Want to spend a weekend in Boulder like a true local? We asked around town to find out how those who consider Boulder “home sweet home” spend a Saturday morning.
(Spoiler alert: The locals like locomoting on two wheels instead of four, and they enjoy their coffee, obviously).
Set your alarm and get out early to play in this outdoorsy city. Here’s what Boulder locals say constitutes an ideal itinerary on a sunny Saturday morning:
“Many Friday nights I get home after the bars close because I’ve been playing drums with Gasoline Lollipops somewhere in Colorado and then made my way back to Boulder with tired eyes. We’ve been playing some great music festivals this summer, though, and I’ve been camping at them when I can. So a perfect Saturday morning is being woken up by the sun in my tent in a classic Colorado mountain town like Jamestown, heading to Boulder with my drums and then doing a big Boulder bike ride to escape the heat. Poor Man’s Pass is my favorite ride, but if I have time I’ll bike up Magnolia to Rollinsville and eat a huge meal at the Stage Stop before bombing back to Boulder. The great music scene and the great cycling are my two favorite parts of Colorado, so seeing the epic Boulder-area landscape by bike while getting to play my favorite venues, like the Fox and Boulder Theater, makes any Saturday perfect.”
-Adam Perry, drummer with Gasoline Lollipops, an alt-country band that combines folk and punk
“Loading up the car with bikes and twins, we hit Ozo’s for smoothies and lots of coffee then park at Valmont Bike Park to ride the pump track and trails. If we escape any injuries, we ride over to the Rayback Collective for a sunny early food truck feast and cornhole.”
-Tia Mattson, publicist and owner of L. E. Media Mix
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“I usually wake up at about 6 a.m. I love this time of day, the sky is so beautiful and it is just so very peaceful. I go out and feed our horses, feed the dogs and then drink my coffee out on the porch overlooking the horses, the trees and just soaking up the peacefulness. My partner Rebekah and I will then take our dogs for a nice walk around our neighborhood. We live out by the Boulder Reservoir, so it’s like living out in the country. We walk out on the trails behind our house and chat about the day we look forward to having. Most Saturdays, I am working with my athletes and following them on their long bike rides from Boulder, out to Lyons and to the Big Thompson, and up to Estes Park and back via the Peak to Peak Highway. Watching my athletes working so hard and also enjoying the beautiful views makes it an awesome day, regardless of it being ‘work.’ If I’m not working, we go for a run on one of the amazing trails in Boulder. Some of my personal favorites are the Mesa Trail, Marshall Mesa, Heil Ranch, Hall Ranch and many others. Then my wife and I reward ourselves with a delicious coffee from our favorite spot: Spruce Confectionary on Pearl Street.”
–Siri Lindley, triathlon coach, former professional triathlete and author of “Surfacing: From the Depths of Self-Doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly“
Mountain Biking at Betasso Trail.
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“For me, a perfect Saturday around Boulder is plenty of morning fuel in the form of coffee and biking. Gotta get in a kickass ride on my REEBcycle (made in Longmont) around the Betasso trail that Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance seriously spruced up, before heading to the Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons for post-ride beers and a burger on the patio.”
-Chad Melis, marketing director at Oskar Blues Brewery
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“Up early with the family (husband, 4-year-old Brody and two dogs), we head to Moe’s on Broadway to pick up on bagels and coffee. Then off to Chautauqua for a breakfast picnic and short hike.”
-Claire Tindall, senior director of marketing and communications at Sphero, a Boulder-based, interactive toy-maker
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“A perfect Saturday morning is a run around Wonderland Lake, followed by a burrito at the Walnut Cafe … then a small morning nap, followed by riding downtown for the farmer’s market … followed by nap.”
–Ryan Van Duzer, an outdoor adventure TV host
“A perfect Saturday morning in Boulder would include a drive up Flagstaff Road to Sunrise Amphitheater to watch the sunrise. Next, enjoy breakfast at the Boulder Farmers Market, before strolling to Pearl Street to shop and watch street performers. Finally, rent a couple of bikes to ride on the Boulder Creek Path, and end with craft beer tour at some of Boulder’s award-winning breweries.”
-Catherine Bouchard, concierge at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa, who teamed up with Jon Forste, also a concierge, to come up with a perfect Saturday morning in Boulder
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“I usually like to drive up to Longmont to golf since it’s cheaper than golfing in Boulder, and I like the courses up there more. They also tend to have more openings, so if all of a sudden my Saturday morning opens up, I can make a quick tee time. Haystack Mountain in Niwot is also good because you don’t need a tee time, and it’s quick, so you can be done by lunch.”
-Mitch Byars, reporter at the Daily Camera
