Western and Rocky States
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You're pedaling strong, barreling down a hill, you feel a cool breeze and hear it rustle the leaves of the towering trees shading the trail. Heading back up a gentle grade, you slow occasionally to take some tight, technical turns, and breathe deeply of the sweet, fresh air.
It's hard to say what elements must come together to create the ideal mountain biking experience, but most riders would agree that there are some places where those"zen" moments just come more easily and more often. Moab, Utah, is perhaps the best-known of these mountain biking meccas, but we at GORP have uncovered some hot spots that are emerging as the next big destinations for pilgrims on two fat tires.
It's only fitting to begin with Crested Butte, Colorado, where rides of gorgeous Rocky Mountain passes contributed to the growth of the sport in its early years. Here you'll find trails fit for a beginner and challenges for even the most experienced of riders, winding among the peaks, pines, and aspens of central Colorado. In addition to the history of the sport, you'll also hear echoes of the past in the area's many ghost towns and abandoned mines, remnants of the gold rush.
At one end of the legendary Kokopelli Trail, you'll find Moab, Utah. And just west of the trail's eastern terminus at Grand Junction, there's Fruita, Colorado, now beginning to come into its own as a premier mountain biking destination. More than a thousand riders converge on the place every April for Fruita's Fat Tire Festival. What they find are gorgeous valleys, canyons, cliffs, and ridges, and a variety of trails crisscrossing every possible type of terrain.
When you look for Downieville on a map of northern California, you'll find it's not particularly close to San Francisco. Actually it's about a four-hour drive. Still, most weekends you'll find Bay Area bikers trekking to Downieville, because they've discovered it's well worth the trip. Nestled in a valley in the middle of the Tahoe National Forest, this tiny town lies at the center of a network of high-quality singletrack. As you explore the area, you'll find yourself pedaling along beside roaring streams and passing through forests of ponderosa pines, cedars, white firs, and dogwoods.
A little further north, bikers are flocking to the jewel of central Oregon — Bend. This former mill town is surrounded by conical peaks, lush meadows, river-carved gorges, and deep blue lakes — a landscape created by violent volcanic eruptions more than 45 million years ago. Because of the region's incredible natural beauty, the town has become a hub for outdoor recreation of all types — skiing, hiking, paddling, and, of course, mountain biking. What makes this area particularly accessible to bikers is the surrounding 1.6-million-acre Deschutes National Forest. The rangers at Deschutes, with the help of local bikers, do a great job of developing and maintaining trails in the area.
Finally, a railroad that was an engineering marvel in its time gives mountain bikers an unparalleled way to explore the verdant, rolling countryside of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Experience the downhill thrill at the area's many alpine ski resorts. Do note, however, that the popular trestles of the Kettle Valley Railroad were damaged in a fall 2003 fire and have yet to be reconstructed.
Each of these places has a unique mix of characteristics that make it especially inviting to bikers, but all share a couple of elements — an abundance of trail-rich public land and an active and friendly mountain-biking community. Remember, however, that controversies often arise as places begin to become more popular with bikers, especially when local trails are also used by hikers and horseback riders. So take care to obey rules of trail courtesy, and help ensure that bikers continue to be welcomed with open arms in these emerging hot spots.
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