Cruising–the very basis of the automotive world. Whether you grew into the scene back when you upgraded from your mom’s boat of a car or still enjoy driving around on a nice afternoon in your prized ride, you know that it’s not about what you’ve got, but rather about being behind the wheel, enjoying your time, and being with a group of like-minded individuals.

Your car may have cost you $1,000 or $100,000, but when you’re cruising, no dollar amount, no level of rarity, and certainly no troubles in your life matter. It’s a well-loved pastime for all types of vehicle owners for good reason. That’s why you’ll find cruisers of all ages nation wide and communities that not only support the activity, but encourage it.

For years, that has been the case in Golden, Colorado, where car enthusiasts take to the streets of the first Saturday of every month for a night of cruising and comradery with fellow gearheads. It’s called The Golden Super Cruise and if you’ve ever taken part, you know just how popular and fun it can be.

The Cruise

Held along South Golden Road the first Saturday of the month, May through October, The Golden Super Cruise has been a tradition in the Colorado hot rod scene for many years. A “run what you brung” kind of event, the cruise officially kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and runs until 8:00 p.m., with parking lots along the favored section of road crowded with hot rods, muscle cars, vintage trucks, modern performance machines, and even high-dollar exotics long before and after the event.

With local businesses opening their parking lots and doors to all the enthusiasts involved, it’s more like one big hangout than anything else.

Over the years, even some well-known automotive companies like Hagerty Classic Car Insurance have gotten involved, offering booths with Golden Super Cruise merchandise and automotive related souvenirs.

Though the cruise has changed hands in the past couple years, conjuring up new cruising rules and parking restrictions, more and more enthusiasts remain loyal attendees at the Golden event.

With cars parked in lots all along South Golden Road and others cruising the streets, you’ll rarely see the same vehicles twice in one spot. While some folks park their prized rides for the night, the majority of attendees pop in and out of parking lots all night long, taking turns in crowded parking areas and enjoying every minute of it.

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More than just your small-town cruise, The Golden Super Cruise offers hundreds of cars to ogle over and even merchandise to commemorate the experience!

The only thing we’d suggest if you’re planning to attend is get there early, take pictures, and admire the vehicles you like when you can, because chances are they’ll be out and about or moved to a different location by the time you get back by.

The Cars

Whether you’re a diehard purist, muscle car aficionado, or a true-blue hot rod kind of person, The Golden Super Cruise offers plenty of things to see for all kinds of enthusiasts. Hot rods remain as popular as ever at the event, while the appearance of rat rods and stanced rides has increased over the years. Certainly every vehicle gets plenty of attention while on display or cruising the streets, but it’s the rarely seen classics that really draw the crowd’s attention–that and the rides that are so custom, you’ll never see another like them again.

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All shapes and sizes attend The Golden Super Cruise, with a vibrant mix of paint schemes, body modifications, and classic factory designs to show off.

While at the event, we ran across a number of individuals that we had met at other events before, including many that attended the Goodguys Colorado Nationals, the Road Knight’s Blue Light Special car show, and even the Super Chevy Show down at Bandimere Speedway. And as you know, there were dozens of incredible rides found at all three; the amazing part about The Golden Super Cruise, however, is that this time around, everyone was driving their vehicles.

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Showing their dedication to the hobby, we even met some folks from Wyoming that drove almost three hours to take part in the cruise. Families with multiple generations in attendance were as prevalent as Hildebrand knock-offs and Hurst shifters.

When The Sun Goes Down

Once the sun goes down at most events, enthusiasts scatter like flies. This couldn’t be further from the truth at The Golden Super Cruise as more and more drivers hit the streets with their spiffed-up rides. Another popular night-time destination is the Sonic on the South end of South Golden Road, with its bright neon lights illuminating dozens of parked cars that take over the lot. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there is plenty of traditional drive-thru food to enjoy while you’re there!

Cruising is officially shut down at 8:00 p.m. with road blocks set up to “hint” that the event is over. Vehicle owners and onlookers alike then take to the rest of THE town for late dinners and more car cruising enjoyment.

Though The Golden Super Cruise officially runs May through October, diehard enthusiasts can be found along South Golden Road on the first Saturday evening of practically every month, depending on road conditions. After all, the cruise is all about enjoying your ride and the comradery it brings to share that passion with others regardless of an official event.

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Whether it was on the road or in the Sonic parking lot, hundreds of cruisers and their rides could be found out and about even long after sunset.

The Golden Super Cruise season is over for 2014, but there’s already talk of the official start next year. Of course, us Coloradoans have to get through months of snow before that can happen, but we still look forward to the better weather and another round of cruising nights along the foothills of Golden, Colorado next year!

For more awesome sights from October’s Golden Super Cruise, be sure to check out the massive Rod Authority Photo Gallery after the jump!