Elevation Beer Co in Poncha Springs or Salida. While the Front Range is well known for its accessibility and rides for all ability levels, mountain bikers are especially enthralled by some of the more difficult and technical terrain that that Front Range offers. Similar to Breckenridge’s skiing options, beginner riders will delight in this outdoor playground. Best Mountain Biking in Colorado’s Front Range Buffalo Creek. Colorado Outfitter Rafting License #: 534 Colorado Outfitter License #: 2717, © 2020 Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides™, Best Mountain Bike Rides In the Front Range for Expert Mountain Bikers, Colorado Backpacking and Multi-Day Hiking, Best Mountain Bike Rides In the Front Range, Best Mountain Bike Rides In the Front Range for Intermediate Mountain Bikers, Colorado Adventure Vacations and Adventure Trips, Spring Guided Mountain Biking In the Front Range. You’ll get some steep and challenging terrain to climb before heading down through a beautiful pine forest. And regardless of the terrain or weather, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Here, you can find 25 miles of trails open to mountain bikes. My Advice for Planning Your Colorado Mountain Biking Trip, Colorado Backcountry Mountain Bike Guides. After your first descent, an even greater climb awaits, bringing you to a (literal) breathtaking 12,000 feet. Beginners can gain their footing on this 3.6-mile one way trail. We create mountain and winter fat bike tours, tailored to your ability level and desires, that showcase the best biking, scenery, & local culture that CO has to offer. Climbing 2,000 vertical feet is no joke and takes the majority of the time on this trail. Starting from the top, you’ll encounter 32 boulder-filled switchbacks called “The Golden Stairs.” You’ll need to be ready to hike-a-bike, as in carry your bike, but for obvious reasons even that isn’t a walk in the park. You’ll find some adrenaline-fueled jumps on the way to Lake Moraine Trail when you reach true isolation. I might be biased as an Aspen local, but the Rockies and the Western Slope offer some of the best tracks in the state. Unlike Alaska’s more dangerous breeds, black bears can be scared away by loud noises. Divide. I recommend nabbing a shuttle service for an easy drop off. Best Mountain Bike Rides In the Front Range for Intermediate and Expert Mountain Bikers. Generally all-mountain bikes have between 130 and 160mm of travel. Government Trail starts in Snowmass and runs 19 miles before ending at Tiehack Road at the foot of Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain (perhaps, you’ve heard of X Games?). A reusable water bottle will go a long way. Skiing and hiking might first come to mind when you think of Colorado, but mountain biking has a storied history thanks to the locals who helped craft a new outdoor sport. Trailforks.com offers a detailed mountain bike trail map of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley area you can use to familiarize yourself with the trails. The reward is that you’ll enjoy outstanding mountain views in all directions. Starting off the Peak-to-Peak Highway, the trails feature moderate and slightly technical climbing, followed by fast and flowing downhill rides through loose terrain. You also get 7,120 feet of descent. Monarch Pass in San Isabel National Forest features a stunning, albeit challenging, high-alpine ride. 136 Trails. It was an avid cycling community back in the 1970s who took it upon themselves to tinker with clunkers and road bikes to find better alternatives to “forearm suspension” as they rode over rugged mountain and off-road terrain. You also won’t run out of entertainment. A former coal mining town about 200 miles from Denver, Crested Butte sits at 8,850-feet elevation and is considered the cradle of modern mountain biking. Denver. Mountain Biking Colorado Springs with The Singletrack Sampler, The Monarch Crest Trail Is Still the Definition of Epic. Aspen bike trails received status as a “Gold-Level Ride Center” by the International Mountain Bike Association, an organization that honors the world’s best destinations for mountain bikers. I recommend this trail for its high-altitude panoramas and historic sights without the grind of Boreas Pass. Red Rock Canyon might not be the sexiest of the Colorado Springs mountain biking trails, but you will find satisfying singletrack through sandstone hogbacks. Airline, Cozyline and Viewline trails bring you near the summit with spectacular views of the Elk Mountain Range and sweeping views all the way from Buttermilk to Snowmass. It starts mostly flat and winds through pines before meeting Silver Creek Trail for another 4.5 miles of. This city is likely most well-known as home to the University of Colorado at Boulder. Accompanied by an experienced guide, hop on a high-quality mountain bike and cruise down trails among the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountains. REI Supports COMBA Building Mountain Bike Trails in Colorado’s Front Range Despite its popularity, Colorado’s terrain can pose its own risk and people in the high-alpine can’t be easily reached. Permitted BLM Upper Colorado River Basin. Pack for weather events — the Rockies get late-afternoon lightning events and the Front Range is notorious for hail storms that will total a car without warning! You connect to four other trails to reach the famous Captain Jacks for