About cycling & running in Colorado SpringsColorado Springs Training Notes
Running: Locals run Colorado Springs like a trail town with city shortcuts. Pikes Peak Greenway cuts through the center of town and stays about the flattest paved running path between Monument Valley Park and Woodmen. The Midland Trail runs four paved miles from America the Beautiful Park to Manitou Springs. Garden of the Gods gives you 15 miles of trails, and Bear Creek Regional Park gives you 10 miles off road. Jack Quinn's Running Club meets Tuesdays downtown, and Sunrise Striders goes early. Garden of the Gods 10 Mile/10K and Trail Run feels like the anchor event.
Cycling: Colorado Springs Cycling keeps the road scene social, with Tour de Latte rolling Saturday mornings and going from about 10 miles in May to 20-25 later in summer. Saturday Resort Rides hit Garden of the Gods, Gold Camp Road, Manitou Springs, Flying W Ranch Road, and Blodgett Peak. Colorado Springs Mountain Bike Association and Kids On Bikes keep the dirt side moving. 7 km. Pikes Peak APEX and 719 KOM Challenge sit on the calendar.
Season: June through September gives runners and riders the cleanest training block. Colorado Springs sits at 6,000 feet, so locals keep Z2 honest and treat intervals with respect. Summer brings 243 sunny days a year, the Starlight Spectacular in Garden of the Gods, and the all-women's cycling ride. May can still put snow on Pikes Peak, so a clear-looking day still gets an extra layer. Winter changes the rhythm more than the goal, with chinook patterns bringing fast warmups and dry roads back into play for base miles.
