Tom Franken - Bicycling - North Sheridan

Short review: A mix of riding experiences sometimes involving trail riding, close proximity to cars, and blind corners. Only parts are suitable for inexperienced riders.

Detailed review:

Sheridan from north of 36 to Broomfield is a mixture of riding experiences. Starting in Broomfield at 136th heading south, the road is an old residential/country road. A small sidewalk runs along the west side but is too overgrown, small, and crowded to be usable by a bike. For several blocks, the speed limit is 25 but cars line the street pushing bikes into traffic. When the speed limit jumps to 35, the on street parking goes away so you have more space on the side of the road.

At 9th Ave (the equivalent of 129th), the road expands into four lanes and the shoulder disappears. However, the sidewalk runs along the back of the housing lots then in front of a field and church. A few walkers use it but it is straight so visibility is good. At 3rd, the sidewalk becomes 10 feet across and does the meandering thing. Visibility is reduced but you're going uphill so speed is checked. Then you have to negotiate the King Soopers parking system - I use the sidewalks and walking lights.

At 120th, you can either mingle with traffic our ride along side to the light and push the "Walk" button. If you do, watch for the right turners as there is very little space between the right turn lane and the light post. Once across, you have the Kohl's parking to get through. Then life starts to suck.

At 118th, the road narrows into the original 30's era Model T trail - no shoulder and a fair amount of traffic jockeying from two lanes to one. Going south is doable since you are going downhill. Going north is a death wish for a bit. A housing development is going up on the east side so hopefully the trail will improve. You get a break for a couple of blocks until 116th then you're back to the trail - literally. A single lane foot path runs along the road on the west side. The east side is torn up. The road is 45mph, crowded and has a "white-line shoulder" at best.

At 112th, the road expands back to four lanes and a 10ft sidewalk runs along the west. The sidewalk is straight and gets little use. A "power-ride" opportunity exists as you go uphill for about a quarter of a mile in a couple of places. At around 98th, you enter into the "Super Stores" shopping area with Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Gart Sports, and a bunch of those type of stores. The sidewalk is still 10 ft and rarely used but the signage eliminates the ability of drivers to see you without putting the front half of the vehicle in the crosswalk. Meanwhile, every impatient shopper is fighting for one more position in line as four lanes come and go with no usable shoulder. My choice: use the sidewalk and expect to stop at each intersection regardless of which light might happen to shine.

Never been further south on it.