Josh Beard

Veteran's Day 46 Mile Ride

It’s been a few weeks since I did a “longer” ride - something over 30 miles - and I’ve been itching to do it. I was sick a couple of weeks ago and have had family commitments the past few weeks, along with some bad weather conditions. Since I had Veteran’s Day off, I took advantage of it and the beautiful weather to do a long ride.

This ride was just over 46 miles - my second-longest ride yet, apparently. I started on the singletracks along Cottonwood Creek, then took the New Santa Fe Trail into the Air Force Academy for a couple of miles (still partially closed for utility work). From there, I turned around and continued on to the Pikes Peak Greenway to Sinton Trail and climbed to Mesa Overlook for views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.

A towering tree with a tangle of exposed roots along a singletrack off of the Cottonwood Creek Trail, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.Pikes Peak in the distance from the Cottonwood Creek Trail, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.Quiet Autumn ride on the New Sante Fe Trail on the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.A view of Pikes Peak with a decent bit of snow from the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, Colorado Springs. I get views like this every day and they'll never get old. November 11, 2026.

Unfortunately, I got started late and the ride ate up the entire middle part of the day, changing lunch plans.

A familiar view that's always worth stopping for and admiring. Garden of the Gods from the Mesa Overlook, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.

A familiar view that’s always worth stopping for and admiring. Garden of the Gods from the Mesa Overlook, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.

I continued south through Mesa Valley Trail, rejoined the Greenway, and headed to Bear Creek Regional Park, where I lost my sunglasses and spent a long time looking for them, before making my way home via the Greenway and Cottonwood Creek Trail. A long loop connecting familiar stretches with a few places I don’t reach on an everyday ride, with plenty of stops for photos along the way.

November still holding onto some color. This gorgeous scene was so vivid and rich in color at Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.

November still holding onto some color. This gorgeous scene was so vivid and rich in color at Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.

I lost my sunglasses somewhere in this grass, but it was worth it for the view. Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.An ambitious detour. Along Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, Colorado Springs. November 11, 2026.