Loveland is built for exactly the bikes we rent. The Recreation Trail circles the whole city on pavement, following the Big Thompson River, sliding along the west shore of Boyd Lake, and linking parks, downtown, and neighborhoods with underpasses instead of stoplights. The whole loop climbs about 250 feet, spread over 21 miles.
Off the loop, the Big Thompson River Trail runs 6.3 paved miles along the water, the Boyd Lake shoreline adds 5.7 more inside the state park, and the Front Range Trail connector hands you north toward Fort Collins. Point west on US-34 and the canyon begins.
Downtown, then the trail
Fourth Street's coffee and lunch are a short walk from the shop, and the trail is a few blocks further. Sculpture is the local habit: the city has been collecting it in its parks for decades, and the loop passes more of it than you will count.
Where an e-bike may ride in Loveland
The City of Loveland expressly allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on all of its paved trails, and Boyd Lake State Park allows them on its paved City Trail. Larimer County, which manages the foothill open spaces west of town, allows Class 1 and 2 on paved trails only and prohibits e-bikes on natural-surface trails, Devil's Backbone included. Every bike we rent is Class 1 or 2, and every route we suggest stays on pavement.
Every rule above is quoted, dated, and linked on the e-bike rules page; access rules change, and we re-check them each season.
Rides we would point you at
The Loveland Loop tour
21 guided miles around the whole city with a stop at Boyd Lake. $89 with the e-bike.
Big Thompson River Trail
6.3 paved miles along the river, the quiet half of the loop on its own.
Big Thompson Canyon tour
The flagship climb to Estes Park on a touring e-bike, $159.
In pictures
Stock photography until we have our own; every photo is credited on the credits page.