Knock knock......hello?

[Mhanis]

Hey guys, I am sticking my nose in here from the Dallas Fort Worth area of the board for a little advice.

I am coming to Denver at the end of the month and I am trailering my bike. I expect to get a few days of riding done while I am there. I need to know what to bring in terms of gear for riding in the mountains this time of year. I cannot ask my buddy I am meeting as all of this is a surprise orchestrated by his wife.

What is it like in the mountains this time of year? Do I need full on cold weather riding gear or is it just cooler up there? I am sure we will not be doing anything extreme, no dirt riding or anything like that, just nice pleasant rides through the mountains.

Help a brother out!

Mark

[Manny]

Hi and welcome!

It's mostly warm during the days right now, but has been raining in the afternoons and evenings lately.  I believe that rain here is a bit colder than rain in TX, so a warm layer may be in order. Otherwise be prepared for riding in 80-100F weather.

Have a great trip!

[Mhanis]

So is 80 what to expect at higher elevations? I know that Denver can get pretty darned hot, I was expecting cooler up in the mountains though.

Mark

[ZLTFUL]

It really varies...

Unless you plan on spending time above 10k feet though, normal summer riding attire will be fine.
Mid to late summer tends to be "monsoon" season in the mountains where every afternoon around 4-6 you get some rain squals. Then things cool off and dry up. Just pack some rain gear and you should be fine.

Aside from that, it will be similar to Hill country this time of the year at lower elevations. Warm, dry, the resinous smell of the pines...

Damnit...now I want to be in CO...

[Randimus Maximus]

Aside from that, it will be similar to Hill country this time of the year at lower elevations. Warm, dry, the resinous smell of Mary Jane....

Damnit...now I want to be in CO...

Fixed.

It is Colorado, after all. 

[ZLTFUL]

Keep forgetting about all the hippies... 

[Randimus Maximus]

Did you make it out here?

[Mhanis]

Yes I did, and what a crappy weekend it was weather wise last weekend! I arrived late Friday night so no riding then, Saturday was cool and we rode about 100 miles. We went up from Boulder to a waterfall that was closed due to falling rocks, then we continued up and wound up coming out in Golden. I figure you would know the roads based on the description. The weather was worse Sunday, cold and pretty rainy, no riding. Only a short ride on Monday to the reservoir that supplies Denver its drinking water before we left for manitou springs. I did get up to the top of pikes peak from there though!

We,ll be home later tonight, unfortunately no more riding after Manitou, just pulling the bike.

All in all it has been great fun!

Mark

[Randimus Maximus]

Yeah, the weather here is a bit manic.

Hope you've been having a good time and your buddy was surprised.