Challenge Unlimited – Pikes Peak by Bike

Challenge Unlimited and Adventures Out West bring the recreation exhilaration you’ve been craving in your Colorado adventures with unforgettable Jeep and bicycle expeditions that will take you to the tippy-top of our famous regional namesake — Pikes Peak, or along the historic Gold Camp Road in the Rocky Mountain backcountry.

Your journey to the top of Pikes Peak begins in one of Adventure Out West’s customized, open-air Jeeps, a whole experience of its own. You and your crew will be driven up the Pikes Peak Highway in style, able to sit back and relax as you enjoy views of the exceptional Rocky Mountain wilderness and frequent opportunities to capture every memorable moment on camera. The Jeeps only carry 5-6 people so your ride to the summit is practically a personalized tour, complete with one of Adventures Out West’s super cool and always entertaining guides.

At the top of the world’s most accessible fourteener, you’ll have time to take in sweeping panoramic views from the observation decks of the brand-new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center. Adventures Out West provides you with Columbia summit parka and a souvenir neck gaiter to keep you warm as you explore and a keepsake water bottle to keep you hydrated at high altitude. The center offers interactive exhibits, a gift shop and world-famous hot and fresh donuts to warm you up for the final adventure — a 19-mile cruise back down the Pikes Peak Highway via mountain bike.

Adventures Out West professionally outfits riders with a cooler-than-cool mountain bike and a trusty helmet. Your bike will be adjusted to fit you just right to ensure you’re completely comfortable before you are set free for 19 miles of downhill cycling awesomeness. You’ll roll down the same curves cruised by professional race car drivers and elite cyclists from all over the world while your knowledgeable guide shares cool facts about Pikes Peak and the Pikes Peak region. 

If you think the top of Pikes Peak is cool, then you’ll definitely want to explore the backcountry that surrounds it. The off-road adventure on the historic Gold Camp Road offers you the chance to do just that, either with a guide or on your own. The latter is the perfect option for cyclists who like a little more independence during their ride, while the former works great for social riders who like to let someone else take the lead.

The same nifty, open-air Jeeps that take riders to the top of Pikes Peak will deliver you to an elevation of 10,000 feet for the start of your backcountry cruise. The same rider limits apply, so you’ll also get that personalized tour feel that makes the journey extra special. On the ride up, you’ll have time to savor the scenery and picturesque views.

You and your fellow riders are then released into the Pike National Forest for the experience of a lifetime. You’ll take a permitted mountain bike ride along a downhill route that includes an old railroad bed made up of a mix of rock and gravel and passes through multiple tunnels. The sights, sounds and smells of the forest surround you as you navigate the route, offering you a sense of peace even as your heart races and your pulse pounds from the excitement of the ride. The route spills out into historic Old Colorado City where you’ll find plenty of places to chill out and rehash the experience over a hot meal and a cold beverage.

The best part is that Adventures Out West plans and covers all the big details like routes, rides, bikes and safety gear so you and your fellow adventurers need only worry about maximizing your fun at every opportunity. There’s no need to wrestle your bike onto a plane or search for the right rental around town, it’s all a part of Adventure Out West’s exceptional service. They’ve got 50 years of guiding experience under their belt, so you’ll be in the capable hands of experts in safety, exploration and all things Colorado.

If you’re ready for a unique and exciting Colorado cycling adventure you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll love Challenge Unlimited’s Pike Peak Expedition and Gold Camp Off-Road Expedition.