Help plan my trip

There are 12 shops listed under Bicycle Rental-
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Bicycle+Rental/S-CO/T-Color...
I've never rented so can't recommend but you might look by proximity to the area you're staying in.
I know people who had a good experience renting Bikes at Both
Criterium Cycles
http://criterium.com/content/index.php/341/newrentalrates-copy3crop...
ProCycling
http://procyclingwarehouse.com/the-store/demos-rentals


Bike with the Colorado Springs Bike Club- there are 8 rides over Sat-Mon on Labor Day Weekend, including the Sunday Hill ride on the West Side, either Sat or Sun Fitness Rides, Ballon Glow ride Balloon Lift off ride, Latte Ride, and Dinner Ride... something for everyone.
http://www.viethconsulting.com/members/calendar4.php?org_id=CSCC&cu...
Or, if timing means you'll ride on your own- Rent from Procycle and Ride Road in Garden of the Gods, or Mtn in Red Rock Open Space, then have a Micro-Brew at Trinity Brewing on GOG Rd.
http://trinitybrew.com/

For a Hike or Run on your own, I also recommend Red Rock Open Space.
For a run with others, check the Pikes Peak Road Runners website
http://www.pprrun.org/
Saturday there's the Free Nielson Challenge 2mile in Monument Valley Park downtown, (I expect to be there), and a 5K on the South end of town at the Fountain-Fort Carson High School.

The American Discovery Trail Marathon will be held on Labor Day, with a Half Mary and Relay, it'll run along a trail from North of town in Palmer Lake, right through the to "America the Beautiful" Park, downtown. The course begins at 7,225ft, ends around 6,040ft.
http://www.adtmarathon.com/

If you don't want to Run a race, run with one of the many (12? I think) running groups in town-
http://www.pprrun.org/news/running_groups.htm
Examples-
Saturday 8am Boulder Running Company Running Group for a run in Palmer Park in the Center of the City.
Saturday is also the day Team C.R.U.D. (Coloradans Running Ultra Distances) take their long runs... they going about 30miles with some serious altitude right now, like running from town up to Rampart Reservoir (9100ft) and around it (14.7 miles) and back- ~30 miles.
Sundays the Incline Club has their long runs, but they just did the Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon last weekend, and just had their end-of-season party tonight, so it's a few weeks off for most of 'em.
Monday night Soul Runners at Trinity Brewing, 4 or 8 mile.
Tuesday run with either Jack Quinn's downtown on Tejon- 3 mile, or "Nacho Ordinary Running Club" at Salsa Brava in Briargate, also a 3 Mile.

Go Ape!

The Air Force Academy offers both elevation and scenery for road and mountain biking.
It's my favorite place to road ride. Wide shoulders, calm traffic that is generally very respectful, nice hills that get you working but aren't killer. Easy navigation.

The Falcon Trail on the Academy offers (I've heard, but not experienced) fun mountain biking.

Palmer Park, in the north central part of town, offers great trail running and technical mountain biking.

For a long, steady ride - take a mountain or cross bike on the Santa Fe trail. It goes from south Colorado Springs to Palmer Lake. It's about 8 feet wide, dirt/crushed gravel or paved the whole way. It's generally "up" going north and "down" going south. You really feel the up outside of Monument but it's so gradual that you don't really ever see the up. It's not technical and there is no motor traffic.

Rampart Reservoir is great for a moderately technical mtn bike ride (Team Telecycle in Woodland Park used to rent mtn bikes, not sure if they still do or not) or trail run - about 13 miles around the res. I can't remember the exact distance...

I second the recommendation on renting from Criterium or Procycling.  The service at Criterium is great, and they offer a decent selection. I also second the USAFA as a great route.  Very easy to navigate, great views, calm traffic, decent climbing.  I know this was mentioned already, but worth repeating.

I ride with the Springs Cycling Club (bikesprings.org) on Saturdays, and they are a great, friendly group to ride with.  I am heading out of town that week, so won't be around Labor Day weekend.

As far as nightlife....Downtown has plenty of good bars.  I am also a fan of the Golden Bee next to the Broadmoor.  The Bee can have a long wait depending on the time you arrive.

Hope this helps,
Chris 

I'm another fan of riding and running at the Air Force Academy. But be aware that there is a home football game there on Sept 11 (Sat) and they sometimes close Stadium Blvd starting 2-3 hours before the game. You can still ride Academy/Pine/North Gate but can't do the full loop, although you could just exit at North Gate, then go south on Voyager to Hwy 83 and back in at the South Gate.

If you are further south, Gold Camp Road is a great ride. ProCycling is now located down south and would be able to give you directions. For a killer climb, try Cheyenne Canyon. And of course, Garden of the Gods is another good ride, and very accessible from ProCycling.

In town, for trail running, Ute Valley Park is great, or again Garden of the Gods (the great thing about riding/running at GOG is that you are both working out and sight-seeing at the same time! I guess that's true at the AFA too.)


I'm beginning to wonder how many of these Springs people I've seen at the AFA... 

Edited by lodewey 2010-08-28 3:46 PM

OK, I meant to say there is a football game Sept 4 (there is actually one both the 4th an the 11th, but the one on the 4th is the only one you will probably care about.)