Comments on: Four Trails for Avoiding the Crowds in Fruita

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:06:35 +0000

Never fear @Bubblehead, there are always people out on the trails! Give a shout if you ever need a guide

By: Bubblehead10MM

Bubblehead10MM — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:39:55 +0000

I just can’t wait to ride in the area, that may take some doing for me. I think I’ll want people around though, I’m not up to going alone to far from civilization.

By: rcraft6826

rcraft6826 — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:33:00 +0000

I definitely feel thankful for living just a few short hours away from this awesome mountain biking oasis!!

By: Danno#1

Danno#1 — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:37:43 +0000

Fruita is a definite destination hot spot. Some of the best high desert riding you can find.
Here is a vid edit of 18 Road trails I put together from Sept. last year -http://www.pinkbike.com/video/223999/

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:44:09 +0000

@stillfat, cool thanks for the beta. I can’t wait to check it out!

By: stillfat

stillfat — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:32:27 +0000

If you really want to lose the crowds in Fruita, just wait ’til June and you’ll have the place to yourself. There’s a pretty nice window between the Spring crowds and really hot weather to take advantage of. Even if you go mid summer, you can always bang out a bunch of biking before 10am and you’ll be just fine. Or, follow the advice in the initial post – I rode the Western Rim at the end of March when 18 Rd. was a zoo and didn’t see a soul. As for a half-day on 18 Rd., I’d say four hours would be enough to spin wheels on most of the good stuff – the trails aren’t long save the Edge Loop, etc.

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:02:58 +0000

Thanks @skibum! We’ll definitely check it out.

By: skibum

skibum — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:59:00 +0000

mtbikerchick,
I thought Westwater Mesa was great. It feels (and is) very remote and, off-weekend, you’re truly on your own, so it’s a good place to be self-sufficient (lots of water, energy food, tools/tubes and the expertise to use them required). It does have lots of sandy spots that can be an energy drain, but the really cool ST portions more than make up for it. Given its remoteness and the sand, it does tend to feel longer than it is and you thing you’re rounding the last corner before the trailhead about four times before you actually are. There’s a couple excellent photo ops along the way (like getting a pic of someone riding over a natural arch) There’s also a couple spots where route findng can be an issue if you’re not paying attention.

Bottom line, it doesn’t have the same “fun around every bend” feel that Kessel, HC, or Horsethief does, but it’s still a very rewarding ride if you’re reasonably fit and have an adventurous spirit. I couldn’t imagine spending a lot of time in Fruita and not adding it to my riding resume.

By: skibum

skibum — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:52:55 +0000

mtbikerchick,
Thanks for catching my carelessness before anybody got steered wrong–I meant Loma of course.

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:24:28 +0000

@maddslacker & mtbikerchick, working on it… just one year to go!

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:21:49 +0000

Moore fun is at Loma, not 18 road, but I agree, those are excellent choices! Moore fun is a little too techy for me but I know there are people who enjoy it. I’ve been wanting to try Westwater Mesa…how is it?

By: skibum

skibum — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:05:01 +0000

Very helpful article–you hit one option in each of the four main riding areas that surround singletrack Mecca. Thanks for sharing some quality local info.

I would add the following:

For the Rabbit Valley Area, Westwater Mesa is comparable to Western Rim and provides yet another option. There will be a few motos on weekends, but you can do 20+miles on a weekday and never see another soul.

For the Lunch Loops Area–it’s worth throwing in a road ride or shuttle to the top of the Ribbon trail to start your day. The Ribbon is unique, fun and challenging and should be doen at least once. My favorite route is down The Ribbon to Andy’s or Eagles, back up Pet-e-Kes to Holy Cross (the best!) and a finish on Miramonte to Kurt’s.

For the 18 Road area, if you’re a little tight on time or don’t want to fight the crowds or take the dirt road to get out to Mack Ridge, Moore Fun is also less crowded and immediately accessible. However, this is only a good option if you like lots of low-speed techy maneuvering.

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:32:38 +0000

@mtbgreg – Ditto @maddslacker! Or hey, at least when you come to town look us up so we can take you to the Hot Tomato

By: maddslacker

maddslacker — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:29:18 +0000

@mtbgreg, you could just move here.

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:55:13 +0000

Wow. I was hoping to spend a half a day in Fruita riding 18 road on my way to California, but it sounds like even if I spend a full day I won’t even be able to ride all that 18 road has to offer, much less everything else in the area!

I’m going to be sad to skip over these trails guess that means I need to start planning for a visit NEXT summer

Great read!

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:08:47 +0000

There are SO many trails! Between the 18 road additions this year, Loma, and the ever-expanding Lunch Loop you can ride for a month without riding the same loop twice!

By: trek7k

trek7k — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:07:09 +0000

I haven’t ridden Fruita in years – sounds like there’s twice as much singletrack as the last time I visited! If it’s not too hot I may just have to get over to Fruita while we’re in Colorado this summer…