We have traveled hoping to get some good cycling in only to find out the place you booked is no where near a good place ride, they don’t allow bikes in the room, or nowhere to go after a ride to refuel with a pint or snack.
Have you ever had dreams of a place that was designed for you, and your bike, and your ride? It is here…The Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort. And resort it the right word…this is not some RV camp ground with a bike. Be prepared for you and your bike to be spoiled.
In 1919, The Buffalo Lodge opened its doors as a hunting lodge, complete with a restaurant and its own taxidermy, which was called “Colorado’s Most Modern Cottage City”.
Throughout the mid 20th Century it operated as
a motor court motel, one of many that catered to the tourist industry of Manitou Springs. It was close proximity to visitor attractions including Garden of the Gods, The Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and the Manitou Incline, (when it was actually a double cable car before becoming the toughest 1 mile hike in the world).
Through that time it maintained is western themed decor and the period style restaurant on site.
Ok, there were no voices, no corn fields, but in 
2015 Torie Giffin, a local entrepreneur and cycling enthusiast, had the vision of what the Buffalo Lodge could become. There have been hundreds of conversations with friends and community and cycling advocates over more than a few cups of coffee and Colorado’s famous brews. There are some wonderful hotels in Colorado Springs, but at that time, none that caters specifically to the outdoor adventurer and especially the bicyclist.
Colorado Springs had always had its athletic history. In the mid-20th Century, the original Broadmoor World Arena was home to many of the worlds best skaters, like Peggy Fleming, saw the tryouts for the 1980 Olympic Hocky Team and the home of the United States Olympic Training Center. As the city had focused efforts on becoming one of the top bicycle-friendly destination cities in the U.S. and Colorado’s ranking grew as a top 10 state for cycling, it seemed the perfect storm and timing for proving the concept of a bicycle resort.
In 2016 Torie, became the owner of the historic Buffalo Lodge property and transformed it into the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort. Since then the property renovations have been extensive. But they now boast, and rightfully so, of having raised the bar of having a bicycle-themed haven of friendly rooms, amenities, and a host of activities geared for cyclists.
Realtors love to say the most important thing is location. The Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is located on the westside of the Colorado Springs area. Guests are able to leave their room and in minutes they can pedal to The Garden of the Gods. They will find a network of single track as well as Gravel. For those more aggressive or seasoned riders, you can take Rampart Range Road and after a pretty challenging climb, you are in the front range mountains with endless 2 wheel adventures.
If you go west, you will be very close to the base of Pikes Peak, that is honeycombed with various levels of scenic trails that will challenge any level of cyclists. Red Rock Canyon open space is also a great option that is about a mile away. A few miles south, North Cheyenne offers trails and gravel that can take you the back way Cripple Creek via Old Stage Road.
Having grown up in Colorado Springs, and remembering what that motel looked like 50+ years ago, I was looking forward to my first visit. That was evident to me the moment I drove into the property to park my car for my first visit. I felt like Shoeless Joe Jackson walking out of the corn into a baseball field in Iowa. I was in awe.
In the main entrance, across from the main lodge, is Westside Bicycle Service. Graham, who had opened originally in his garage at home, was welcomed to move his business on site. With over 20 years of experience, Graham brings his maintenance-first approach to bike mechanics as an added convenience for guests.
After chatting with Graham, it was time to visit the main lodge. Is is more than just where you check in and get your key. It is also a place to park your bottom relax around community, and enjoy post-ride snack, local beer, or a coffee drink. Like every structure on the site, is is all about the bike. The decor is bike focused and themed. There are rental bikes out front and bikes on buildings, bike art inside.
I met the team that makes this place go, and they are a team. They love what they do, and it shows. They truly emote an enthusiastic vibe for where they work which makes you feel at home.
Marketing Manager, Shelby Clarke, took time out
to give me a tour of all of the facilities and amenities. She is a joy to meet and has an enthusiasm for cycling and where she works that is contagious.
Walking up to the rooms/cabins, you will notice, as I did, there is almost always a vintage bike at or above the entryway. When you open the door, you will realize, as I did, it is a cozy place for you and your ride. Most places I have stayed on a cycling trip, I had to make accommodations to bring by bike. Maybe setting a blanket under it, or locked in a cage. Not here. You will find a cozy and classy room with bike racks on the wall near your bed. Each room has the same decor and cycling theme that is throughout the property.
If you would like to have a different experience, there is a dedicated “Glamping” area with its private back yard feel. Having not ever glamped, I was amazed to see how these facilities were nicer than some of the Air BnB’s I have stayed at before races or rides.
The rooms or glamping tents are there for you
clean up and relax after your ride, but what about your bicycle? No worries. They thought of that too. There are cleaning stations complete with built in bike stands to make it quick and easy to clean the remains of your last ride off of you bike.
There are also non-bicycle amenities available to enjoy out of the saddle. A sand volleyball court is there, adjacent to a picnic/bar-b-que area. After that you can stroll over to the swimming pool to cool off and relax.
This place is truly a dream come true. You might be asking yourself as Shoeless Joe asked: “Is this Heaven?” No, it’s the Buffalo Lodge and Bike Resort.
by: Gary Robinson , staging.avidcyclist.com
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