Might be visiting Denver

Tom Church said:

Probably coming out there this summer to visit a friend who dosen't really ride but I can't pass up riding out there. I'd like to hit up some good fast singletrack but I also really dig stunts jumps and downhill. I'll have 2 bikes with me, 5" Trail bike and my Downhill bike. Definatly would like to hit some lift runs.

Any recomendations not to far from denver?

Thanks
Tom

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Apex is great...and include the Enchanted Forest loop while you're at it. Also really good is the Colorado Trail when you pick it up from Waterton Canyon. It's a bore getting to it (I think it's about 7 miles up a dirt road), but it's worth it once you hook up on it. Mount Falcon's a good uphill grind, but it's kinda boring coming back down. Also good is Bergen Peak (sp?), up in Evergreen.

Never did any lift runs, but I'd bet Winter Park is pretty good. And, there are also a lot of good "regular" riding near there, too.

Best Lift serviced stuff is Keystone. @ 2 hrs drive.

Closest/best stuff to Denver is Dakota Ridge/Matthews Winters, and Apex. IMHO. Take the trail bike to these, n take the tank up to Keystone.

run of the mill classics

The trails mentioned are classic front range rides. If possible, ride at off-times to miss the crowds. There's 150 miles of Open Space trails in the front range alone. But if you really want a taste of sweet single-track, best bet to hook up with some locals who can lead you off into some more obsure gems --> XC and DH.

But don't under-estimate the attitude change. Most out-of-staters complain.