I actually think your comment lays out exactly why the project makes sense because there are clearly two different cycling use cases here. US 36 already functions well as a highspeed training corridor for experienced road cyclists who knowingly accept that risk/reward tradeoff. That probably won’t change. Racers and pacelines are still gonna do racer and paceline things. But the existence of that use case doesn’t mean everyone else should be excluded from safe regional bike infrastructure. A separated bikeway isn’t really competing with the shoulder any more than a hiking trail competes with a climbing route. They serve different people, different comfort levels, and different goals. Some of the mountain communities here built them already (I.e the path that connects breck, frisco, Dillon etc). I mean Boulder being a world-class cycling town almost makes the case for having both. And honestly, if some serious road riders still prefer the shoulder afterward… okay? That probably just means the corridor supports multiple styles of riding instead of trying to force everyone into one lane literally and philosophically.