Thornton Sunday Road Ride
Beginner-friendly Sunday road ride along the South Platte River trail out of Thornton, finishing with food and beer at Billy Birch's Pub. About 16 miles at 13-17 mph.
The vibe
Sunday spin, then brunch beers
This Thornton Sunday ride is about as welcoming as it gets — all-paved, 16 miles, 11:00 AM start, and brunch beers waiting at the end. The route follows the South Platte River bike trail, heading east then north with flexible mileage depending on what the group feels like. Road bikes, gravel bikes, and hybrids all fit in fine here.
Pace runs 13–17 mph with multiple regrouping points so nobody gets dropped in the parking lot on their first outing. It’s organized by the Colorado Intermediate Road Cycling and Mountain Biking Meetup group, which focuses on riders who want real group rides without the intimidation of a fast club.
Post-ride hangout at Billy Birch’s Pub & Yard makes this a proper social event. Show up, spin the trail, eat something, drink something, and call it a good Sunday.