I think a bicycle ride up and down by your own power would count. Not if it is an E-bike. Some might restrict that to dirt and rock trails. But if a person walks all the way up the road and back, I would certainly count it a legitimate 14er success.
If you hike to the summit from Devil's Playground and back, I don't think that counts either, because it's way less than the 3,000 feet of gain.
How much gain to claim Pikes Peak?
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Re: How much gain to claim Pikes Peak?
bdloftin77 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 4:29 pm I enjoy biking quite a bit and live in the Springs, so my first ride up the peak was from Manitou. I felt very satisfied with that ride. The only harder/further ride I wanted to do was from my house in eastern Colorado Springs, just to say I did it. I personally didn’t even consider biking from Glen Cove or Devils Playground, as I wanted “the full highway experience” and wanted to struggle up the full seven miles of 9-10% grade which Glen Cove is right in the middle of (let alone another few sections of mile+ 9-10% grade). However, for those who aren’t as big into biking, starting from Glen Cove could be a reasonable ride, being just under 3K’ similar to other easier 14ers, and still has some hard, steep sections.


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Re: How much gain to claim Pikes Peak?
(Interesting, I tried hitting the Post Reply button but it didn't work. Hence having to quote the OP.)GoalHikingDotOrg wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 9:38 am You can bike up the road to Pikes Peak from several spots. How much would you need to gain to claim the peak, or would you reserve claiming the peak only for those who hike it via the Barr Trail or similar?
(I biked it, I think I earned it, but I'd like to hear what others think)
I hiked Pikes Peak twice. Once was the entire length of the Barr Trail, the other was after driving to the top with a buddy and hiking down to the A-frame and back to the summit (his first 14er) as the TH parking lot below was full at the time (this was before they restricted parking there and started charging). Since I gained over 7000 feet on my full ascent, I think I should be entitled to take off 4000 feet or so and add it to Bierstadt, Sherman, etc. so I can get the full 3000 on each. No? Well, can't blame a guy for trying.

As some have said, you make the rules that you're going to go by. You want to bike it the whole way? Sure, it counts if you say it counts. Some people may not agree with you but that's tough. It's your ascent, do it your way.
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Re: How much gain to claim Pikes Peak?
While I have hiked to the top of Pikes several times from both the Barr and Craigs trails in winter and summer -
The hardest part of the adventure is DIGESTING their donuts.
But, they are just too good and I cannot help myself.
The hardest part of the adventure is DIGESTING their donuts.
But, they are just too good and I cannot help myself.
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