Biking Denver’s Cherry Creek Bike Trail with Wheels Fun Rentals

There are a few things that Rosemary and I wanted to do while in Denver. One of those being biking the Cherry Creek bike trail and exploring the protected bike lane while enjoying the scenery of Denver.

As I hadn’t been to Washington Park since my then boyfriend broke up with me on my graduation day from the University of Denver, it was a pleasure to rewrite those memories.

Renting From Wheels Fun Rentals

Finding parking at Washington Park proved surprisingly easy, which felt like a promising start to the day. When Rosemary and I met up and made our way to the Wheels Fun Rentals shop, we were immediately greeted by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff member.

The process of getting fitted for the appropriate bike was refreshingly straightforward and efficient. However, it took several test rides and adjustments before I could fully adapt to the reality that this REI rental bike was a far cry from my high-end Specialized bike waiting at home. Despite the differences in performance and responsiveness, there was something genuinely enjoyable about familiarizing myself with my bike for the day. The vibe was different. But, it worked.

There was also an unexpected sense of relief in simply being able to hop on and pedal without the need to clip into specialized pedals, allowing for a more relaxed and carefree riding experience.

Once we had our seats properly adjusted to our heights, secured our helmets, carefully studied the trail maps, and sorted through our gear, we finally set off on our way, ready to explore whatever the day had in store for us.

Getting on the Bike Path

Rosemary and I studied, then restudied, and then just said to hell with it all about our bike path expectations. After an introductory lap around Washington Park, Rosemary and I took Downing Street to the Cherry Creek Path.

Biking to Mile High Stadium on the Platte River Trail

After getting to the bike trail, I took extreme delight in our ride to Confluence Park, across from the flagship Denver REI store.

We took the Platte River Trail a bit further and I took beautiful photos of the flowers in front of Mile High Stadium. It was truly a beautiful morning. That is, until the heat headed well into the late 90s, early 100 degrees.

Even with my bottles of water, it was a struggle to get back to Washington Park. I was so happy that Rosemary took the time to access the weather and suggest that we start our biking adventure earlier in the day to be more comfortable during our ride.

Overall

Rosemary said her favorite part of the ride was hands down the murals along the Cherry Creek Trail. They were colorful, unexpected, and full of life. She also loved the loop around Washington Park. It was peaceful, beautifully maintained, and felt like one of those perfect spots that locals probably take for granted.

The most challenging part for her? Figuring out how to actually get from Wheel Fun to Cherry Creek. It ended up being easier than expected once we got moving. However, the map they gave us was slightly too vague for her liking. Rosemary called the “self-guided tour” a bit of a bust – and I had to agree. It would have been better served as an audio program.

That said, we both loved the protected bike path along Marion Street and then along Downing Street. It was smooth, clearly marked, and made us both long for something even half as functional back in Los Angeles.

Overall, we both were really happy with Wheel Fun’s service and gear. Everything worked like it was supposed to. Plus, the price?  Super reasonable for a half-day adventure.

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