Littleton, on the southern edge of the Denver metro area, has a historic Main Street of brick buildings from the late nineteenth century, when the town grew up around a mill and the railroad on the South Platte River. You could do far worse for the first or last coffee of a ride, with cafés, restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere that feels more like a small town than a suburb of a big city. And, crucially, the mountains are right there, rising abruptly to the west.
The rides that start here head into the Front Range and beyond. The Peak to Peak Highway, Colorado's oldest scenic byway, runs north-south along the eastern edge of the Rockies between Black Hawk and Estes Park, through old mining towns, forests of pine and aspen, and past high peaks like Longs Peak. Trail Ridge Road, through Rocky Mountain National Park, is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, cresting at over 3,700 metres, with vast views over alpine tundra, and elk grazing beside the road. It is typically open only from late May to October, depending on snow.
Closer to Littleton, Deer Creek Canyon and the roads through the foothills to the south-west are popular with local riders, winding through red rock formations and pine forests. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, at Morrison, a concert venue set between towering sandstone monoliths, is worth a detour.
Riding in the Colorado mountains has its own challenges. The altitude affects both rider and machine, with thinner air reducing engine power and making you tire more quickly, so drink plenty of water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, often bringing hail and lightning, so plan to be off the high roads by early afternoon. Wildlife, especially deer and elk, are a hazard at dawn and dusk. Littleton has plenty of fuel and services, but fuel stations become scarcer in the mountains, so fill up before heading out.