From Salida to Leadville, the Arkansas Valley is one of the best cycling destinations in the United States. For proof, just look at the growing number of world class tours and races held here each year. Some events, such as the Quizno’s Pro Challenge, the Salida Omnium, the Chalk Creek Stampede, the Colorado Trail Race, and the Leadville Trail 100, offer spectators a chance to cheer for their favorite local riders as they compete alongside some of the world’s best professional cyclists. Other events, such as the Buena Vista Bike Festival, Ride the Rockies, the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, the Courage Classic, and the Leadville Silver Rush 50 annually draw thousands of cyclists to our valley every summer.
With terrain ranging from single-track trails to pump tracks to dedicated non-motorized paths, you’ll find the mountain biking options are nearly limitless. There are so many choices, your toughest decision may be deciding which trail to try first. Why not start with something close to home?
To meet the demand for mountain biking trails within easy pedaling distance from town, local volunteer groups took the initiative in recent years to create some very exciting cycling additions to the Arkansas Valley.
It doesn’t matter whether your ideal bike is a feather-weight road bike, a townie cruiser, or a fat-tire mountain bike, just get out there and ride!
Salida Area Trails
Designed, built, and maintained by Salida Mountain Trails, the Arkansas Hills Trails offer riders of all levels a place to get dirty close to town. Starting at the trailhead at the gate on Spiral Drive, this trail system winds around Tenderfoot Hill and provides several exciting routes back to the parking area at the north end of F Street. Beginners may want to try Lil’ Rattler or Frontside while experts will delight in the tight twists and sudden drops of Sand Dunes and Uncle Nazty. In the future, look for exciting additions to the trails at the base of Methodist Mountain south of town. The area experts at Absolute Bikes will give you all the information you need to plan your rides.
Buena Vista Area Trails
Ark Valley Velo has big plans in the works to expand the existing trail system accessed from the Buena Vista River Park. While the Midland, North Loop, Broken Boyfriend, Spaghetti Western, and Midland Stage trails already offer riders a wealth of riding circuits, planned extensions will circumnavigate Midland Hill and provide true, off-road alternatives to the existing Midland Trail. Stop by Trailhead Cycle and Ski to learn about latest developments and to get up-to-date books and maps.
Leadville Area Trails
Starting from the Leadville campus of Colorado Mountain College, The Lake County Singletrack trail system gives Leadville fat tire enthusiasts a local place to put their meddle to the pedal. Summer 2010 was an active year for volunteers from the Cloud City Wheelers. Despite their relatively short dry season, they cut and opened an amazing amount of trail, including Wheelers Way, Old Chub, and Upper Deck. Then they re-routed and restored the existing Boulders and Elk Run routes. And, if that wasn’t enough, they even built a trailside observation deck overlooking the northern Valley and Mt. Elbrus. Plans for 2011 include a new “slope-style” trail with wooden jump platforms and other exciting features. Cycles of Life bicycle shop on Harrison Avenue is the best place to learn more about these trails.