a truly fun downhill experience. Development of this platform was partially funded by EU. The all single-track trail begins in nearby Kenosha and ends in Breckenridge. Keep an eye out for hikers when you get close to either town because it’s a popular walkway. Here are11 of our favorites to get you started. And bring a GPS, especially if you’re headed into remote areas where you’re unfamiliar. From the Western Slope to the central Rocky Mountains to the Denver foothills, mountain bikers have their choice of thousands of miles of beautifully crafted trails and trail systems to savor. The trail takes you across Snowmass Mountain down into the Maroon Creek Valley. Starting from Kenosha, you’ll begin with a decent climb to an aspen clearing and views of the Como Valley. The 26-mile round-trip Barr Trail navigates mountain bikers up to the top of Pikes Peak. Crested Butte. While you’re here, remember that there are horses, runners, kids and hikers here too, so be mindful of your speed and others. Mountain bikes for $2,500 – Entry full-suspension trail mountain bikes, carbon hardtail mountain bikes. Weather can also change at the drop of a hat and lightning is always a risk when traveling in the high country of the Rockies. (optional). Remember, you’re likely to lose service on the trail, so download any maps you might need! The main knock against Yeti bikes is that they’re not great values, and this mostly holds true for the SB130. Keeping with the flow, you shoot back out upon the paved section of Boreas Pass road. Technically this 33-mile segment of the 547-mile IMBA EPIC Colorado Trail, signifying true backcountry riding in a remote setting. Keep your distance and don’t even dream of a close-up. In Colorado, hiking 14ers isn’t simply a weekend endeavor, it’s a rite of passage. Remember, more people than ever are heading out into Colorado’s wilderness due travel restrictions. You can even find mountain biking trails in Colorado’s eastern plains. ... you learn the best technique that way to really take full advantage of a full suspension when you get one. Starting in 1976, a bunch of these burly riding locals decided to ride the 12,075-foot Pearl Pass, a 40-mile mule pass, and visit their neighbors in Aspen. Colorado’s vast, diverse terrain is sliced in half by the Rockies, resulting in sweeping vistas from its famous 14ers and high-alpine descents that define the term white-knuckling. If you can fly into Aspen, do it. The views of the Elk Range, with miles of aspen groves and clear alpine lakes make it a seasonal favorite. Get in-depth reviews and expert advice to help you start planning your next big outdoor adventure. Access doesn’t get much easier. Spoiler alert: you’ll have to share with other vehicles. As a beginner, I balked at the gear prices. Despite its length, Boreas Pass is more of a beginner’s trail and worth riding for the single-track downhill until the end. Mountain Biking Colorado's Front Range includes over 45 of the greatest off-road mountain bike rides along Colorado's Front Range. I recommend the latter, but it’s your journey. Monarch Crest Trail. Cripple Creek. 2020's top bike tours in Colorado`s Front Range include Front Range Ride Guides Ltd. - Day Tours, New Venture Cycling Day Tours + Pedego Boulder- Electric Bike Tours & Rentals. Ride length: 24.2 miles roundtrip. While the greatest elevation may be behind you at this point, get ready for three more ascents to conquer before you hit the Gold Hill trailhead just north of Breckenridge on Highway 9. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a discount and updates on 57hours offers, webinars, and reviews. You won’t get bored since the berms, contours and jumps are really a good time. My partner and I anticipate the season’s final snowmelt to head out on the multitude of freerides and XC trails. Thanks to 800 miles of tracks, Breckenridge mountain biking trails offer something for all skills from first time riders to challenging routes. Be aware, the scenery followed by more than a few pitches. You can’t beat the panoramas at 12,000 feet, Hot springs, camping and activities abound, A 15-mile trek with significant climbing up a dirt road will get you onto Monarch Crest Trail. Regardless, Elk Creek has plenty of technical challenges on hand, along with creeks, views, gravel and some smooth, smooth dirt. The Van Hagar - Best of Both Worlds! You’ll be spending most of this ride at higher elevations, so plan accordingly and bring extra water and food. Snowmass is my personal favorite for its range of downhill riding at the Snowmass Bike Park. Also, stick to the trails to reduce impact. Buffalo Creek, Pine. There is only one place to begin when it comes to mountain bike tires, and this … Fortunately, the Arkansas River is a main attraction in Salida and nearby Buena Vista. We'll also take a few big multi-day trips per year to other riding hot spots in and out of state. In western Colorado around Fruita, you’ll find desert terrain featuring plenty of dry singletrack early in the season. Riders ascend 2000 vertical feet and travel above 12,000 feet elevation. The Colorado Mountain Bike Association ... the trail is the first of its kind on Colorado’s Front Range, a … Crested Butte is also surrounded by an abundance of single-track trails and massive cross-country tracks to ride. What this combo offers are three uphill ascents for a total elevation gain of 3,326 feet, three