Loveland Pass

Loveland Pass is a popular route used by Denver locals to access nearby ski areas in the winter. In the spring, summer and fall, when temperatures are more welcoming, cyclists power over the Continental Divide on this switchback-heavy route. The road is a constant climb, with a steady 6.7 percent grade. If you need a breather, use Keystone as a rest point. Best-known as a winter ski area, Keystone is a full-service town year-round. The town of Dillon, on the route’s western end is quaint and welcoming, and a number of residents are avid cyclists themselves. The entire ride laces through evergreen forests, and the top of the switchback section provides a superb vantage point for views into a high-mountain valley.