This Memorial Day weekend, the Town of Erie and locals, including Jeff Lamar and his family, are welcoming visitors and bringing a new way to celebrate their historic town with the Colorado Railbike Adventure, the state’s newest and most unique experience for a date night or a change of pace for a night out. Family getaway. Hop on a railbike (a combination bicycle and train) and experience “history, recreation, beautiful scenery and the thrill of pedaling along the second-oldest railroad track in the state” while celebrating 15 years of one of Colorado’s most fun towns. Colorado Railbike Adventure.
Erie’s history dates back 150 years to the 1860s, when settlers discovered coal along Coal Creek. Shortly after coal mining emerged as a major industry driving the town’s growth, the discovery of settlers opened up the western end of the Northern Colorado coalfields and led to the construction of a brand new railroad.
Photo by Jeff Lamar.
Lamar and his family have always been fascinated by the workings of trains and locomotives. Who doesn’t love the childish experience of watching a toy train run down a homemade track and giving the conductor a “shoo-shoo” signal? During the coronavirus pandemic, Lamar’s love for trains grew as she imagined building a wheelbarrow to teach her children about levers and show them how levers work and power transportation on Erie’s railroad tracks. has deepened.
Families dug into the history of these abandoned railroad tracks and discovered stories to tell. Erie’s Denver Boulder Valley Railroad tracks are his second oldest in the state. Looking for a fun way to share this history, Lemar did some research and found that more than 20 operators offer railbike tours along historic railroads to attract tourists. Ta. Lamar discovered a “car” that tells the history of the Erie, Denver and Boulder Valley Railroad.
Photo by Jeff Lamar.
The family is excited to be able to begin operating Colorado’s first rail bike in three years. On May 24, just in time for summer, Coloradans and visitors will have the opportunity to cycle through the 150-year history of the Erie Mine Train. The main route, the Boulder Valley Mine Route, is a 2-hour, 4.2-mile journey through unforgettable views of the Front Range, Mt. Solodin, Long’s Peak, and more. Guests begin their adventure at the train station, wind through Coal Creek, and end their journey in Old Town Erie. After exercising and having fun, relax in a shaded station, grab a snack, and enjoy playing in the garden with friends and family.
Opening this fall, Long’s Peak Route offers adventure seekers and history buffs an 8-mile round trip. Colorado Railbike Adventures’ longest course takes you through the breathtaking Wise Homestead open space and into the Lower Boulder Ditch, dug for irrigation. It’s a long journey, but once you arrive at the Stagecoach stop turnaround, you’ll have a chance to stretch before pedaling.
If you want to step into history, reserve your Colorado Railbike today. Each rail bike seats his 4 people and all departure fees are $160 per rail bike ($40 per person). Add some thrills and learn something new this summer with a Colorado Railbike Adventure!
