Cycling in Colorado Springs' Monument Valley Park

One of the advantages to being a cyclist in Colorado Springs is that, with a few wintry exceptions, we can ride year round. Of course, if you are new to the area, or to the sport for that matter, you might be wondering just where to ride. You've probably noticed that Colorado Springs is full of cyclists, ranging from sponsored elite riders that think nothing of heading out for a hundred-mile ride to homeless folks that use their bicycles for transportation, to all levels in between. In the meantime, you're just looking for a place to pedal, be it after work or on a weekend.

If you're in the mood for an easy, short ride, consider taking your bike over to Monument Valley Park, near downtown Colorado Springs. Monument Valley is a fairly flat, expansive park that's popular with walkers and joggers - high school cross country meets are regularly held inside the park - and its flatness makes it an easy ride, ideal for families, beginners, or a riding date.

The main section of trail is a gentle, wide-open dirt path that makes up part of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. It runs north/south, along Monument Creek, from just north of Fontanero St. to Bijou St. Riding that section of path by itself makes for an approximately four-mile round trip - short, easy, and sweet. (Of course, if you're feeling particularly gonzo that day, you can ride the entire trail north to Greenland, and south to Fountain, but this is aimed more at the leisure-minded cyclist that just wants to get in an easy ride.) In addition to the north/south part of the path, there are also a couple of trails inside the park that allow a rider to ride a makeshift loop if it's preferred.