| 1 | Big Thompson Canyon-Devil's Gulch Road by Sanjay, Jul 5, 2008, 75 miles, 7658 ft ascent, 7669 ft descent, near Hygiene, Colorado, US |
| 2 | Longmont to Hygiene by Subbu Allamaraju, Jun 27, 2007, 17 miles, 628 ft ascent, 365 ft descent, near Longmont, Colorado, US |
| 3 | Hygiene to Morey by Sanjay, Aug 20, 2006, 70 miles, 3072 ft ascent, 3075 ft descent, near Hygiene, Colorado, US |
Total distance: 75 miles
Total time: 5 hours 22 minutes
Total ascent: 7658 ft, Total descent: 7669 ft
Rider notes: We (Seth, his girlfriend and myself) from Hygiene Elementary School. The "standard" route to Carter Lake needs no explanation. Mostly flat.
Big Thompson Canyon (US-34) is a moderate climb. It is a spectacular canyon with awe inspiring granite walls on both sides, formed by the Big Thompson river.
Devil's Gulch road, which begins at the hamlet of Drake, is also a fairly moderate climb up to Glenhaven. The steepest part of the road is about a mile past Glenhaven where for about a mile it climbs at an average grade of about 8%. There are a few sections that are much steeper.
We turned back after the steepest section.
Refuelling possiblities: The "Dam Store" just before entering the Big Thomson Canyon (US-34W). We also saw a cherry pie store just after leaving the canyon. Drake has a bed and breakfast place where one may find water (or beer more likely). Glenhaven has a general store where you can get the basics. The storekeeper/owner usually keeps jugs of water outside the shop for bicyclists.
Traffic: On US-34 the traffic is medium to heavy. But there is a broad shoulder. Devil's gulch road has light to moderate traffic; no shoulders.
Scenery: Nothing short of spectacular.
Total distance: 17 miles
Total time: 1 hour 7 minutes
Total ascent: 628 ft, Total descent: 365 ft
Rider notes: I could not complete this ride today, as I felt dizzy.
Total distance: 70 miles
Total time: 5 hours 4 minutes
Total ascent: 3072 ft, Total descent: 3075 ft
Rider notes: BigThompson Canyon-Drake-GlenHaven