Breckenridge - Lake Dillon Loop

Ride central Summit County

Breckenridge - Frisco - Dillon - Swan Mountain - Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a colorful bustling mountain town known for skiing, mountain biking, and year round special events. This year Breckenridge will host 4 stages of the USA Pro Challenge in August 2015.

Your ride starts near Main Street Breckenridge and heads down valley toward Frisco. The Blue River flows north through the valley toward the lake. The initial part of your ride will be a smooth downhill ride on the bike path from Breckenridge to Frisco.

It is possible to loop either way around the lake, but most locals prefer to ride clockwise through Frisco first, Dillon, and then ride the bike path up Swan Mountain (the east side is not as steep as the west side) before returning to Breckenridge.

The most important things to know about this route is that the bike path back to Breckenridge is a somewhat uninspiring uphill false flat for 10-miles. You will notice on the profile map that most of the climbing is tackled on the way back to Breckenridge. You will certainly be happy to reach the numerous bars and restaurants along Main Street upon your return.

The second thing to be aware of is following the bike path around Lake Dillon takes some attention to route finding, there are a few tricky path connections; keep in mind you will be going clockwise around Lake Dillon, which is due north of Breckenridge. Study the route ahead of time and ask for directions if needed.

Your ride:

• Starts in: Breckenridge, CO, US
• Distance: 40.7 mi
• Elevation: + 2003 / - 2004 ft
• Max Grade 7.0 %
• Distance: 30.8 mi
• Elevation: + 3163 / - 3162ft
• Finish: Breckenridge (out and back)
• Difficulty: Intermediate ride for cyclists who enjoy bike paths and great scenery.

Please read the additional riding in Summit County cycling tips offered on this page.

LOCATION:

Summit County, Colorado. Nearby towns include: Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Montezuma, Frisco, Copper Mountain, and Georgetown. You may ride the loop around Lake Dillon by starting in Frisco, Dillon, Keystone, or Copper Mountain.

START/FINISH AND PARKING

This route begins and ends at a point in Breckenridge. You may begin this ride from any point in Breckenridge (or from any of the surrounding towns).

ADDITIONAL MILES

You may add miles by riding to Keystone (east) or Vail (west), or riding to Ute Pass (north). Hoosier Pass is located south of Breckenridge. Although the pass is very close to the town of Breckenridge, there is no shoulder, on the north side) for cyclists for much of the way to the summit (take caution if you ride to Hoosier Pass). Climbing the south side of Hoosier Pass from Alma is much better.

FREE COUNTY WIDE TRANSPORTATION

Remember there is free bus transportation via Summit Stage from all towns in Summit County. Find a bus stop and ride home with your bike on the front of the bus, if needed. This won't save you time, but it will save you in case of a mechanical or good ol' exhaustion.

BIKE RENTALS IN BRECKENRIDGE

You have three choices for bike shop rentals in town. I would recommend calling ahead to ask about bike model, hours and price. Also reserve your bike early and ask about cancellations. Two of these bike shops offer shuttles to the top of Vail Pass for an easy and fun descent down to Frisco. The bike path from Frisco to Breckenridge is a climb. Also be sure to plan your bike rental for the morning; afternoon rain showers are common in Breckenridge.

1. Alpine Sports - 610 S. Ridge St. Breckenridge CO 80424, 970-453-8100 * bike rentals * Specialized Road Bikes * shuttle services to Vail Pass. Location near route.

2. Elevation Ski and Bike - 324 N. Main St. Breckenridge CO 80424, 877-762-4999 * bike rentals * family friendly bikes. Location near route.

3. Mountain Wave Ski & Snowboard - 600 S. Park Ave. Breckenridge CO 80424, 970-368-9439 * bike rentals * Trek Road Bikes * shuttle services to Vail Pass. Location near route.

More bike shops in Breckenridge are listed on the Pedal Dancer Ride with GPS Profile Page.

WATER ON ROUTE

Start with two full bottles and you should be fine until you reach Frisco Marina for water (near the public restroom building), and then again at Dillon Marina for more water, when you enter River Run Village in Keystone there is more (free) water available near the public restrooms. Fill up here and you should be fine climbing over Swan Mountain, all the way to the outskirts of Breckenridge.

RESTROOMS ON ROUTE

Restrooms are marked on the route map, your best bet is at the Frisco Marina (restrooms near the parking lots) and again at the Dillon Marina where you start and finish at Dillon Marina, or at the top of Swan Mountain.

CAUTIONS ON ROUTE

Come prepared for changing weather. Plan your ride between 8:00am-2:00pm. Afternoon rain showers are common; seek shelter from lightening. All bike paths are two-way, watch for children on route.

