Here at Mobilebikeman.com, we have been traveling often to Highlands Ranch. We’ve noticed the abundance of awesome cycling there! With street routes, bike friendly paths, and easy access to major bike paths, Highlands Ranch presents great opportunities for cycling. Whether you live there already or want to bike out, Highlands Ranch is a great place for cycling in Colorado.
You may be familiar with the Highlands Ranch area and have some ideas about it already. But did you know that Highlands Ranch was one of the first planned live-work-nature communities in the Denver area? City planners took the time to think about the balance of open space and housing. When you look around Highlands Ranch, you see houses and mature trees, fields, and rolling hills.
Highlands Ranch – Becoming a suburb
In 1978, a large parcel of land in unincorporated Douglas County was purchased by The Mission Viejo Company. As the suburbs of Denver expanded, the company desired to build a new planned suburb, called Highlands Ranch, in northern Douglas County, akin to its first planned development of Mission Viejo, California.
Initial plans were drawn up, many of which are still being realized. These plans laid out several major streets and called for several schools and recreation centers, as well as a town center and public library. Large parcels of land were sold to private housing developers. As these developments appeared, they often carried their own names, creating a series of segmented neighborhoods throughout Highlands Ranch.
Plans for Highlands Ranch also included a snaking “green belt” which provided for undeveloped land for recreation. The plans also allowed for a large number of public parks and bike paths.
The Highlands Ranch area has many cycling options for road, mountain bike, and beyond.
The C-470 Bikeway—also known as the C-470 Trail and Centennial Trail in Douglas County—provides open views of the Colorado foothills as it follows the southwestern segment of Denver’s beltway. Along the way, the trail provides access to many desirable destinations such as Chatfield Lake, Green Mountain and Bear Creek Lake Park, as well as retail centers in Centennial.
Spring Gulch Trail is a 5.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Highlands Ranch, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September
A quick ride southeast of Highlands Ranch will lead you to Castle Rock, another beautiful Colorado community with lots of cycling opportunities.
Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival June 3 2018
The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival began with the cycling boom in 1987. The first year introduced over 1,200 cycling enthusiasts to the spectacular views of Colorado’s Front Range. For years thereafter, the number of riders grew as word spread about the gorgeous courses and the gracious hosts. The event’s growth continued with the introduction of the mountain bike ride in 1991. That same year and every year since, the festival has attracted more cyclists than any other cycling event in the Rocky Mountain region. The 2017 Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival had over 5,500 riders.
Colorado Bike Expo June 2-3 2018
The Colorado Bike Expo has a new home at the Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival. In its fourth year the expo will bring together industry professionals, recreational riders, biking enthusiasts and utilitarian’s with the latest products, consumer trends, screaming deals, organized rides, clubs & teams, advocacy groups and cycling destinations.
The two-day festival will also include BMX flatland and aerial stunts, a kid zone, bike rodeo, learn to ride clinics, demos, fashion show, live music, beer garden, food trucks and more.
Highlands Ranch Mountain Biking
The Highlands Ranch Community Association is a great resource for area mountain biking. Trails include:
Mountain Biking in Roxborough Park
On the southwestern edge of Highlands Ranch lies Roxborough Park, replete with mountain biking options for all levels of riders. And great views!
Are you excited about cycling in the Highlands Ranch area?
Mobilebikeman.com can help you get your bike ready for the ride. Maybe you need some new tires, thorn resistant tubes, a tune-up. Or perhaps you need help assembling a bike you bought online! Whatever your cycling needs, Mobilebikeman.com can help. We come to you!
Happy Riding! 🙂