Here is a great post from our very own coach Brie. We call her the “Gear Guru” because she knows her stuff. If you are in the market for your first mountain bike, going the used bike route can be the best option to really learn what works for you without the expense of investing in a new bike with all the “bells and whistles”.
It can be intimidating walking into a bike store, only be to shown $5000 bikes. Seriously….you could buy a car for that! Good news, you don’t NEED to purchase a $5K bike to get a good bike and get out and enjoy some trails.
As we wrap up our first Beginner Mountain Bike Course for Womennow is a good time to recap some of our rides from the clinic and offer some additional beginner routes that are fun to check out. Thanks to our partner Switchback Chics of Colorado for putting together this great list!
South Table Mountain – 4.9 mile green route – Fossil Trail to Old Quarry Trail to Basalt Cap Loop
This is a great beginner ride! Park at the trail head off South Golden Road for a nice easy single track green hill with very few obstacles and little elevation gain. There are only a couple switchbacks and they are nice and wide to help you practice your turns. Once you get to the top of South Table the trail opens up into a great double track that is very flat. Rocks are few and far between, but offer just enough for you to practice on! If you choose to take the Basalt Cap Loop just once you will get a great 5 mile ride in. Do the loop several times to extend your ride and focus on your sighting, shifting and braking skills. Just be aware, South Table is known for it’s rattlesnakes! They love to get sun drunk on the wide open paths, so keep your eyes open and give them their space. For more tips on what to do if you see a snake, read the this article.
It’s been a hot week here in Colorado. With temperatures topping out over 100 degrees, many forgo their outdoor training and recreational activities. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite places to hike, run, ride and paddle to beat the heat this summer so you can head out into the great outdoors without overheating. Please share yours too in the comment section below.
Hike, run and ride:
Deer Creek Canyon Park Lakewood The trails in this park are diverse, challenging and rewarding. From the lot/trailhead, take the Plymouth Creek trail to the Plymouth Mnt trail around to the Scenic View trail lookout for a tough 6 mile out and back route. For most of the route you will be in rich pine forests.
Windy Saddle Park: Morrison Park at the Lookout Mountain Nature center and take the Lookout Mountain trail to the Beaver Brook trail. This trail boasts 9 miles (one way) of exciting terrain including aspen groves, open fields, thick forests and some rocky scramble sections. The higher elevation offers cooler mountain air for an exceptional long run or hike (no bikes allowed).
Getting through a rocky section at Lair o’ the Bear park.
Lair o’ the Bear Park Morrison From the lot/main trailhead, take the Bear Creek trail. The first 1.5 miles is a wide, flat dirt path along the creek and then you begin to climb on single track into a thick pine forest. The entire trail is 6.2 miles one way and is shaded most of the time. This is a beautiful trail system close to town that provides an opportunity for a great long run, hike or ride!
