There’s something about seeing Loveland by bike that changes the pace of the day. You notice the public art tucked along the trail. You catch the shimmer of Boyd Lake from a new angle. You roll past parks, ponds, sculpture gardens, downtown patios and stretches of the Big Thompson River that are easy to miss from the car.
During Walk and Bike Month every June, the Sweetheart City gives you even more reasons to slow down, clip in and explore. Loveland celebrates with events that encourage residents and visitors to experience the community on foot and by bike. Supported by multiple city departments, local businesses and community organizations, the month includes walking tours, bike-focused events, trail celebrations and opportunities to learn more about accessible walking and biking in Loveland.
For visitors, it’s an easy way to stay in Loveland, rent a bike, ride like a local and turn a summer day into something you’ll remember.
Start with The Extra Mile
Before your ride begins, make your first stop at The Extra Mile Outdoor Gear and Bike Shop in downtown Loveland. Founded by Loveland local Dan Wiesner, The Extra Mile is an owner-managed hub for bike rentals, outdoor gear, local route recommendations and practical advice for anyone who wants to get outside without hauling equipment from home.
“I wanted to bring together my love of outdoor gear on a budget and my enjoyment of being involved in the Loveland community by starting a gear and bike retail space,” Dan said in a past guest blog.
The shop rents e-bikes, e-mountain bikes, regular pedal bikes, paddleboards and seasonal winter gear. For a full day around town, Dan recommends Gazelle e-bikes for riders who want assistance on a bigger 20- to 40-mile ride, while the hybrid bikes offer a comfortable, upright option for a solid day of pedaling. The shop also helps riders get set up with helmets, bike path maps, locks and e-bike guidance for anyone trying one for the first time.
Cruise the Loveland Recreation Trail
Once you’re geared up, head out on the Loveland Recreation Trail, a paved loop that gives riders a scenic introduction to the city’s parks, water, wildlife and neighborhoods. The Loveland bike path loop stretches 31 miles around town, winding along the Big Thompson River, passing near Boyd Lake and offering offshoots toward Mariana Butte and the Equalizer Lake area.
Along the way, you can pause near parks, ponds and natural areas or make your way toward Boyd Lake State Park for lake views, beach access and side trails. For a longer ride, the Long View Trail connects Loveland north toward Fort Collins.
A newer section of the bike trail leads to the Interstate 25 underpass just east of Rocky Mountain Avenue, off the east side of Equalizer Lake. From there, riders can safely pedal under the interstate to access The Promenade Shops at Centerra and Chapungu Sculpture Park.
Add art to the ride
Loveland is known for sculpture, and biking is one of the most playful ways to explore that creative side. Make Chapungu Sculpture Park one of your ride stops, especially if you’re already heading east toward Centerra. The park features stone sculptures surrounded by trails, open space and quiet places to pause.
You can also bike toward Benson Sculpture Garden, one of Loveland’s most iconic outdoor art destinations. With sculpture tucked throughout the park, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to lock up the bike and wander for a while.
Newer trails from the St. Louis Natural Area toward Willow Bend Park and Universal Access Playground also offer paved and gravel paths for riders looking to experience more of Loveland outdoors.
Plan your ride around Everybody Bike Day
Walk and Bike Month builds toward one of the city’s most anticipated events: Everybody Bike Day.
Held each year on the fourth Wednesday in June, Everybody Bike Day is a citywide celebration that encourages people of all ages and abilities to join family, friends and neighbors for a bicycle ride around town. This year, Everybody Bike Day takes place on Wednesday, June 24, with a full day of celebrating biking, whether you are commuting, cruising with friends or riding with no destination at all. According to AnnaRose Cunningham, Loveland’s senior transportation planner, “The goal of all of the events we host during Walk and Bike Month is to encourage people to walk and bike for both transportation and recreation.”
The morning celebration runs from 6:30 to 10 a.m., with stations throughout Loveland hosted by local businesses, community partners and city departments. These energized pit stops offer giveaways, route maps, encouragement and plenty of reasons to keep pedaling. Cunningham shared that typically stops see upwards of 50 people each, with many people visiting multiple stops. If you’re a local and you’ve never participated in Everybody Bike Day, this year is the perfect opportunity to check it out.
Local businesses and organizations can also get involved by hosting an Everybody Bike Day appreciation station, offering breakfast, coffee, snacks, water or fun swag for riders. The City of Loveland will work with hosts to select locations that are convenient for them and safe for participants. Riders will also have the chance to practice loading a bike onto a city bus, which is a helpful way to get more comfortable combining biking with public transportation.
End the day with a bike bash
After a full day of riding, keep the celebration going at the Everybody Bike Day Bash. Pulse and Grimm Brothers are hosting the free community celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at Grimm Brothers Taproom. Bring lawn chairs, invite your friends and settle in for live music from Graham Good & The Painters, food and drink specials, giveaways and plenty of bikes.
It’s the perfect finish to a day built around movement, community and summer fun. Stop by on your way home from a ride, meet up with your crew or hang out for the whole evening.
Make it a Loveland getaway
Walk and Bike Month isn’t just for locals. It’s a great reason to plan a summer stay in Loveland. Spend the night, wake up close to the trails and make the day your own. Start with a bike rental downtown, cruise the trails, stop for coffee, explore sculpture parks, ride by the lake and end with a local beer, live music or dinner downtown. Whether you ride for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day, Walk and Bike Month is a reminder that some of Loveland’s best moments happen between destinations.