POINTS OF INTEREST (POI) ON ROUTE

• Frisco Marina has rental boats and scenic activity.
• Frisco has a small museum, historic park and frequent festive outdoor town events.
• Look for moose as you ride around the lake.
• Lake Dillon Marina: On the north shore of Lake Dillon, the marina features a fully stocked store, some boat rentals and sailing lessons. Watch the weekend regattas.
• Lake Dillon Free Concerts: Sunset at the Summit, a free Saturday evening series of live concerts takes place at the outdoor Dillon Amphitheater from July 4 to September 5, 2015.
• Swan Mountain is a short cut between Frisco/Breckenridge and Keystone. It is a nice climb for cyclists and a new bike path was recently built on the east side.
• Breckenridge has an active Main St filled with shops; it is a great place to stroll.
• Breckenridge is also known for its year round special events.
• Breckenridge has a kids (small and big) Summer Fun Park on Peak 8, located up Ski Hill Rd. Ride the super slide, zip line or go for a guided hike.
• The Colorado Trail is nearby offering great mountain biking in Breckenridge. See the great website of rides at the MTBProject.
• The nearby dirt road up Boreas Pass is a nice drive and spectacular in fall when the aspen leaves change color.
• You can hike a fourteener while in the area - 14,265 foot Quandary Peak is only 6-miles southwest of town.

AREA HISTORY

Breckenridge has more character and breathtaking beauty than any other town in Summit County, mostly due to it's charming Main St architecture (the largest historical district in Colorado) and the surrounding snow-capped mountain peaks (which are numbered 6 - 10). Gold was discovered along the Blue River in 1859, the entire river basin has been reformed from massive mining. The Gold Pan Saloon was built in 1859 and is still in operation today at 103 N. Main Street.

The town of Dillon was formed when the gold mining boom hit the region and local residents gathered near the convenience of a cluster of small lakes fed by the Blue River. In 1961 Lake Dillon Dam was built and the natural lakes merged into one much larger man-made reservoir for the purpose of supplying water to the growing city of Denver. The original town of Dillon was flooded over. The large body of water is still referred to as a lake - Lake Dillon. Today, drought years are particularly noticeable around its banks.

Read more about the history of the towns you will be riding through and roads you will be riding upon here.

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS

Frisco

• Boatyard American Grill: Lunch, dinner and wine; good healthy food. Location Open daily 11:00am-10:00pm. 304 Main St, Frisco, CO 80443
• Greco's Pastaria: Pizza, salad, and pasta. Location 311 E. Main Street, Frisco, CO 80443
• Whole Foods: Grocery store; has bicycle parking and makes a good place to stop. Location 261 Lusher Ct, Frisco, CO 80443
• Butterhorn Bakery: Good breakfast and lunch, plus pastries and breakfast burritos to go. Open 7:30am-2:30pm (no dinner). Location 408 Main Street, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Prost Fine Beers and Sausages: Beer, sausages, soups and sandwiches. Open daily 11:30am-10:00pm. Happy Hour daily 4-6pm. Location 313 Main St, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Island Grill and Bar: Food and drink on patio restaurant in Marina. Nice patio. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Open daily 11:30am-7:00pm. Happy Hour daily 4-7pm. Free Live music on Friday nights during Happy Hour. Location 900 E Main St, Frisco CO 80443.
• Food Hedz: Very nice lunches and dinners, changing menu of fresh food. Best for sit down meals with wine. Location 842 Summit Blvd, Frisco, CO 80443. closed Sundays and Mondays, open Tue-Sat: 11:am-3pm and 5-8pm.

Dillon (near the Dillon Marina)

• Arapahoe Cafe: Food and drink on the patio. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily at 7am (except closed between 2-5pm). Location 626 Lake Dillon Ave., Dillon, CO 80435.
• Tiki Bar: Locals favorite for drinks and basic food. Open M-F 2:00pm, Sat & Sun open at 11:30am, Happy Hour daily 3-6pm. Location 150 Marina Dr., Dillon, CO 80435.

Summit Cove / Soda Creek

• The Pour House: Coffee, bagels, panini, sandwiches, breakfast burritos. Location 40 Cove Blvd, Dillon, CO 80435 (Summit Cove). Open daily 6:30am-7:00pm.
• There is a grouping of restaurants in Summit Cove neighborhood just before you climb up the east side of Swan Mountain.

Breckenridge (listed north to south)

• Convenience Store located near Frisco High School (to the left after you descend Swan Mountain), Location.
• Broken Compass Brewing Beer (just off the bike path back to Breckenridge) Location 68 Continental Ct, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Soupz On, Soup, breads, salads and sandwiches. Mon - Sat 11:00am-6:00pm. Location 400 North Park Avenue, Unit b-2, Breckenridge, CO.
• Local Market, Groceries and Liquor. Location 116 North Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Giampietro Pasta & Pizza, Good pasta and pizza in this very small restaurant, also has take-out. Open daily 11:30am- 9:30pm. Location 100 N. Main St. # 212, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Columbine Cafe, Good hearty healthy breakfasts. Location 109 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424
• Downstairs at Eric's, Good for big parties, families and kids, quite dark downstairs but popular. Location 111 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Starbucks, As usual coffee, pastries and sandwiches. Location 225 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Crepes a la Cart, Crepes to go, outside seating only. Located in a small trailer, very popular for quick snacks all day long. Location 307 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Empire Burger, Burgers! Open daily 11:00am - 1:00pm. Location La Cima Mall, 500 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Blue Moose Cafe, Standard breakfast and lunch. Open daily 7:00am - 1:00pm. Location 540 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
• Breckenridge Brewery, Beer and basic brewery food. Open daily 11:00am-11:00pm. Location 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CYCLING IN COLORADO

More cautions, cycling tips, tourist information and a list of bike shops (including bike rental locations) may be found on the Pedal Dancer Ambassador Profile page.

ROUTE CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Rakestraw, Laurie Decoteau, and Sue Stokes.