rewarding descents and about 30 hold-on-to-your-handlebar switchbacks on the last go. Add these and more to your travel plan Experience the best of the Colorado’s Mountain Biking in an action packed 3-day trip that highlights the best mountain […] You can also skip the crowds and head to the alternative Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Join thousands of outdoor enthusiasts subscribed to our newsletter! Don’t mess with a mother with her cubs, though. The complete prize … I’ve seen it too many times where people get wasted after a couple drinks or get headaches from dehydration when visiting Aspen. Another thing that’s not to be missed while mountain biking here is the Wellington Bike Park. Heil Valley Ranch: 12 miles: ... Colorado has a huge variety of mountain bike terrain with stunning mountain vistas no matter which way you look. Front Range Ride Guides are fortunate to have offices in two of the country's best beer towns - Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado. Bring layers and start early to avoid afternoon storms, although the changing climate means they’re less of an issue these days. We specialize in custom bike tours of the CO Front Range; Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, & beyond. San Luis Valley? For beginners, the Evolution Bike Park at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is ideal to check out if you want a day to refine your skills. Photo by Greg Floyd. Riding these technical trails requires grit and skill being able to endure long uphill trails and fun, fast, and flowing downhill sections with some technical abilities required. Pikes Peak Plummet links several fun trails together for a 26-mile ride from the summit back to Colorado Springs. Yes, really. After long strenuous uphill and downhill trails, the single-track then rides through a final exposed hillside with spectacular views of the mountains beyond, and the thrilling curves through the Shingle Mill Trail to the end. Check the weather often, drink plenty of water and remember altitude lowers your tolerance for alcohol. The local obsession didn’t stay hidden in the mountains. A mountain biking atlas to the Front Range region, this one-of-a-kind guidebook details each trail in relation to local history, geology, archeology, legend, and lore. Easy on the eyes, hard on the lungs | Mountain Biking Crested Butte with Chasing Epic, Steeps, sweeps and sketchy creeks! You’ll hit some technical terrain, features and vantage points. Continental Der Baron Projekt 2.4 Mountain Bike Tire. It’s the heart of this landlocked state, specifically near the Front Range and Central Rockies that offers the majority of the Centennial State’s staggering 8000-plus miles of tracks. If you’re headed to the mountains or high elevation, bring a puffy or warm jacket seeing it can get down to the 40s at night, even in the summer. This list wouldn’t be complete without a loop in Palmer Park. You can get all of this without even leaving town. 29 Trails. Elk Park doesn’t include Pikes’ 14,115-foot summit, but rather the starting point is a “modest” 11,835. Valhalla is Snowmass’ first freeride trail, named after Norse Mythology, at Snowmass Bike Park. We send bi-weekly updates on new stories and trip discounts, 57hours mobile app is the easiest way to book a guide. 1 Trails. The Pearl Pass Tour is now held every September. 5. The Colorado Front Range is the Nation's Craft Beer Mecca, with 100's of breweries, we are in the spot! Bikers come from across the world to experience Colorado’s world-class trails. There are a few tips of advice that seem to trip people up when planning out a trip to Colorado. Buffalo Creek has both the single and double track trails. Crested Butte is also home to the country’s first mountain biking club, the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, established in 1983. This route is also an excellent way to link to plenty of other trails within the Golden Horseshoe network. Buffalo Creek Big Loop. It can also be guided if the thought of being at 14,000 feet without cell service is intimidating — and should be taken seriously if you’re new to long-distance, high-alpine treks. Colorado Public Utilities Commission: #55777 – Transportation license for sightseeing, charter, limousine services. Benson is a competitive athlete, highly-experienced tester/reviewer, and published author. Pueblo. 14 Great MTB Trails Near Denver Ridgeline Open Space Mountain Bike Trail. If you ride this trail both ways, make sure you’re rested up before the journey, as it’s pretty much all up hill. I recommend you stay in the charming town of Salida, just north of the trail. People gravitate here because vast portions of it are wild. The beauty of the terrain here is what sets it apart from other mountain biking destinations. I believe this trail is well worth the effort. As to what sort of riding they’re suited to, the clue’s in the name. Many of these trails involve stretches of bare rock that are slippery during and after rain, or gravel that can get loose when dry. Traveling from Breckenridge to Frisco sets you up for some fairly moderate climbing until you plateau and hit the 1,000 feet for your ascent. While some say there are better trails in the area, I recommend this is a must ride for everyone. This doable gravel path travels through aspen groves — a must-do in fall. 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