Great ride through the Colorado National Monument ($15/Pass). Front and rear lights required for the 3 short tunnels. Warm up with a 13 mile ride to Fruita on the Riverfront Bike path. Next ride about 2 miles on Broadway with some traffic before you exit to the monument entrance. By this point you have started the 16 mile climb to the summit. There was little traffic mid week in September and many turnouts/view points for pictures or a break for newbies and tourists. After your first ride you'll have most of the pictures. The ride down has a view hairpin turns in the beginning and relatively flat for the last 3 miles. Finish up with a 2 mile spin along the Riverfront path then head back to the start, 1.5 miles in bike lane and traffic.