Keystone Bike Guide: Montezuma Road

Simply past Keystone lies one in every of Summit County’s best-kept secrets and techniques. As you permit River Run to the east, you might be introduced the choice to move towards the outdated mining city referred to as Montezuma. Not like the commonly congested U.S. Freeway 6 to Arapahoe Basin Ski Space, Montezuma Highway gives a good various. These climbs are equal in mileage, nevertheless there’s 500 fewer toes of climbing concerned with the latter. The meandering route leads you alongside the Snake River as you journey previous open fields and forest, thus making it a welcome alternative for native and touring cyclists. — Patrick Linfante

Montezuma Highway is sort of accessible because it extends the place Summit County’s present recpath ends. The route begins from Keystone’s River Run Village, however riders can select to experience longer by beginning with the recpath alongside Dillon Reservoir. As you depart the lakeshore and cross the picket bridge on the Snake River Inlet, you cross the fitting flip towards Swan Mountain and proceed heading straight. This 4-mile addition gives a light ascent that leads you thru the center of The River golf course at Keystone.

Cyclists can anticipate sparse crowds on this route compared to others all through the county. Though you’ll technically be driving on a street, there is no such thing as a want to fret. Montezuma Highway experiences a decrease quantity of car site visitors, and through gradual instances, you might solely see a automotive or two. The street can be distinctive by way of local weather. Throughout cooler months, in addition to cooler instances of the day, one can find varied climates all through the experience, together with encountering pockets of cooler air. Ensure you costume appropriately. In the course of the early and late seasons, you additionally may encounter patches of snow all through the route.

From River Run, head east. Montezuma Highway gives a average grade over the course of 5 miles. The grade is in keeping with minor will increase alongside the best way. The journey is peaceable, and it’s straightforward to get into a cheerful rhythm. Though the climb seems to be tame, it’s crucial that you simply go away a little bit fuel within the tank for the final mile. Nicknamed “Montezuma’s Revenge” on the favored app Strava, the final mile includes one-third of the whole elevation acquire for the climb. When you attain the place the pavement meets the dust, you’ll know that you simply simply conquered Montezuma. The one factor left to do is benefit from the reward that’s the descent.