PITKIN COUNTY | GARFIELD COUNTY | MESA COUNTY 2020 TRAILS LINED WITH GOLD Roaring Fork Valley designated as Gold GET OUT Level riding THE MAP We’ve got your guide to dozens of rides ROAD RIDES Best of 25 miles / 50 miles / 100 miles E X PER I E N CE OUR G OLD-LEVEL R I D E CENTER I N THE N OT T OO S OCIALLY D I STANT FUTUR E. 2020 PUBLISHERS Samantha Johnston, The Aspen Times Jerry Raehal, Glenwood Springs Post Independent EDITORS David Krause, The Aspen Times Peter Baumann, Glenwood Springs Post Independent EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jeff Bear Scott Condon Charlie Wertheim Benjamin Welch ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ashton Hewitt, The Aspen Times Photo by Anna Stonehouse MARKETING AND MAGAZINE MANAGER Amy Laha, The Aspen Times ADVERTISING TEAM INSIDE ON THE COVER Beth Albert Tim Kurnos Lisa Curley Igor Laray BIKING RESOURCES TRAILS & ROADS Daria French Ryan Lesar DISTRIBUTION 6 Jake Marine MOUNTAIN BIKING Pitkin DESIGN MANAGER GOLD MEDAL STATUS COUNTY Afton Pospíšilová 10 12 ON THE TRAILS GRAPHIC DESIGNER ROAD BIKING Mirko Erspamer BEST RIDES OF 20 ON THE ROADS 25 / 50 / 100 MILES 1,700 Ride the Rockies 36 cyclists head south on 970-945-8515 824 Grand Avenue EVENT CALENDAR Colorado Highway 133 toward McClure Pass and Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Garfield on to Hotchkiss on the GlenwoodSpringsPI 37 @GlenwoodPI morning of June 13, 2019, BIKE SHOPS COUNTY www.postindependent.com & RENTALS after staying in Carbon- 24 ON THE TRAILS dale the night before. 38 (Photo by Anna Stonehouse/ 31 ON THE ROADS The Aspen Times) MERCIER COLUMN 970-925-3414 314 E. Hyman Avenue, #101 Aspen, CO 81611 AspenTimes @TheAspenTimes Mesa www.aspentimes.com COUNTY 32 ON THE TRAILS © Copyright 2020 Colorado Mountain News Media. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. 4 CYCLING GUIDE | 2020 TRAILS LINED WITH GOLD Designated as Gold Level riding, the Roaring Fork Valley has gained serious cred in the mountain-biking world. BY SCOTT CONDON THE ASPEN TIMES Photo by Anna Stonehouse A steady addition of mountain biking The city of Aspen, Pitkin County Open Crown can be linked to the Prince Creek trail trails in recent years paid off last winter Space and Trails program and U.S. Forest network, making for a long, challenging day. Service have expanded the Smuggler when the Roaring Fork Valley was Pritchard said the trails are getting more Mountain-Hunter Creek Valley- designated a Gold Level Ride Center popular because of easy access from Willits Four Corners trails into a world-class by the International Mountain Biking and El Jebel, and a slightly longer journey network with slow, steady additions and Association. from Basalt via the Rio Grande Trail. improvements over the last decade. The valley was recognized for more than 300 He said the Emma side of the Crown is Pitkin County’s acquisition of the property miles of single-track trails and dozens of miles as popular with midvalley riders as Sky that became Sky Mountain Park allowed for of additional routes friendly for mountain Mountain Park is in the upper valley. bikers between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. intermediate flow trails — without technical challenges — that attract a wide variety of Despite the growing popularity, the trails IT WAS THE FIRST gold-leVEL riders. Aspen Skiing Co. keeps adding trails aren’t overwhelmed yet. They are open to DESIGNATION IN COLORADO AND for downhill thrill seekers at its bike park at foot and bike traffic. The farther a rider gets JUST THE SEVENTH WORLDWIDE. Snowmass. Challenging cross-country trails from trailheads, the less likely to run into trail The recognition will alert people traveling also abound around the village. runners or hikers, Pritchard said. Other trails are dedicated to equestrian use. to the Roaring Fork Valley that there are Some of the biggest draws in the midvalley challenging trails to seek out throughout are the various loops possible by combing the Riders in the midvalley also have Basalt the area, said Mike Pritchard, executive Glassier Trail, Buckhorn Traverse, Buckhorn Mountain’s single-track routes available director of the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Trail and Vasten Trail, all relatively recent again after closures during and after the Lake Association. The nonprofit organization additions. The Glassier-Buckhorn Loop, Christine Fire in summer 2018. plays a key role in designing trails and rideable in either direction, provides 15.5 The Mill Creek Trail as well as the longer organizing volunteer labor and professional miles of run. The addition of the 6-mile Upper Basalt Mountain/Cattle Creek loop trail building. The designation may also Vasten single-track trail creates a longer day transformed over the course of the summer build greater awareness about the superb in the saddle for riders. system