Biking in Breckenridge
 

We would love to bike in Breckenridge. I notice that several of the rental companies offer a shuttle to the top of Vail Pass and then you ride down. Anyone done this?--I notice the real bikers ride up the Pass. Also looks like the paved paths are great.

We are not interested in mountain biking. I prefer a mostly level or downhill ride.

I have wonderful memories of riding the Vail Pass bike path. You can see small lakes in meadows and streams that are not viewable from I-70, even though the path mostly parallels I-70. It's definitely worth it and so beautiful. Can't guarantee that it will be entirely downhill. We rode it from Vail to Copper and back which included plenty of uphill, and though it was a really tough ride, it made the downhill portion so worth it. It's definitely a worthwhile experience and great way to experience the beauty of the rockies.

The bike paths around that area are great. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I have never rode a bike shuttle up to Vail Pass though.

I've seen shuttle buses that advertise the ability to shuttle bikes to the top of Vail Pass, though I've never done it. I would guess that it's pretty much downhill the entire way (which I don't like, personally, as I don't like riding my brakes that much, and I like a workout, though not necessarily the kind that I would get riding UP to the top of Vail Pass). It's about 5 miles from the top of Vail Pass west to Copper Mountain, then another much more gradual downhill from Copper to Frisco.

There's a paved path from Breck to Friso; that's about 9 miles. It's almost entirely downhill (except for an uphill bit at about mile 7), though so gradual that you may not notice that it's downhill until you start on your way back UP from Frisco to Breck. You can take a bus (the Summit Stage) that has a bike rack from Frisco to Breck (or vice versa), but the buses only hold 3 bikes, so the bike racks often fill up quickly.

Another ride, more beautiful than the one from Breck to Frisco, in my opinion, is the ride around the top (north) end of Lake Dillon, from Friso to Dillon or Silverthorne or Keystone. Also a paved path.

We have done the shuttle you asked about: both renting the bikes and using our own. First thing I would suggest is doing it in the morning so you don't get caught in the frequent but short rain showers in the afternoon (late summer). You do not coast all the way into Breck from the trail start; but the elevation change is in your favor :-)

Depending on your mood this could take you a half day with stops for pictures and breaks. Paths are smooth and can be busy. We've done the ride with my elementary aged children.