Writer Brianne Sanchez and her family took a two-wheeled approach to tourism on a recent trip to Colorado Springs. (Photo courtesy of Brianne Sanchez)
By Brianne Sanchez
A few weeks ago, I stood among several dozen cyclists, making final adjustments and small talk before we planned to pedal out of Buffalo Lodge Bike Resort in Colorado Springs.
When you’re staying in bike-friendly accommodations like “the Buffalo,” as locals call it, a hometown jersey is the perfect conversation starter. The one I wore, with “Iowa by Trail” branding and an illustration of the High Trestle Trail, caught the eye of several riders, especially since the Buffalo’s owner Torie Giffin and her late son, Daniel, appeared in “Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary.”
Giffin bought the historic motor court lodge in 2016, transforming it into a laid-back destination for people who want to explore the Pikes Peak region on two wheels. The quirky accommodations piqued my interest with a booth at the Iowa Bike Expo, a late-January event that brings cycling enthusiasts out of hibernation. The 47-room resort features private outdoor entrances, modern interiors and bicycle-themed decor. Find a “watering hole” bar and self-serve waffle breakfast in the lodge, which acts as a living room for guests and community members who stop in for live music.
My family finally booked a long weekend stay in early October, to coincide with the Buffalo’s second annual “Buffalo Grass” bluegrass festival. We loaded two bikes onto our car for the drive out, planning to borrow another pair from the lodge or rent extras from a nearby shop. Serendipitously, my husband and tween daughter snagged a tandem from the rack out front, figuring they could team up to tackle the hills together.
The Buffalo is a short ride from historic Manitou Springs. We pedaled toward Manitou Depot and opted to take The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the mountaintop. Passengers enjoy a scenic, relaxing ride to the summit. Hardcore cyclists who are up for a challenge can achieve some major elevation, especially on designated days when vehicle traffic is limited. Or take the Cog up and coast down this famous “fourteener.” Alternatively, cross-train by conquering the 2,744-step Manitou Incline. (A free, online reservation is required.)
On Saturdays, a no-drop group ride leaves from the Buffalo at 10 a.m. In such a ride, no rider is left behind; leaders designate someone to stick with the group’s slowest rider. As Midwesterners still not acclimated to the elevation, I figured my family would take up the rear. Our hilly, 10-mile route skirted Garden of the Gods, an iconic natural landmark we’d explored on foot the day before. Everyone regrouped on the grounds of Glen Eyrie Castle, posing for a group photo near the resident herd of grazing bighorn sheep.
After a challenging ride (or as a relaxing alternative!), take a dip in the Buffalo’s heated pool. On a music-filled weekend, you could catch a few sets while floating within earshot of the main stage.
If you go
Cycling-friendly stays are about more than feeling comfortable strutting around in spandex. Look for amenities like on-site rentals, secure storage, fix-it stations.
Driving distance from Des Moines: 10.5 hrs.
Reservations: Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort. Check the calendar for special events.
Resources: Colorado Springs cycling.
Contributing writer Brianne Sanchez writes about the inspiring people and places all around Iowa in our dsm and ia publications. You can also find her work in Better Homes & Gardens and Iowa State University Foundation’s Forward magazine.
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