Ride it in 60 seconds
The pillars at the base — the door to the climb.
km 1.4 · 1 of 6The Story
Every road-riding town has its test climb. Golden's is Lookout Mountain, and the Lariat Loop is the civilized way to ride it — a lasso of smooth pavement thrown over the first wave of the Rockies.
The climb announces itself immediately: the famous pillars at the base, then 7 km of steady 5–6% through switchbacks that M-shaped your Strava profile long before Strava existed. This road has been ridden hard for a hundred years — it hosted stages of the Coors Classic — and it wears the history well. The grade never brutalizes you; it just keeps asking.
Buffalo Bill's grave sits at the top, which tells you something about how the West does summits. The gift shop has water and terrible, perfect coffee.
Then the ride opens into the loop proper: Genesee's rolling parkland (actual bison herd, fence recommended for photos), the fast bend through Bear Creek, and a return along the hogback where the plains stretch out like a tide. The final descent back into Golden is pure velvet — wide lanes, sight lines forever.
Fitness-wise it's one sustained effort and then playfulness. Skill-wise, the only ask is descending confidence: you'll touch 60 km/h if you let it run. Let it run.
The Beta
Field notes from the curator — water, hazards, and the stops worth planning around.
- Golden — Clear CreekStartkm 0.0
Park anywhere downtown. Coffee at the roasters on Washington Ave before you roll.
- Lookout Mountain summitSummitkm 6.7
2,290 m. Buffalo Bill's grave, a gift shop with water, and the whole plains at your feet.
- Summit gift shopWaterkm 6.7
Fountain inside, open 9–5. In winter the outside spigot is off.
- Idledale storeFoodkm 16.8
Small market with cold drinks and snacks — the only resupply on the back half.
- Golden bike shopBike shopkm 27.2
Full service two blocks off the route. They've seen every mechanical Lookout causes.
- Lariat Loop pillarsViewpointkm 1.7
The classic photo. Early light is best; afternoons backlight the canyon.
- Bear Creek bendHazardkm 15.4
Two decreasing-radius corners with gravel wash after rain. The guardrail has opinions. Brake early.
Take It With You
FIT includes course points for Garmin & Wahoo