlook upper body workouts when thinking about bike riding, but you would be surprised at how tired your arms can get. When you think about the proper positioning on a bicycle, you actually use your arms a lot. Typically, bicyclists push against the handlebars for leverage, especially when biking uphill. And boy, are there a lot of hills involved in a Colorado Springs bike tour. Training your arms for a bike tour might consist of push-ups, planks, and side planks.

Cardio Training for Endurance Biking

You do not need to bike every day to train for biking. In fact, your cardio workouts can be anything. You can cross-train on a treadmill, with a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout, in a pool, or on a rowing machine. You can go jogging or hiking, or play a cardio-heavy sport like soccer or boxing. Cross-training is a great way to keep your schedule exciting and work out different muscle groups at the same time.

An ideal schedule for training for a bike tour is five or six days a week, alternating cardio and strength training days. You can plan to include one or two cross-training days per week, and make sure you are getting on the bike twice a week. Due to time constraints, you may plan a shorter ride of an hour during the week and a longer endurance ride for the weekend. You can plan for a two or three-hour weekend ride to start, and one great option is a guided bike tour. The distance you plan to achieve will determine the endurance rides. You can build up to it gradually over a few months or longer.

Pack Training for a Bike Tour

One essential step of training for a bike tour is pack training. Do not forget that a multi-day bike tour will necessarily include you carrying a backpack on your back or at least on the bike. This added weight will be quite a shock when you start if you have not introduced it during training. You can build up to it by starting with no weight and adding five pounds at a time. Once you have completed a month of training, including core and back exercises, you will find this added weight is no problem.

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

Best Stretches for Bicycling

Anytime you work out, either strength training or cardio, you need to stretch, too. Bicycling can easily cause joint pain and sore muscles if you are tight. Flexibility is essential for comfort and muscle endurance. That is why you should stretch every day, even on off days. 

Focusing on leg stretches, you will want to include hamstring (touch your toes), IT band and hip (figure 4), groin (butterfly), and quad (bring your foot to your butt). Key hip flexor and core stretches include reaching for the ceiling and the yoga cobra pose. Finally, keep your spine muscles flexible with neck and back stretches.

Final Thoughts

Training for a bike tour is a fantastic goal to keep you motivated to work out every day. You can also see some beautiful places in Colorado Springs as you train for the big event. Choose one of these six best mountain biking spots for an endurance ride, and you will surely come to love your biking training. Please always wear a helmet, follow bike safety guidelines, and have fun. Happy riding!

CategoriesFamilies, individuals, Lifestyle, Team Building by

Cycling Events Near Colorado Springs this Fall 2022

If you are looking forward to hopping on your bike this fall, you’re going to want to check out these awesome cycling events near Colorado Springs. Colorado is known for its gorgeous landscape, and the fall is the absolute best time to take advantage and explore the state’s natural beauty. 

Within a couple hours of Colorado Springs, you can find tons of fun and exciting opportunities to ride with other cycling enthusiasts. There are plenty of courses available for beginnings, youngsters, and competitive riders alike. Here are just a few of the best Colorado cycling events you can enjoy this fall in 2022. 

CU Boulder Buffalo Bicycle Classic

When: Sunday, September 11, 2022

Where: Boulder, CO

Register Here

This historical ride is celebrating its 20th year this September, and now is a great time for you to try it out. There are nine different courses for riders of all ages and abilities, ranging from 14 to 100 miles, and all riders are welcome, even those with e-bikers and trailers. The longer routes head west to the foothills of the Rockies and take you to Nederland, then up to Allenspark. If you haven’t been cycling in Boulder, it is a beautiful place!

Aside from how fun the courses look, this cycling event is also the largest scholarship fundraising event in Colorado. Registration and donations support local “scholars” – Colorado residents attending CU Boulder. At less than two hours driving from Colorado Springs, this cycling event is a great opportunity to challenge yourself.

Pikes Peak APEX 

When: Thursday, September 22, 2022

Where: Colorado Springs, CO

Register Here

This epic cycling event is something you do not want to miss. It is a four-day mountain biking challenge with a total of $25,000 in prize money. The course is, on average, about 30 miles and 3,000 feet elevation per day and takes you cycling through all the must-see locations near Colorado Springs. You will get to explore Gold Camp Road, Palmer Park, Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Cañon, Royal Gorge Park (including biking over the Bridge!), and so much more. It is not too challenging on technical biking abilities, though it will certainly challenge your endurance. If you have checked out the Pikes Peak Cog Up Bike Down tour, then you might have some idea of what to expect.

There are also two options for folks looking for something a little less intense. You can sign up to cycle for just one day – either Thursday or Sunday – and complete the route without worrying about the competition. This option is perfect for beginner cyclists looking to get started in more formal events as it follows USA Cycling regulations and will give you a great feel for the spirit of the competition. If you are considering signing up, don’t wait: because of permit and preservation limitations, there are only 370 slots available, so get yours today.

Photo by Axel Brunst on Unsplash

Denver Century Ride 

When: Saturday, September 24, 2022

Where: Denver, CO

Register Here

This Colorado cycling event is a really unique opportunity. All of the courses are urban and take you through the streets of Denver. Not only is this a really cool way to explore the city, but also it will get you used to street cycling and show you all the ways the bike-safe streets of Denver connect. If you are considering commuting to work or cycling more in urban areas, this is a great way to get started and learn how to stay safe as a biker on the road.

The routes are 25 to 100 miles long and open to riders of all ages on all types of bikes: tandem, e-bikes, trailers, and more. The shorter routes take you through downtown, City Park, and the Denver Botanical Garden for what is surely a quaint, scenic ride. The longer rides will give you a tour through the greater Denver area, all the way down to Chatfield State Park and up to Golden. This supportive cycling event is a fun way to see Denver and get comfortable with cycling on urban roads. 

Gravel Locos 

When: Saturday, October 1, 2022

Where: Pueblo, CO

Register Here

The Gravel Locos cycling events happening on October 1 are epic. There are four race options, the shortest (La Pequeña) being a non-competitive 30-mile course and the longest (La Loca) a ridiculous 170-mile race with a 13,242-ft elevation gain. The three competitive, timed races will give you the chance to compete against some high-profile cyclists and see how you match up. 

Just an hour south of Colorado Springs, this event is a great day trip during a consistently beautiful time of year. You will enjoy a picturesque ride through Pueblo and the front range of the Rockies. One nice plus is that the ride is for a good cause: the event is supporting the Red Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue to help them expand their firehouse.

The ‘Rad Dirt Fest

When: Saturday, October 8, 2022

Where: Trinidad, CO

Register Here

In a beautiful part of Southern Colorado, just two hours south of Colorado Springs, you can enjoy one of three invigorating cycling events. These races are wonderfully scenic, as you will bike past the Spanish Peaks, mesas, and plateaus and surely see some interesting wildlife. The roads are maintained but gravel and dirt, so it is definitely a different feel than biking on paved city streets.

The course options are The Frijole, at 38 miles, the Anteloop at 99 miles, and the longest Stubborn Delores at a killer 166-mile race with an 11,213-ft elevation gain. The longer two races will take you west from Trinidad toward the Spanish Peaks Wildlife Area and San Isabel National Forest. The races may be tough, but the views will surely make it worth it. 

Final Thoughts

There are so many fantastic cycling events near Colorado Springs, not just in the fall but year-round. If you are thinking about getting into cycling or mountain biking and are not sure where to start, you can check out a guided mountain biking tour. This will allow you to see if you like it, learn some helpful safety tips and techniques, and learn more about Colorado’s cycling community.