[jamespearl]

I'm sure this is a very generic thread type, and I know I will probably get flamed for this, but I'm going for it anyway.

My girlfriend and I are heading out in yo area for a week for some sightseeing, being a tourist in Boulder/Denver, and to get some riding in. We are from New Jersey so instead of shipping our single speed bikes, we are planning on renting them at a local shop. I know from experience that googling and reading trail reviews isn't going to help much, that is why I'm here to bother you.

1) Biggest concern; My girlfriend is 4'11. She rides a XS Specialized and it fits her like a glove. Does anyone carry Specialized or know of a shop that can make something work? Where would YOU rent a bike in Breck/Denver area?

2) Must hit day trip trails? Enjoy mostly flowy swoopy singletrack, 15-20 mile loops would be fun.

3) Must-do things you would prefer.

Flame on.

 

[JOEMTBR COLORADO]

One more question

What month are you heading out, important for trail suggestions?

 

[ethan303]

Great question! I was begining to think this was a joke.

 

[jamespearl]

Woops, May 22- 29.

 

[lubes17319]

Swoopy, flowy & end of May = Buffalo Creek

Assuming you're in Denver & not Breckenridge.

 

[MtbRN]

Isn't that still "Mud Season" in Summit County?

Most of the ski resorts don't close until mid-April. I would expect there to be plenty of wet trails in the Breckenridge area in late May. Winter Park runs it's hill climb race in mid-June and there are still snow drifts on the trails.

You might be better off looking to rent road bikes. The ride over Vail Pass would be plenty challenging, and a memorable trip, for a visitor from Joisy

If you want mountain biking, lower elevation would probably be a better bet. Buffalo Creek is worth a drive and is maybe a little over an hour from Breckenridge.

 

[jamespearl]

Thought about the road bike piece as well, but worried that her size is going to be a problem when trying to rent just about anything. Can anyone point me in a direction for a good place to rent? All the places I've found online seem to let me down.

We mostly came to check out the Boulder and the surrounding area, just have a deal in a place in Breckenridge, So we dont mind driving an hour to ride somewhere.

 

[Shrederland]

may will be questionable in breck. most of the front range should be good, or fruita.

also you may want to acclimatize to the altitude in the denver/boulder area.

 

[MarcD]

How about in Golden- the shop I rented from (golden bikes?) was great and there are a lot of trails in that area

 

[zrm]

Even if this lackluster snow pattern continues, only low elevation riding - which can isn't bad, but it's only a small sample of what's avaialable - will be available in Breckenridge/Summit in that time frame. You'll need to head to the low lands to get good quality longer rides in.

Areas within 1.5 hour drive of Breck that have good spring riding:
Buena Vista/Salida
Buff Creek
Eagle (to a lesser extent, Vail)
Front range open space trail system (If you can take the bickering about who's a douche and who's not )
Some of the stuff to the south of Leadville like turquoise lake.

Don't know anyone in Summit who rents SS.

 

[jamespearl]

Don't need a singlespeed, and dont mind the lower elevation rides

Thanks for all the tips, hopefully some of the bike shops I've contacted can get back to me about finding a bike for the lady

 

[surfsled]

Well I live in Breck and the way the snow is this year... trails may be ready by May.
There are a bunch of bike shops in Breck. Colorado Freeride has a a good selection of rentals and Avalanche Sports guys are super cool.. just give both shops a call. Not sure what time of the month in May that they start putting out the bikes for rentals, but I can recall usually sometime in May after they plow the bike path that goes around Lake Dillon.
You are usually able to (mt.bike) ride the Frisco Penisula by May but the loops aren't very long and it gets boring after a few.. but yeah Buffalo Creek is the place to go that time :thumbsup: I also go to Green Mtn and Red Rocks (Matthew Winters) that time of year near the foothills of Denver.

Must things to do: hmmm well depends on what interests you besides biking. There are alot of good watering holes in Breck for post rides. Hit me up if you need some guidance.

 

[Ithnu]

Have you ever been at a high (9,000+) altitude before? Everyone feels the affects differently regardless of physical fitness. I would advise against anything strenuous in Summit County until you know how you'll react.

 

[keylay]

Have you ever been at a high (9,000+) altitude before? Everyone feels the affects differently regardless of physical fitness. I would advise against anything strenuous in Summit County until you know how you'll react.

Ain't that the truth Two beers at the Pub in Winter Park and a ride on my bike back to the Best Western motel...I was ALL over the road, sidewalk and curb. Maybe not that bad, but it was noticable.

Have fun on your trip OP.

 

[jamespearl]

I'm sure the altitude will effect us, highest points ive been are in Vermont

We were going to stick to the low lying areas for riding for that very reason, maybe hike in Summit?

 

[smilinsteve]

Have you ever been at a high (9,000+) altitude before? Everyone feels the affects differently regardless of physical fitness. I would advise against anything strenuous in Summit County until you know how you'll react.

Good point. My daughter just had some friends come visit from Tucson and we took them to Winter Park skiing. One, who seemed fine during the day, got home and puked all night long.
We found out he had altitude sickness on a trip to CO a few years earlier as well.
Some people are just sensitive to it.
Read up on the basic guidelines for preventing it....
give yourself time to adjust, drink lots of water, etc.

 

[Ithnu]

A lot of us here in CO forget that we live at 5 or 6,000 feet. But coming from sea level can be a big shock. I have friends from WI that come out every year, they're all very fit, and one of the guys still got altitude sickness once. We were snowboarding, hiking over 12,000 feet all day and he got a really bad headache and a bit of a nausea.

Most forms of mild altitude sickness (light headed, mild nausea) will wear off after about a day. Drink enough water and get enough sleep.

Take a day or two in Denver as a bit of a stepping stone if you are eying up trails in the mountains. Buffalo Creek is a 45 minute drive from Denver and it has lots of loop options. Keep its a few thousand feet higher in elevation than Denver.

http://forums.mtbr.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=6514453

Here's a link to Jefferson County trails closer to Denver. http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R108.htm

 

[Lelandjt]

It's guaranteed that there will be no offroad riding in Breckenridge in May. There is always enough late season snow to keep things muddy and snowy then.

 

[smilinsteve]

It's guaranteed that there will be no offroad riding in Breckenridge in May. There is always enough late season snow to keep things muddy and snowy then.

What about Boreas Pass?
It's a dirt road, but excellent high altitude scenery, good climbing, and probably no cars.

 

[zrm]

What about Boreas Pass?
It's a dirt road, but excellent high altitude scenery, good climbing, and probably no cars.

Depending on the year there are usually quite a few trails that you can ride in Summit Co, just not the high ones. Flumes, Blue River, Minnie Mine/X10U8, Frisco Nordic Center, Blair Witch, etc. It's almost certain that none of the higher elevation stuff will be open, but usually by mid May, the lower stuff is starting to be ridable. Just always practice good trail ethics.

All that said, The area around Breckenridge doesn't hit it's prime till late June usually, but there is usually some good riding earlier.

Boreas Pass is usually open to car traffic by Memorial day depending on snow. After thay open the gate you can expect to see cars.It is, probably the easiest dirt road ride in the area but it's not what I'd call pristine mountian biking.