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Bike Guide: Come Trail Away - The Bike Guide |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 03 May 2007 |
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Page 2 of 4
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HAPPY TRAILS
Whether you are new to the area or are just looking for new terrain, northern Colorado has plenty of gnarly trails to keep that adrenaline flowing all season long.
From Horsetooth Mountain Park and Lory State Park to Poudre Canyon, there are trails for all skill levels. NEXTnc staffers asked some of the most intense mountain biking experts to share their favorite gems.
— Erin Frustaci
TRAILS
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 John Crowninshield, 39,
Fort Collins
• Sales manager at Full Cycle
• 25 years of biking experience
First Pick: Foothills Trail
“The one I do most often is the Foothills Trail (A-Trail) out of the Maxwell Natural Area. It’s so close of a ride to my house. I can get there in five minutes and get an hour ride in.’’
Rating: Intermediate
Description: The foothills west of Fort Collins feature several trail networks just a quick pedal away. Some of the lower trails are suitable for beginners, but the network also offers more physically demanding trails.
Second Pick: Killpecker Trail
“Killpecker Trail up near Red Feather Lakes is a fun one.”
Rating: Intermediate
Description: The trail travels from the North Fork Poudre campground and ascends to over 10,000 feet, often at a steep line. The trail offers rock and root filled single-track, which is sometimes pretty narrow.
Third Pick: Dadd Gulch
“Dadd Gulch up the Poudre Canyon. I’ve heard it’s lots of fun.”
Rating: Intermediate/ Advanced
Description: Dadd Gulch rises south from the Poudre River a few miles west of the Pingree Park Road Junction. The trail begins at Colo. 14 and is about three miles one way.
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 Peter Field, 23,
Fort Collins
• Service manager at Full Cycle
• 8 years of biking experience
First Pick: Blue Sky Trail
“Blue Sky Trail. It starts at Lory State Park and goes through Horsetooth, then to Coyote Ridge and Devil’s Backbone. It’s about 22 miles one way. It’s my favorite because it is long.”
Rating: Intermediate
Description: The Blue Sky Trail connects the Devil’s Backbone Open Space to Horsetooth Mountain Park. Midway along the trail, there is access to the Coyote Ridge/Rimrock open space areas to the east, and the Indian Summer trail to the west.
Second Pick: Foothills Trail
“Foothills Trail is best for beginners because it is pretty flat and not too technical.”
Rating: Beginner/Intermediate
Description: The foothills west of Fort Collins feature several trail networks just a quick pedal away. Some of the lower trails are suitable for beginners, but the network also offers more physically demanding trails.
Third Pick: Young Gulch
“Young Gulch up the Poudre Canyon, half a mile past Poudre Park. It’s technical.”
Rating: Intermediate/Advanced
Description: Young Gulch is off of Colo. 14 in the Poudre Canyon. The out-and-back single-track trail has some technical spots with some stream crossings.
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 Rich Hoffman, 38,
Fort Collins
• Service manager at Lee’s Cyclery
• 20 years of biking experience
First Pick: Blue Sky Trail
“The new Blue Sky section interrupts with Indian Summer Loop. I like anything that’s new. It’s roly-poly. It’s a beautiful area.”
Rating: Intermediate
Description: The Blue Sky Trail connects the Devil’s Backbone Open Space to Horsetooth Mountain Park. Midway along the trail, there is access to the Coyote Ridge/Rimrock open space areas to the east, and the Indian Summer trail to the west.
Second Pick: Horsetooth Mountain Park
“There’s a lot of trails there. There’s a lot of interconnecting weaving trails and it has an Alpine feel to it. It’s maintained well. You can get hurt there and I do!”
Rating: Advanced
Description: Horsetooth Mountain Park along with Horsetooth Open Space is 2,711 acres with elevations ranging from 5,430 feet to 7,255 feet and offers more than 29 miles of trails.
Third Pick: Hall Ranch
“Hall Ranch outside Lyons. It’s about a 30-minute drive. It’s new to me. I haven’t ridden it much. If you do multiple loops, you can get a good ride. It’s a neat town, good terrain and well maintained.”
Rating: Intermediate/Advanced
Description: Hall Ranch is in Boulder County in the foothills southwest of Lyons and offers three bike trails: Bitterbrush, Nelson Loop and Antelope Trail. Most of the terrain is wide, though some rockier sections and sandy patches do exist. This area offers a beautiful view of Longs Peak.
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 Will Overbagh, 26,
Fort Collins
• Co-owner of Road 34
• 10 years of biking experience
First Pick: Part of the Horsetooth Park trail system
“There’s a nugget of a trail that is about a quarter mile long. It’s part of the Reservoir trail system. It doesn’t have a name that I know of, but it’s great and secluded.”
Rating: Super Advanced
Description: Horsetooth Mountain Park, along with Horsetooth Open Space, is 2,711 acres, with elevations ranging from 5,430 feet to 7,255 feet, and offers more than 29 miles of trails.
Second Pick: Timber Trail
“Timber Trail kicks ass. It’s in Lory State Park.”
Rating: Intermediate/Advanced
Description: The 3.5-mile trail ascends from the Group Picnic Area of Lory State Park to the ridge behind Arthur’s rock.
Third Pick: “Any bike lane that leads to Road 34, which tends to be all of them!”
Rating: You decide
Description: For a detailed map of Fort Collins’ bike lanes and routes, visit www.fcgov.com/bicycling/bike-maps.php.
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 Willy Owens IV, 26,
Fort Collins
• Co-owner of Road 34
• 10 years of biking experience
First pick: Wathan Trail
“Wathan (Trail) up Horsetooth is super fun. Anyone can ride it, but they might have to walk some parts. It’s a good smooth downhill with some technical sections.”
Rating: Intermediate/Advanced
Description: Wathan offers variation, including some easy stuff and some more challenging dropoffs and tight switchbacks.
Second Pick: Soderberg Trail/Blue Sky Trail
“It’s a fun new trail.”
Rating: Beginning/Intermediate
Description: The Blue Sky Trail connects the Devil’s Backbone Open Space to Horsetooth Mountain Park. Midway along the trail, there is access to the Coyote Ridge/Rimrock open space areas to the east, and the Indian Summer trail to the west.
Third Pick: Mill Creek Trail
“Mill Creek Trail is always fun! It’s a good ride up Horsetooth.”
Rating: Intermediate/ Advanced
Description: Mill Creek Trail offers challenging terrain that is sometimes rocky, sometimes rolling and sometimes steep climbs.
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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