COLROADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado Springs will now be home to the city’s first bicycle-themed hotel. As of Friday evening, a local family owns the property and will renovate Buffalo Lodge near Garden of the Gods to be a bike rider’s dream escape.
“We’re hoping to have local partnership with people that will sponsor our bike washing station, help us to build our new patio and bar tap room,” said Torie Giffin, now owner of the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort.
There is a lot of work ahead, but Torie said she has been waiting for this day to come.
“It just started out as a dream and I just never stopped going for it,” said Torie.
The plan is to turn the lodge into a resort with bicycle-themed rooms.
“Riders just want a great place to hang out, to go ride from, share their stories at the end of the day, hang out by a fire, and drink a beer,” Torie said.
Torie and her husband Nathan’s kids will tell you their mom has worked really hard for this.
“I’m very proud of my mom because it just came as a dream and then she runs into a hotel and makes it happen,” said Levi Giffin, Torie’s son.
According to the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, over 80,000 cyclists visit the region every year to stay overnight, and the Giffin family wants to welcome each and every one of them.
“I know it’s a great city, and I want to help communicate that to the world and be a place that will attract people to come and stay here,” said Torie.
For now, the Buffalo Lodge will run as is, but little by little it will transform with customized rooms for bike riders.Keep up with the lodge as they go through their journey on their Facebook page.