within the valley, he said. from a barren wasteland to routes lined with All those routes are single-track trails and all blooming fireweed and rapidly growing aspen “We want people who live here to appreciate are located on a geographic feature called the tree saplings. Blackened conifer tree trunks what we’ve got and support it,” Pritchard said. Crown, a prominent hillside between the valley will be part of the landscape for decades, but All areas of the Roaring Fork Valley — floor and Mount Sopris. The trails are generally the fire opened up big vistas along the trails. buffed out, with just a few technical spots. They which includes Snowmass Village, Basalt “Basalt Mountain is a pretty cool place to visit provide a moderate physical challenge. and Carbondale — contribute to the after the fire,” Pritchard said. outstanding network. The days are long “They were designed to be pretty friendly for Mill Creek is a popular route when riders gone when riders had to travel to Aspen climbing,” Pritchard said. exclusively for good trails. are pressed for time. It involves an easy The trails on the Basalt/Emma side of the climb up a Forest Service road and a quick 6 CYCLING GUIDE | 2020 Together feels better. Call us today. We are proud that we spent time apart for the good of our community, but know it is likely that some of your orthopedic needs were postponed. We are here for you and happy to provide extraordinary expertise, technology and compassionate care in a safe environment. Call us today to discuss your needs. PeopleCare. That’s Valley View. VVORTHOCARE.ORG | 970.384.7140 TRAILS LINED WITH GOLD Photo by Kelsey Brunner descent via single-track trail. on strengths of the system and what was lacking. That provided a guide for local “This park will be designed The Upper Basalt Mountain trail provides cycling enthusiasts to add trail types, mileage a stiff climb though one that isn’t technical for all ages and all abilities. and services. Crown Mountain Park in El until the road gives way to a single-track Jebel will play an increasingly important role This will be one of the top route. After additional climbing through rock in appealing to a broad spectrum of skills, gardens, riders connect to a steep, technical parks in the state. A learning according to Pritchard. descent on the Cattle Creek Trail. The park in the El Jebel area currently has a progression like this is very “It’s just a good, physical challenge,” BMX racetrack and a kids’ strider track. In Pritchard said. unique and will evolve the spring it is scheduled to add two lanes Both trails provide a ringside seat for fire of mirrored asphalt pump track that can our biking community recovery ecology. accommodate races and a progressive dirt significantly.” jump park with features to accommodate In the lower valley, the Grandstaff Trail beginners to experts, according to Nate in Glenwood Springs’ backyard and the — Nate Grinzinger Grinzinger, park and recreation manager at new network in South Canyon have been Crown Mountain Park. popular additions. Park and recreation manager, By early July, the park hopes to complete a The Roaring Fork Valley received bronze- Crown Mountain Park cross-country cycling skills course with a level recognition for its mountain bike trail variety of features. It will be a place where system in 2014. The International Mountain “We are creating a new generation of bikers individual riders can sharpen their skills and Bike Association provided a detailed report who will go out into our gold-level biking families can take a short spin. trails,” he added. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! One of the best ways to research trails in the Roaring Fork Valley is to use www.mtbproject.com. Riders can search by area, such as Basalt or Aspen, or look up a specific trail. They can get direc- tions, a map, elevation gain and loss and the high and low points Photo by Kelsey Brunner on the trail. 8 CYCLING GUIDE | 2020 Creating & Sustaining the Best Possible Mountain Bike Trails for the Roaring Fork Valley & New Castle. Become an RFMBA member at IMBA.com/Join Learn more at RFMBA.org BackBack again forfor 20220200 ! Seasonal Trail Crew - improving high-use & backcountry trails. Trail Agent Program - independent trail stewardship training. FINDING YOUR RIDE Breaking down some of our favorite 25/50/100 routes in the area. BY JEFF BEAR GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT Photo by Anna Stonehouse Road biking is one of the most popular ested Maroon Creek Valley, but also for its CENTURY RIDES destination — Maroon Lake, the popular summer activities in Colorado for both Chapman Lake – 95 miles round trip. For viewing spot for the Maroon Bells. visitors and locals alike, and the central the first 19 miles of this ride, you’ll follow Rockies are home to some of the best Castle Creek Road – 24 miles round trip.