Juniper Pass to Idaho Springs
Summary
It's not long before the work pays off! Once you've crested Juniper Pass, you'll ride into Echo Lake and the entrance to Mount Evans. After a brief flat section passing the lake, you'll begin the second most technical descent on the course. It's a fast descent with several hazards, notably three hairpin curves that must be taken cautiously.
Preview
Commentary
About those hazards:
Active wildlife in the area may encroach upon the road.
The area is prone to wind gusts which may catch you off guard in high-speed turns.
This road is open to traffic going in the opposite direction, demanding respect for the centerline.
Be prepared for decreasing radius turns.
On that last point, Team Evergreen Cycling will station road marshals to signal dangerous sections, which the following highlights and street views should help illustrate.
Of course, be careful, but have fun, too! Just be mindful of your speed and cornering, and you’ll have a blast!
Sadly, the thrill doesn’t last too long. As you get closer to Idaho Springs, the road levels out somewhat, and you’ll have to work a little for the last four miles.
When you reach the bottom, you'll be greeted by cheering spectators and more road marshals. They'll direct you left off the main road and into a parking lot. You'll need to hop a curb to get onto a bike trail that'll take you west of Idaho Springs.