Photo courtesy of allsteamboat.com
Heading to Colorado this summer for a little mountain biking but aren’t sure where to go? The truth is, the entire state is great for the sport but there are definitely a handful of locations that stand out among the rest. Below, we’ve shared a list of the top mountain biking destinations in the Centennial State, courtesy of Jason Blevins for The Denver Post. Let’s ride!
Monarch Trail: Part of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail that traverses the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada, Colorado’s Monarch Trail stretches 14 to 25 miles and “climbs from the top of Monarch Pass to the Continental Divide and rolls up and down before reaching the Arkansas River valley floor.” Heralded as one of the state’s best rides, it offers amazing views of the valley from well above the tops of the trees “combined with forearm-crushing descents on streamside trails like Silver Creek and Rainbow Trail.”
Buffalo Creek: An hour west of Denver, mountain bike enthusiasts will find the Front Range’s best trail system at the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. Buffalo Creek offers “sculpted trails winding through burned landscapes, coupled with new-school, super-technical diversions”, making it a great test piece for every type of rider.
401 Trail: Located at Crested Butte, which Blevins says can legitimately claim a role in the birth of mountain biking, is the heralded 401 Trail. This “wildflower-slapping romp through neck-high skunk cabbage” runs down Schofield Pass into Gothic. The ride starts with an easy climb up a long road and at 11,000 feet, riders can take in a panoramic view of Elk Range before their long descent.
To read the rest of Blevins’ list, click here.
Find Bicycle Rentals in Denver, Colorado
Looking to rent a road or mountain bike for your next excursion? Rent It Today can help! The most comprehensive rental resource online, Rent It Today can provide a list of rental bike companies in Steamboat Springs, Colorado or several other great cycling cities across the country. To browse a set of listings, visit www.rentittoday.com!
