US 36 Bikeway Sign
Trail Signage is Very Good
From what I could see, the US 36 Bikeway is nearly complete. That’s part of the good news. The other good news is that the trail is very well marked with clear signs pointing the way to Boulder & Denver. The trail also goes beyond Sheridan Blvd. now too. So that’s the third good news. It is also very wide and smooth with some fun hills and corners to keep it interesting. As of October 20, 2015, the Bikeway only goes as far as Cherryvale Road going west, but it probably will go all the way into Boulder soon. Another positive aspect of the trail is lots of side routes to explore including plenty of exits into Louisville including both the town center and near the top of Davidson Mesa.
Why the Change from Boulder to Denver Bikeway to US 36 Bikeway?
US 36 Bikeway Ends?
For those of you who have been following the Trailsnet blog, you’ll remember that this bike path was originally being called the Boulder to Denver Bikeway. Now it is called the US 36 Bikeway. I wondered why the name change… until I got to the east end. You’ll notice I didn’t say “until I got to Denver.” Because the bike trail doesn’t seem to go to Denver as originally promised. Before you get all the way to Denver, you will reach a sign that says Bikeway Ends… in the middle of a neighborhood. Huh? Whatever happened to the bike trail between Boulder and Denver? If anyone knows the answer to this, please feel free to leave a comment below. First Boulder County lost out on the promised commuter rail and now Boulder County residents don’t have their trail between Boulder & Denver. And let’s not even talk about the toll scheme on US 36. Talk about taxation without representation.
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The US 36 Bikeway will be completed in early 2016. The east end terminates at 80th Avenue in Westminster, where cyclists can then connect to other bicycling facilities to get to Denver. The US 36 Bikeway is being constructed as part of the US 36 Ecpress Lanes Project, where the project boundary east terminus is Federal Blvd. in Westminster.
Author
Thanks for that information Audrey.
At one time there was talk of connecting the US 36 Bikeway to Clear Creek Trail which would then take riders to the Platte River Trail and into Denver. Is that still a possibility?
Yes, it is. the US 36 Bikeway ends at 80th Avenue. Cyclists can then proceed to Bradburn Blvd. to connect to the Little Dry Creek Trail, which then connects to the South Platte River Trail to Denver.
Author
Thanks Audrey.
When I rode the US36 Bikeway, I tried finding the Dry Creek or Clear Creek trail but ultimately failed. I’ll give it another try with your directions and share the route w/ Trailsnet subscribers & visitors.
Hi there, I’m curious if this connection was attempted yet? I’m also curious to know if there’s plans to create a more direct route from the terminus of the US 36 bikeway to Downtown Denver?
Regardless, it’s great we have this bikeway now and have an ability to go to Denver via bike safely. Thanks for the comments in this section, it’s very helpful.
Author
Hi Greg. I’m glad you asked. A couple weeks ago I attempted/made the connection from the end of the Cycleway into downtown Denver. I will be doing a blog post about it sometime soon complete w/ map and notes. But for now, let me summarize. The first thing I had to do after reaching the “end” of the 36 Cycleway was to ride on a street for a ways. The good news – It wasn’t a very busy street. The bad news: It was a street.
Then, theoretically, I was supposed to ride the Little Dry Creek Trail until it connected w/ the Clear Creek Trail. That is a complete mess due to the current transit construction project. Very little of the trail is available for riding on at this time. It’s totally demolished and completely inaccessible.
However, when the transit construction is completed and Little Dry Creek Trail is back to normal, it should be a fairly simple connection. The earliest I see that happening is November 2016, but no promises on that. Realistically, it may not be until 2017…