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Vail Valley biking hook-ups
- by fcarman
- -
- January 06, 2009
(4)
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Mountain and road biking in the Vail Valley
Skinny tire routes
Some of the most popular road cycling routes for skinny tires in the Valley are on roads with little to no shoulder. Highway 6, which runs from Eagle-Vail to Gypsum, is an enjoyable ride, gradual downhill to Gypsum and gradual uphill back, for those who don’t mind sharing a lane with vehicular traffic. Fit riders will thrill in a 100-mile loop made by starting on Hwy 6 in Avon, heading west, and
turning right onto Highway 131 at Wolcott. This highway isn’t nearly so
frequented as Hwy 6, and begins with some significant climbing. This
section is followed by a fast flat through sagebrush and valley scenery
past 4 Eagle Ranch, more climbing, a steep descent full of curves
beyond State Bridge and Bond, and another beautiful climb through walls
of rock. Turn left onto Colorado River Road, a smooth dirt road
suitable for a road bike with little car traffic that parallels the
Colorado River. Another gradual climb will meet riders at the final
segment of the loop, which then rejoins Hwy 6 at Dotsero.
Fat tire trails
Having a shuttle system of two cars is sometimes
the way to go for those who don’t bike regularly and who are
unaccustomed to the altitude. The best shuttle ride around for beginner
to intermediate mountain bikers is on Shrine Pass Road. The route is a
well-maintained dirt road that begins at the parking lot/rest area at
exit 190 off Interstate 70 at the top of Vail Pass. The 12-mile ride
begins with about a 2-mile climb (not too strenuous a grade, except
that the elevation starts around 10,000 feet, which is hard on the
lungs, especially for flat-landers). Stay on the main drag, and the
road begins to descend after about two miles, ending at the small,
scenic town of Red Cliff. For those who don’t care to turn around and
ride back to the Vail Pass parking lot, park a car in Red Cliff before
the ride.
Lifts
A popular option for riders who don’t
like to go uphill is at both Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas. The least
taxing option by which to propel a bike uphill is placing it on a chair
lift or gondola. A day lift ticket for hauling bikes costs $30 at Vail
($23 for children 5-12) and $23 at Beaver Creek, with other deals for
bike rentals and multi-day tickets. Both mountains have numerous
singletrack trails for the downhill trip, all marked for their level of
difficulty. Be aware that the ratings — green, blue and black — are NOT
comparable to ski trails of the same color. Green trails are tricky but
fun, blues are for advanced mountain bikers and blacks-double blacks
are full of rock drops and high-tech features, designed specifically
for experienced downhill bikers. Summertime maps of both resorts are
available at base area ticket offices.
Routes for fit riders
It’s
always more satisfying to ride down the mountain — Vail, Beaver Creek,
any mountain, really — after riding up first. The green singletracks
are the most fulfilling way to ride up the ski areas, but the service
roads are more manageable (and will require their fair share of
fitness, too). Be aware that trails in Vail’s Back Bowls, Blue Sky
Basin and Two Elk Trail are closed until July 1 for wildlife calving
and migration.
For those who don’t mind a good climb, the
possibilities are numerous in the valley. The North Trail system in
Vail is open for the summer, with trailheads off Red Sandstone Road or
Davos, and can also be accessed from the trailhead at Buffehr Creek.
The trail system is made up exclusively of singletrack with plenty of
sharp switchbacks and the occasional cluster of rocks. It winds up,
over and down the peaks facing Vail Mountain on the north side of I-70,
hauling riders (who are often using the small chain ring) up along
ridges overlooking Vail, then plunging them down through shadowy
forests and greenery.
Some milder (shorter with less uphill)
single and doubletracks can be found in Eagle off of Fourth of July
Road and adjacent to Brush Creek Elementary School, which are a cozy
choice in the fall once temperatures upvalley begin to cool down.
Local favorites
Not a chance…if I told you, I would have to kill you :)
Need a tune-up?
Don’t be fooled by the other shops in the Vail Valley. Moontime knows how to dial in a bike. I own a Santa Cruz Superlight and a Felt F1c. Unlike the egos at Pedal Power (in Avon) and crappy service found at Kind Cyclist (in Edwards) Moontime does it right the first time.
Pedal Power thinks their Gods gift to cycling and Kind Cyclist cannot tune a bike worth a damn…they wrecked my front derailer. I brought it back twice and they still couldn’t get it right.
Save your self the trouble and headaches let Moontime do the work.
Route 6 Cafe
41310 Us Highway 6 & 24, Avon, CO 81620
The best breakfast in town.
The best breakfast in town.
Gore Range Brewery
105 Edwards Village Blvd, Edwards, CO 81632
Best burger and beer in the valley
Best burger and beer in the valley
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.jpg "leigh")
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Very cool, very informative. I added a link to this in one of my guides!
.jpg "brianp")
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Nice! I need some more spots to take my new bike. Thanks for the hints, and of course I’m going to try to wrestle the local spots out of you.
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