Rubber Side Down

The Deer Creek Trail in Crested Butte

1. Summit County: This is where I love to spend time in the summer. The Breckenridge area alone has miles of fantastic trail, not to mention Vail, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Leadville. Try the Two Elk/Commando Run ride near Vail… it drops you into the back bowls for a stunning ride down to Minturn. If you dig the downhill scene, check out Keystone. Those folks are taking it seriously, with five new trails built last summer featuring tabletops, wall rides, and more freeride goodies.

2. Winter Park: Not quite as pretty as the Summit area, but it makes up for it with a rock-solid network of trails that are 30 seconds from your car. You can park at the resort or in Fraser, ride till the wheels fall off, and then in minutes be enjoying lunch at Rudi’s Deli in the town of WP. The Tipperary Creek trail is a highlight, with one of the best downhills in the area. And speaking of downhill, you can find plenty of challenges on the front of the ski hill, including a freeride skills progression. Here’s their cross-country race series.

3. Sol Vista: This resort opened for riding recently, so I don’t have the 411 just yet. But I know the Mountain States Cup race series is holding an event or two there, so it’s likely a decent venue. I’ll scope it out and get back to you.

4. Steamboat Springs: Okay, now we’re talking. This is my favorite kind of riding – high alpine forest, covered in aspens, with loooong, all-day adventures in store.

5. Crested Butte: Don’t get me started! This is my all-time, hands-down, favorite place to ride. I usually only make it there twice a year, since the season is short and the drive is long, but it is oh so worth it. (Hang on, let me go wipe the drool off my chin.) You definitely better bring an extra lung to the Butte, and be careful with anyone you bring who hails from sea level. Some of the rides start at 11, 000 feet. I highly recommend the 401 Trail, the Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadman loop (add on Rosebud Gulch if you really want to suffer), Doctor Park, Snodgrass, Dyke Trail, Teocalli Ridge (be prepared for the longest climb of your life), and Upper Upper to Strand Hill. Whew! Take my word for it, you’ll dig it.

6. Salida: Folks, go ride here immediately – if not sooner – because the Monarch Crest Trail may not be around forever. It’s part of the Continental Divide Trail, which is embroiled in a “planning process” that might close it to mountain bikes in the future. Although it’s too late to take part in the original public comment, keep your eyes peeled here for updates. The process will have to go through a more local iteration before the trail would be closed, so let’s not miss out on that opportunity to speak up. Anyway, it’s 40 miles of sweet, backcountry singletrack that will leave a permanent grin on your face. Throw in the Rainbow Trail for even more grins.

7. Durango: Another seriously awesome place to ride. The Colorado Trail is droolicious, the Telegraph Hill area will turn you into a climbing machine, and Hermosa Creek will make you cry (in a good way). Plus the town of Durango is fun to hang out in, with Ned Overend and Travis Brown sightings.

8. Fruita: Most everyone has been to Fruita by now, but if you haven’t, get on it. It’s actual desert singletrack, with trails ranging in difficulty from the smooth swoopiness of Kessel Run to the technical challenges of Moore Fun. There are great places to camp near the Bookcliffs, and the town of Fruita is finally getting some amenities. The bike shop there rocks.

9. Pueblo: Not a fabulous destination necessarily, but thanks to the hard work of a handful of people down there, a pretty groovy trail network has been created at the state park. This could be a fun place to hit along the way to other hotspots.

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