Latest mountain bike news

A narrow dirt path surrounded by lush green trees, leading through a wooded area. The sunlight filters through the foliage, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
  4
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  2
A narrow dirt path winding through a lush green forest, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and small rocks, creating a natural, serene atmosphere.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
A winding dirt path surrounded by green grass and forested hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A person is biking along the trail, which forks in the distance.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
A modern bicycle featuring a unique bamboo frame design with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The bike has two black wheels, white spokes, and is equipped with green handles. It is positioned on a reflective surface, emphasizing its contemporary style.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  6
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  2
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
A scenic view of rolling green hills leading to a mountain range under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. A narrow winding trail cuts through the grassy landscape, surrounded by clusters of trees and wildflowers.
  4
A CD case for Magellan's MapSend Topo 3D software, featuring a colorful design with a map preview in the bottom right corner, and text indicating compatibility with various Magellan GPS receivers. The top section includes the Magellan logo and the title "MapSend Topo 3D."
A promotional poster for "On the Road to Athens," featuring a cyclist wearing a helmet and focused on riding, with a background of an American flag. The design includes text highlighting the event and sponsors.
A close-up view of a speedometer displaying speed in miles per hour (MPH) and kilometers per hour (km/h), with a red and white illuminated design.
  3
Logo for Singletracks, featuring a stylized mountain graphic above the word "singletracks" with the tagline "bike the net" below.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
Book cover titled "Mountain Biking Georgia" by Alex Nutt, featuring a scenic trail with two mountain bikers riding through a wooded area. The design includes bold text and is likely aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
A collection of silver rings with textured designs, displayed against a dark background.
  2
Screenshot of the Garmin Training Center application showing a training activity. The display includes a map with a highlighted route represented by yellow dots around a lake, along with performance data such as elapsed time, distance, average speed, calories burned, and heart rate statistics. The bottom section features a graph comparing elevation and heart rate over distance.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  1
A close-up view of a bicycle's handlebars featuring a GPS device mounted on top. The handlebars are silver, and the background shows a grassy area. The GPS device has a black top and a gray base, indicating its operational features.
  1
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
A person holding a damaged bicycle helmet, looking intently at the camera. The helmet is cracked and shows signs of significant impact, emphasizing the importance of safety gear in cycling.
A bicycle attached to a bicycle repair stand, featuring labeled parts including the back wheel, front wheel, and various components of the bike and stand. The stand is red and positioned against a stone edge in a park setting.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
<strong>Question</strong>: When is a dirt road a mountain bike trail?
<strong>Answer</strong>: Sometimes.
<p align="center"><img id="image347" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/1094949627.jpg" alt="1094949627.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center">Is this a mountain bike trail?</p>

Okay, so when someone says "mountain bike trail" you probably don't imagine a wide dusty dirt road or a paved greenway path through the city. But if you think about it, these "trails" might just deserve a mention on mountain bike websites like singletracks.

For starters, greenways and fire roads are often good starting places for beginning mountain bikers who either aren't ready for dirt or don't have the balance to negotiate narrow singletrack. I've recommended "trails" like these to many friends - including rides like the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=628">Duke Forest</a> or the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1103">American Tobacco</a> trail. Sure, you can ride a road bike on the Tobacco trail but you can't drive a car (or any other motorized vehicle for that matter) and in my mind that kinda makes it a bike trail.

Similarly, if you can't ride a road bike on a path because it's unpaved then it's pretty safe to call it a mountain bike path. <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=13">Gold Camp Road</a> (the unpaved part) fits this requirement, plus it's closed to cars (though motorized dirt bikes do use this area).

If you've ever flipped through a FalconGuide to mountain biking (like the Colorado Springs edition) you'll notice they list plenty of rides that are 100% gravel road rides. The Mountain Biking Colorado Springs book even includes a ride called "Skyline Drive" near Canyon City that is on completely paved and ungated roads (including a nice stretch of US 50). Not that a mention in a book makes it a "real" mountain bike ride, just shows you how liberal you can be with the designation.

So where do you draw the line? Singletrack only? Some doubletrack okay? How about fire roads? In the end it doesn't really matter - it turns out that a mountain bike trail is anywhere you ride your mountain bike that you think is worth sharing with other riders. It's also what singletracks is all about.
  4
Exterior of a Trek Bicycle Store, featuring a brick façade, green awnings, and large windows displaying bicycles. A parked car with a bike rack loaded with bicycles is in the foreground, and parking lines are visible in the lot.
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