REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Visiting Ft. Collins this summer

593 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by jake7, Jan 12, 2010

ahippler

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2010

Wondering if any locals could help me?Let me first start out with I am a beginner to intermediate skilled rider. More towards the beginner then the intermediate. I will be visiting the Ft. Collins area during the week after July 4th. I would like to hit a trail or two in the area. Also might be going out to the Steamboat Springs area for a day or two. What trail/trails would best suite me? I am used to riding tight single track here in central Indiana. The trail I ride here doesn't have to much elevation changes and a few rooty and rocky sections but nothing you would have to dismount for.I am not against stream crossings or climbing or descending or even a small technical area. I just don't want to ride a trail I get frustrated on cause I don't have the skills necessary for that particular trail. I have looked at many sites that have trail reviews for this area and for the same trail some people classify them as easy and some classify them as advanced.I want to see what this area of Colorado has to offer as far as trails go but I don't want to end up killing myself .Any help would be appreciated. Also flying out there so any ideas on MTB rental in the area would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

jradin

· #2 · Jan 11, 2010 (Edited)

Full Cycle in Old Town rents full squish Giants.

Good beginner/intermediate trails in July:
Hewlett and Young Gulch (up the Poudre Canyon)

Most other beginner/inter local rides will be hot and exposed in July. Ride any of the following early or late in the day:
Coyote Ridge (a little tech and climbing)
Devils Backbone (more tech then Coyote, but you'll ride most of it and the tech sections are fun to session)
Indian Summer (not technical at all - nice climb and descent)
Blue Sky (not technical at all - very little climbing)
Lory State Park - Valley and Kimmons trails. Ascending the mountain (via Howard/Timber) gets into more advanced riding, but also some shade.
Horsetooth Mountain Park - Intermediate to Advanced in general, especially if you're not acclamated to the altitude. Also has shade.
Bobcat Ridge Valley Trail. Riding up Powerline or Ginney is intermediate/advanced.

See less See more

Save

DanD

· #3 · Jan 11, 2010

ahippler said:
Wondering if any locals could help me?Let me first start out with I am a beginner to intermediate skilled rider. More towards the beginner then the intermediate. I will be visiting the Ft. Collins area during the week after July 4th. I would like to hit a trail or two in the area. Also might be going out to the Steamboat Springs area for a day or two. What trail/trails would best suite me? I am used to riding tight single track here in central Indiana. The trail I ride here doesn't have to much elevation changes and a few rooty and rocky sections but nothing you would have to dismount for.I am not against stream crossings or climbing or descending or even a small technical area. I just don't want to ride a trail I get frustrated on cause I don't have the skills necessary for that particular trail. I have looked at many sites that have trail reviews for this area and for the same trail some people classify them as easy and some classify them as advanced.I want to see what this area of Colorado has to offer as far as trails go but I don't want to end up killing myself .Any help would be appreciated. Also flying out there so any ideas on MTB rental in the area would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam

We should have some demos available at The Cycologist for you to play on. To add to jradin's trail suggestions I think someone at the beginner to intermediate level would have an absolute blast at the new Soapstone open space north of town. Very little tech, some climbing, beautiful views and the trails are simply fun. Post up again when the time comes if you want any company for a ride.

Save

ahippler

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 12, 2010

Excellent info !! I knew I could count on the mtbr.com community to help me out. I can't wait to get out there and ride. I will post closer to the time to see if anything has changed as far as trails go and riding conditions. Thanks again !!!

Save

jake7

· #5 · Jan 12, 2010

ahippler -
good news ... you've got plenty of time between now and July to hone those skillz!
Couple of things to mull over:
1. Altitude: Fit is fit - don't let CO's elevation get in your head.
2. Tech: if at first you don't succeed ... you get the point. Try what you're semi/comfortable with and don't be afraid to RETRY it. I'll let you in on a secret- sessioning a tech section is a great way to beat it AND a great way to catch your breath at the same time

many times have I used the "I want to try that again" line to have a better go at a tech section when I've just been too tired from the climb leading up to it... only to clean it!
3. It's CO ... have a great time and please don't miss out on the great local micro-breweries you'll have a chance to experience first-hand at O'dells
http://odellbrewing.com/home
or at New Belgium http://www.newbelgium.com/

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month