Motorcycle Rider News Road Trips

A biker favorite, Colorado's Peak to Peak Highway winds its way approximately 60 miles between the Central City/Black Hawk Historical District and Estes Park providing titillating distant views of the Continental Divide to the west and the prairies to the east.

To access the route from Denver, take Colorado 119 from its junction with Colorado 6 just west of Golden, Colorado. Colorado 119 snakes through scenic Clear Creek Canyon passing through several tunnels along the way. Keep your eyes on the turbulent waters of Clear Creek rushing alongside and you will see fisherman, rapids rafters and the occasional gold panner. If you look up, you may see longhorn sheep perched on the steep rocky slopes of the canyon walls that tower above both sides of the road.

Approximately 6.5 miles later, you will enter the Central City/Black Hawk Historical District, the first township along the Peak to Peak.

HISTORY (from Colorado.com) Black Hawk and Central City enjoyed their hey days in the last half of the 19th century as mining boom towns when discovery of gold there began a frantic rush of fortune hunters. The stretch of land between Central City and Black Hawk was once touted as "the richest square mile on earth." Buildings were constructed to accommodate the booming population, including Central City's first and premier hotel, The Teller House said to be the finest hotel this side of the Mississippi. While the gold rush was short lived, another opportunity for chance riches now beckons visitors -- casino gambling. Each day hundreds of fortune seekers make their way "up the hill" to try their luck. But gambling is not the only thing to do in these historic towns.

KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM: Legalized gaming changed the face of Central City and several other nearly extinct gaming towns. Central City jumped into action and soon became a favorite stop for Denver metro gamers. It was really perfect -- as it maintained its intimate mountain charm and the historic buildings. Then the lagging Blackhawk allowed corporate casinos to come in, and the formerly overlooked town became the first stop and often the last stop for modern-day gamblers, a Colorado mini-version of Las Vegas.

RIDE AND STAY: Although there's a time and a place for the glitz of Vegas, even in Denver, I prefer the intimacy of the small town welcome that I re-discovered in Central City at Fortunate Valley, one of only a handful of accommodations -- others include Century Casino and local B&Bs.

Fortune Valley Casino and Hotel is Central City's only 3-Diamond Hotel and Casino - and it's biker-friendly. Joe Behm, Director of Marketing for Fortune Valley and President of the Central City Business Improvement District, is also a rider. (Next month, Joe will offer tips to bikers heading to Central City.) Free valet parking and free wireless internet is included with all rooms. If you decide to scoot up there with your bike, there is also free public parking less than a block away.

WHAT'S TO LIKE ABOUT CENTRAL CITY, No garish corporate structures in this mountain town. The casinos blend in with the historic features of the town, and surprisingly appear to belong to the mining era, rather than newer builds. The historic downtown is picture-perfect, although unfortunately some buildings remain empty.

PARK THE BIKES, and take a walking tour through the Downtown District and marvel at the architectural detail of the historical buildings and Victorian homes.

Stop in at the Gilpin County Historical Society to soak up history of the gold rush and to learn about the various men and women who shaped the future of Colorado, including Henry Teller, the first Senator for Colorado, and William Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News. Take in a play at the historic Central City Opera House, whose stage once hosted the likes of Buffalo Bill and PT Barnum's Circus. If you are feeling adventurous, take some time to explore a number of old cemeteries that dot the hillsides of the area.

Enjoy some of the local dining. A favorite restaurant of many is Shamrock Cafe in the Fitzgerald's Casino. Feeling hungry? Fill your bellies to the brim at the Central City and Black Hawk buffets, including Fortune Valleys.
For more information: check out the Central City and Black Hawk city websites:(http://www.centralcitycolorado.us/ and http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/

MORE ABOUT CENTRAL CITY: Less than 30 miles from downtown Denver, Central City offers one of the best nearby options for fall travel, whether the goal is a half-day break from the city or an indulgent weekend getaway. If you're short on time, or looking for another road, the Central City Parkway is a drive that will take you to another time. As you travel the wide open Central City Parkway from I-70 to this historic mining town, you're transported back to the Old West, where you can walk the historic streets of Central City, take in a museum, some music or have dinner, or even partake in more exciting pursuits of 24/7 Black Jack, poker or slots -- and now craps. Just 30 minutes from Denver, but centuries back in time, Central City is a fitting end to eight miles of scenic views along the Central City Parkway. For more information, visit http://www.centralcityparkway.com/.