Mountain biking is vogue in Colorado. And it should be. Colorado was made for mountain bikes. Its terrain throughout the state is varied, from the plains in the east to rolling hills to mountains and on to the mesas and plateaus of the western side of the state. Everywhere you go in Colorado you'll find some of the best mountain biking trails in the country.
Two of the state's areas have been in a constant battle for the title of "Mountain Bike Capital, USA". Crested Butte competes with Winter Park for this title. If you're highly skilled on your mountain bike, you should try Trail 401, a strenuous single-track loop that combines scenic beauty of the Crested Butte area with steep grades and rough, mountainous terrain.
Other mountain bikers consider Tipperary Creek Trail to be Colorado's very best mountain-biking trail. This is a 30-mile ride from Fraser to Winter Park running through dense forest and wildflower-covered meadows. The beauty of this area offers bikers views of rugged snowcapped peaks. It's also a strenuous trek and shouldn't be taken lightly, rising from an 8,600-foot elevation to more than 10,000 feet.
Durango is known as a mountain bike mecca of Colorado and the nation. Durango Mountain Resort provides over 50 miles of lift-accessed trails, giving bikers everything from gentle cruisers to screaming downhill runs. But just about any winter ski area in Colorado turns into a summer biking retreat. Mountain biking trails abound for your enjoyment. You'll find that Aspen, Vail, Steamboat, Wolf Creek, Summit County, and Telluride all provide bikers with well maintained trails in the summer.
Listing the biking trails found in Colorado would take a large book. I would suggest that you get on the internet and find out what's available to you in the areas you plan to visit. The nice thing about mountain biking while on your vacation is that, unlike leisure biking trips which can take several days, mountain biking trips typically only last for one, two, or three days at most. In Colorado, you will find that there are also guided mountain biking tours that cater specifically to women, and those that cater to families with children.
Bike trails are the extreme mountain bike sport in Colorado for the vacationer. This is cycling action where you can navigate through unimaginable rough terrains without even letting your feet have the slightest ground contact. The riders doing bike trails made for the public in Colorado should know how to balance their bikes on rails, boulders, posts, tree stumps and a variety of other dangerous obstacles.
You never know what kind of trouble you may run into out on the bike trails in Colorado. You should be prepared for any and every emergency that may come along while you're on your trek. One rule of thumb is to pack more equipment and supplies for the farther away from help you plan to be. No matter what level of mountain biking you're attempting in a day, there are several must-have considerations to take with you on your bike trip.
Everyone who mountain bikes in Colorado should remember to take along a first aid kit. There are several first aid kits that are designed specifically for mountain bikers and can fit easily under your seat, in saddlebags, or in a small pack. Make sure that your kit includes the essentials, such as, tensor bandages, bandages, band-aids, antiseptic, moleskin, and any medications you may need.
A small tool kit is also a necessity to bring along on your Colorado mountain biking trip. There are a wide variety of tool kits available to bikers, choose your tools according to your trip and your basic needs. These kits will also fit easily under your seat or in saddlebags. Basic tool kits should include necessary repair items in case of a flat tire. You should always include a tire iron, and a patch kit. You may also want to make room for a tube. Your tool kit should also have an Allan key or small wrench for any minor hardware repairs and a bike chain breaker. You should also include some paper towels or a piece of cloth, a tire gauge, a Swiss army knife. Do the Red Green thing and bring the duct tape or electrical tape.
Remember to bring along a small tire pump for your Colorado mountain biking trip. You can get tire pumps in almost any size, and they can come with convenient mounts to fasten them on your bike. Smaller tire pumps can fit almost anywhere, under the seat or in saddlebags. Many deluxe bike repair kits will also include a small pump.
Finally, remember to bring along a spare chain. Even experienced mountain bikers know how easy it is to break a chain on the trail. There is hardly a more vital piece on your bike that might keep you from being stranded in the Colorado wilderness. A broken chain that can't be repaired will cause problems regardless of where you are biking. None of this equipment should add much extra weight. Being properly prepared for your Colorado mountain biking excursion will surely take a load off your mind in the event of an emergency.
For more information on becoming a top Colorado Mountain Biker see How to Master Mountain Biking
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