85 Mile

Distance: 84.2 Miles
Elevation: +3,906/ -3,907 ft
Max. Grade: 9.5%
Avg. Grade: 0.0%
Start/Finish: The Shops at Northfield – 8354 E 49th Ave #1740, Denver, CO 80238
Time: The departure window for all 85 Mile Riders will from 6:30am-7:00am

With fewer miles and 2,104 feet less climbing, the 85-mile course will not be as demanding as the Full Century. We recommend this route if you want to discover and explore the roads, trails, lanes, and parks to circumnavigate the Greater Denver Metro Area. This route is contiguous with the 100-mile cyclists but bypasses the climb up Lookout Mountain in exchange for a gentler grade over Dinosaur Ridge and its stunning views.

After passing through Downtown Denver, you'll ride west towards Golden. You peddle south past Red Rocks, through Bear Creek Lake Park with its short but challenging climb up Mt. Carbon, and continue south to Deer Creek Canyon. The course then turns north and east through Littleton and Englewood before heading back north to Northfield.

If you are going to do this route, we recommend that you put some miles on your legs and do some climbing in the weeks before the ride. over Dinosaur Ridge and it’s stunning views..

Like the 100 Mile route, the 85 Mile route is designed to help cyclists discover how easy it is to get out to the mountains by bike with the Downtown Denver skyline in full view and relish in the proximity of city and country. It highlights some of Denver’s bicycle commuter routes and casual riding areas, but this route joyfully eliminates the challenge of the climb UP Lookout Mountain as not everyone has the need to climb like a mountain goat. Below is a photo tour of a few things you may see on the route:

6:30am – 7:00am: All 85 Mile cyclists start

**All cyclists riding the 85 MUST be through Aid Station #1 by 8:1510am. Any cyclists remaining at Aid Station #1 after 9:30am will be directed to ride the 25 mile route. This is for rider safety; after 9:30am there will be no Denver Police Department support along the longer routes.

If a rider does not make the 50 mile split at W Florida Ave. and S Pierce St. by  9:45AM (mile 19.6) they will be directed to Continue straight on S Pierce St. and continue on the 50 mile route.

4:00pm – The 85 mile course closes