ARTICLES LIBRARY | MOUNTAIN BIKING INFO

      

Mountain biking is a fun, wholesome, family-friendly sport that provides the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Because of the fat tires and heavy-duty shocks on bikes, every age group can enjoy mountain biking. Bring a young child on a ride and begin a family riding tradition. Local shops have trailers for toddlers, or for the younger child, trail-a-bikes. Trail-a-bikes attach to the back of a bike and allow the child to peddle and feel more independent and part of the ride. Local shops have rentals and accessories. The Fraser River Trail, a paved bike path, goes from Winter Park Resort 5 miles to the stoplight in Fraser. Then, The Fraser to Granby Trail, a dirt path, goes from Fraser to SolVista. This trail is perfect for families.

A network of trails radiates through Grand County. There is some of the best and most diverse riding in the state with over 600 miles of trails to choose from. Many of these trails are gentle and mellow. Some are more challenging for skill and/or physical ability. The trail system in our area makes it very easy to link a variety of trail types to form the ride you are looking for.

The new rage in mountain biking is the fast, adrenaline rush sport of downhill riding. Downhill riding is done on a bike that has a longer throw of travel in the shock, meaning the bike can absorb more. The trails have jumps and obstacles for the rider with more skill. Both Winter Park Resort and SolVista Basin offer lift-accessible trails for either downhill or cross-country. Both areas have rentals, demos and service. Keep in mind that both areas are ski areas in the winter. Therefore, the trails are steeper than some of the cross-country trails in the valley.

Riding at Winter Park Resort      www.trestlebikepark.com Winter Park Resort turns its trail system into Trestle Bike Park with two lifts serving 30 miles of downhill freeride trails with over 150 features, including tabletop jumps, elevated stunts, drops, and banked cruisers. With Forest Service approval to build nearly ten miles of new trails, expect new trail segments to open throughout the season. Most trails in Trestle Bike Park are downhill-only; however, a few trails are two-way multi-use (hiking and biking). The trails are well marked using signs similar to the winter ski-trail signs. The area does a great job of marking and maintaining the trails. Most trails in Trestle Bike Park require basic to intermediate off-road bike handling skills, and lessons are offered for beginners to establish the skills to ride the park. With over 2,000 vertical feet, most trails in Trestle Bike Park are intermediate level and above, with the exception of Fantasy Meadow and Lower Roof of the Rockies, which can be ridden with basic skills. Also keep in mind that, even though the trails start at the summit, trails marked as two-way traffic typically include sections of uphill riding. There are more trails to ride at the Resort than we show. Ask at the host kiosk at Winter Park Resort for more information.

Winter Park operates daily, June 13-September 7 and weekends September 12-27.

Tickets, rentals, lessons and gear can be purchased at The Trestle Bike Park Shop at the base of Winter Park Resort.

• Half-day Trestle Bike Park Pass: $24
• Full-day Trestle Bike Park Pass: $34
• Trestle Bike Park Midweek Season Pass: $169
• Trestle Bike Park Full Season Pass: $199
• Unlimited Zephyr Express scenic chairlift rides included with Trestle Bike Park Season Pass.

Riding at SolVista Bike Park      www.bikesolvista.com SolVista Bike Park at Granby Ranch has a network of cross-country trails easily accessible from the base lodge by a high-speed bike-specific lift. The trails are family friendly with a mix of single and double track that wander through aspen groves and wildflower patches. Both the downhill trails and cross-country trails have been expanded and the pumptrack is newly designed. For those unfamiliar with the bike park, SolVista professional team riders give tours of the area. These are not instructional clinics but easy-going informal rides that highlight features of the park. (Approximately 2 hours, fee.) Professional riding instruction is offered for beginners through expert levels for cross country, downhill and pumptrack. (Half day and full day, fee.) The SolVista Bike Park has a full retail shop and service center with rental and demo bikes. The base camp includes the Seven Trails Grille with a sundeck. As a plus, a free bike wash area is available at the Base Lodge.

SolVista operates Friday-Sunday, June 5-September 27.

Lift tickets:

• Friday ~ $18 adult, $12 child (under 13)
• Saturday/Sunday ~ $25 adult, $15 child (under 13)
• Adult Unlimited Bike Pass ~ $175
• Child Unlimited Bike Pass ~ $125

Due to beetle mitigation, some trails may be closed throughout the summer for logging efforts. If a trail is closed, there will be signs posted in the area and at the forest service office, as well as local bike shops and visitor centers. When a trail is closed, an alternate route may be provided until the affected trails can be reestablished. The character of the area has changed due to the beetle and the clearing of trees. Logging efforts are in place to protect property, reduce fuels and protect us from trees falling naturally. The trails most affected by 'cut units' are Creekside, Flume, Zoom, Chainsaw, D2, D3, D4 and Elk Meadow. Logging and other fuel reduction activities designed to address the bark beetle infestation on the Sulphur Ranger District is in full swing. Read how Forest visitors can enjoy the Forest while avoiding fuel reduction work »

Bicycles must ride with the traffic, not against it. (The opposite of pedestrians who should walk against the flow of traffic.) Obey all traffic signs, including stop signs and stoplights. Bikers must yield to all other trail users. Stop and step aside. Don't ride off the trail. The uphill rider always has the right-of-way.

If you are mountain biking on a multi-use trail, you must yield to all other trail users. Stop. Step aside. Don't ride off the trail. Always alert other trail users in advance. Pass on the left and signal by voice, "On your left." The uphill rider always has the right-of-way. When you come across a muddy section, PLEASE GET OFF YOUR BIKE AND WALK THROUGH IT. Riding around the section erodes more areas.