Lakewood CO. National?

Yes.

Lakewood is a great track to walk around, they have a huge grass hillside that you can sit on and see just about every part of the race track. 

you can stand in the inside of the start corner at the top of the hill, that is my fav spot to watch the race.

just prepare for any kind of weather because you can have rain snow and heat all in one day…

It's really good for viewing with one end being a giant natural bowl making it easy to see much of the track, and most years they have a big TV screen at that end to watch the bit you can't see. Good for getting around as well between the pits and the track, and with tunnels between the infield and the outfield. Once of my favorites on the schedule for sure.

Cheers

Simon

Bring an umbrella. If it’s hot with no clouds you will 100% roast. There is zero shade. Plus like another said.. the weather can change pretty quick. It’s called thunder valley for a reason. Be roasting one second and running from lighting the next lol

I cannot agree that it is a good track for viewing. 

I go every year however I get VIP just for the shade, the water/food and assigned seat.  The layout doesn't allow for good trackside viewing in most places.  

It will bake your ass, so bring water and shade, like someone said.  You may think you have a good spot to sit and enjoy and then the umbrellas come out and -------- there you are.  

P.S.  I hate VIP and assigned seating at MX, but paying for it is my only option at this point.

Every year I piss and moan about the accommodations and people, swear to myself that I will not return.  

See you there. 

The infield is where it's at if you're not paying for VIP.  You can move around and see any part of the track super easily.  Another pro tip, if you can arrange a motorcycle as your transportation you can park at the gate for free. 

I'll probably be paying for VIP again this year, but still on the fence.  

One of the best 1st turns in the sport.  

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Yes!!   Its awesome for viewing.  We went there last year. You are able to walk most of the whole track.

As others have said...  Bring a big umbrella and lots of sunscreen and water.  When the sun is out, you roast there.  We had a front row seat to Eli's multiple attempts to pass Ken in 2022...

Start sleeping in the altitude tent now to get acclimated !!!!  

I'm right on the fence when they top the hill...feels like no other.

The other advantage that hasn’t been mentioned is great access. It’s 35-60 minutes from the airport. Airport is on the east side of town and the track is on the west but lots of restaurants, hotels and other things to do very close to the track. The track is right at a major highway interchange. There are plenty of other national tracks that are in the middle of nowhere. 

Went last year for the first time. It was a great race! We rented some mountain bikes and rode Green Mountain across the street the day before. Then cruised up Mt. Evans the day after the race. It was an awesome venue and the viewing was pretty good. Lots to do around there too. 

I totally forgot about the MTBing - it's great all around the track since Thunder Valley is right on the edge of the front range mountains. I like North Table Mountain in Golden (loads of trails and a brewery at the bottom) and if you're pushed for time ride Lair O' the Bear just outside Morrison - it's an out and back with a new 1-way DH section, almost all shaded through trees, possibly my favourite trail on the Front Range. Then if you want some uphill punishment ride Mt Falcon. 

Cheers

Simon 

Love it. We have gone a few times and it was awesome. Did ViP one year and hill people another with chair and umbrella and it was excellent.  It can go from hot to freezing in seconds. We rented a house in Golden at the base of Gulch trail and a cabin in Silverton and it was such a great time. 

If you are going and getting GA tickets for the love of god bring a shade umbrella and some chairs so you aren't sitting on the ground the whole time. 

Having been to all of them, easily top three for viewing the track, top shelf for surrounding scenery, and far easier to get to than most.

Recommend.

Wtf we got tickets for this and the ticket says no umbrellas.. so what is it guys?

Kinda an ask for forgiveness instead of permission thing with the umbrellas. Gate guys don’t really care and everyone spectating expects it so no one bitches. It’s a long, sunny day with no access to shade other than VIP. If it’s going to be warm and sunny you will want it. Plus, lots of water if you’re coming from a humid place. Relative humidity in the Denver area can be in the 10-30% so when you sweat it dries quickly. A lot of out of town folks dehydrate quickly and don’t realize it. 

Hell, that's any national. These issues aren't specific to Lakewood, try spectating at Pala. Zero shade, hotter than hell and only one "hill" to get on to get any kind of view of the track that fills up quick. I've never been but Thunder Valley looks epic for riding and spectating. 

The good and the bad is that pretty much the whole thing is hill. Good for viewing, not great for lugging coolers, chairs, etc from the parking lot to the top. 

Ah, gotcha. Still would love to visit there one day. CO looks beautiful 

Some more Pics

https://www.vitalmx.com/profile_manager/photo_albums

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/OldMans-view-thru-the-Be…

https://www.vitalmx.com/community/old-man,30246/all#photos

Two years ago I saw some guy on the hill pass out in his chair and flop, unconscious, a hundred feet into a crowd. Hydrate!!!

Word to the wise, no hard coolers allowed.  Only soft coolers. 

I think this is a newer rule and they blamed it on the AMA last year when I pressed. 

Some people get them in but I think it's mostly people that are camping in the RV lot. 

It's been said by almost everyone...water will save your ass.  A smart feller will leave the beer and energy drinks alone at this place.  Don't count on the vendors to have water all day long.  Buy it when you see it and the line isn't a mile long...and use what you carry in to survive.  I don't recommend trying to hump a cooler of any kind around this place.  It's just more trouble than it's worth.

The parking is a fair distance from the gate and is a steeper grade than it looks.  You're not gonna wanna go back to the car till it's time to leave.

I've gotten by just fine with a wide brimmed hat vs umbrella.  

If you're like me and like to walk around the whole track numerous times...be warned...it's damn steep and lots of rollie rocks that are perfect for face plants.

The little town of Morrison is a good post race spot for a beer and eats.  Real close.

They had Toyota truck demos at the bottom last time I went and they would drive you to the top and give you a swag pack with moto socks. I bought a Honda Umbrella in the pits and brought one. Parked 1 car row in each time and easy in and out. 

Colorado is awesome! I've never been to Lakewood, but we used to drive every winter from Kansas when I was a kid and go up to Colorado for skiing.

Last summer we went to Winter Park; Fraser, CO with my fiancés family, this year we are going to Breckinridge in August. The highest temp we saw in August in Fraser was around 75. I hope to move out that direction in about 8 years. 

When Covid happened this race was pushed back into October on my birthday so we made a trip from Ohio. Was worth every penny imo. Just so happened to be Elk rut so in Rocky Mountain National park they were screaming. Awesome state to visit.