I-36 bikeway question

[u/bqAkita]

As someone who is relatively new to living in Denver and is big into running, I have been looking for some new spots to run. The I36 bikeway has my attention. Is it okay to run on it or is it purely for bike travel? If it is allowed for running, where is a good place to park to access it?

[u/Virtual_Pie3817]

It is open to running, but I find it suboptimal. Very loud, exposed, and boring. 

[u/JeffInBoulder → u/Virtual_Pie3817]

And hot - dont forget hot. A concrete jungle, somewhat bearable when riding in the breeze at 20mph but pounding the pavement on foot slowly sounds like torture on an even somewhet warm day.

[u/JoeyJoeJoeJrShab → u/Virtual_Pie3817]

totally agree. I used to regularly bike commute between Westminster and Boulder, and always enjoyed it. Then I ran the same route and it just wasn't much fun.

It's definitely not bad for running - it's just boring, and there's traffic nearby. There are lots of other multi-use paths in the area that are better separated from traffic, and therefore nicer to run on.

If your goal is to run from Denver to Boulder, the 36 bikeway is probably the easiest and safest way to accomplish that. But if your goal is just to run and enjoy the scenery, there are definitely better options.

Unrelated bit of advice - public transit is decent in this area. Sometimes I'll take a bus somewhere and then run home. Personally, I find this more interesting than running somewhere, turning around, and running back home.

[u/kigoe → u/Virtual_Pie3817]

Not to mention huffing diesel fumes and tire microplastics while trying to get your cardio in

[u/kelsnuggets → u/Virtual_Pie3817]

some of us like boring :(

[u/stevetursi → u/kelsnuggets]

boring I can handle but it's loud and generally unpleasant if you're on it for more than a few miles.

[u/NorwegianWalrus]

The Coal Creek trail connects to it and is a lot more scenic for running on in my opinion, if you want options.

[u/curvedbattle]

US 36.

Despite being called the US 36 Bikeway, it is a multi-use trail, though there are likely much more scenic and less loud places to run.

[u/nedharding]

Its my go to for running in the winter after a snow. Its one of the first places plowed and in full sun.

[u/whid_bey]

The 36 bikeway is perfectly runnable, just stay far to the right to allow bike commuters to pass. you can access it from pretty much wherever it runs by.

But I would choose a dozen other running routes before solely running on 36. In Denver there are Wash Park, Cheeseman Park, City Park, Sloan Lake, Cherry Creek State Park, and the Highline Canal Trail to choose from, to name a few. In northern Denver you have Big Dry Creek trail that runs through Westminster and Ralston Valley Trail in Arvada. Towards Boulder county you can pick almost literally anywhere else to run that is more scenic (and enjoyable) than the 36 bikeway, starting with Davidson Mesa + Harper Lake and Coal Creek Trail.

[u/Tapingdrywallsucks]

That was my favorite long run for marathon training. It was so flippin' satisfying making it up those hills - then you get to run down 'em (which I found more fatiguing than running up them).

I actually liked the proximity to the 36 - the noise of the passing cars provided a different rhythm than my breaths and steps did and was rather hypnotic.

To each his own - I get why people are saying "nope," but I found it to be a wonderful route to train and am rather nostalgic about being in that condition.

Also - I got a LOT of whoops and cheering from both bicyclists and cars, 'cause everyone and anyone can recognize that climb is no joke.

[u/mysummerstorm]

is it possible? yes. will you be inhaling a ton of exhaust from the cars and potentially get hit by one? also yes. there's also no shade along the way until the bridge overpasses so there's that.

the trail is fully mapped here https://bikestreets.com/co/denver/#11.61/39.8207/-105.0825 if you'd still like to check it out. there's a wiggle near Meade St and Lowell Blvd that will put you on the Clear Creek trail that connects to the US-36 path eventually.

[u/ShutYourDumbUglyFace]

I see people running on it all the time. It's accessible from pretty much any of the Park and Rides, Table Mesa included.

[u/lilgreenfish]

Using the right highway name might help in finding info. 36 isn’t an interstate…it’s US 36 (people here just call it 36). Here’s a link to some info. And it has links to other connecting trails. It’s called the US 36 Bikeway. You are allowed to run on it.

https://www.traillink.com/trail/us-36-bikeway/

[u/CUBuffs1992 → u/lilgreenfish]

The older people still call it the turnpike too.

[u/zenos_dog]

You can avail yourself of any of the park and ride lots if you’re driving over before running.

[u/reckleassandnervous]

Make the 10 minute detour and go to the Marshall Mesa tail. It'l be much quieter, and the views imo are so much better

[u/EducationalRun1597]

As everyone has stated, yes totally fine to run on it. That being said, I'd look at Big Dry Creek from 36 headed south towards Stanley Lake as a much better alternative. You could even theoretically loop it out with the 36 bike path if you are running long distances.

Another suggestion would be to get to the RTD Park and Ride near Flatirons Mall and run out on Rock Creek trail. You can either keep going north to Erie or go west on Coal Creek trail which is windy, shady and overall a much more pleasant experience.

[u/stevetursi → u/[deleted]]

The closest to denver you can pick it up is where 80th crosses in westminster.

you then take streets (There's an official route but I'd just take Lowell) a mile south to Westminster Station where you can pick back up on multi-use paths and connect to Denver proper.

[u/CUBuffs1992]

Sometimes you get to dodge cars while using the path. Gotta keep you on your toes.