Beginner-friendly alpine singletrack in Colorado

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    • #221456

      I’m taking my non-mountain biking wife out to Colorado mid-September and she wants in on a high-alpine singletrack experience.  I got her a full-suspension fat bike with a plush seat which will go a long ways towards making her happy, but I’m having trouble finding 5-10 miles of easy singletrack in the mountains.  I need either a one-way gradual descent that I can shuttle for her or a pretty flat loop.

      So far the best I could find was going downhill on the Colorado Trail from Georgia Pass to Beaver Ponds parking lot, then I shuttle back up Jefferson Trail and get the car and bring it back down to Beaver Ponds parking lot.  Is the terrain on this stretch ok and are the views going to be worth it?

    • #221505

      Well you definitely have the right bike for her to start out on, I always recommend new riders start out on plus or fat bikes.  Consider taking her to one of the many ski resorts that have lifts to bike trails in the summer.  Not only does this eliminate the drudgery of climbing, but many also offer mountain bike lessons from instructors.  I had my wife take one of these 3 years ago and it was worth it.  Teaching your loved one to mountain bike, drive a car, or any other task is usually best from a 3rd party.  Good luck and have fun.

    • #221582

      I would HIGHLY recommend Crested Butte, CO.  For one, great town to visit, park the car and ride all you want.  The lower loops out past Peanut Lake (rideable right from town) are IMO the BEST beginner/intermediate trails I have ever been on.  They are a blast to ride and the views are spectacular!  Even though I ride all levels of trail, anytime I’m in CB I still hit these because they are just that great.  There is also the infamous Trail 401 which is easily one the most jaw dropping beautiful high alpine trails anyone can do.  It’s not technical, a few tight switch backs, but the climb up can be a lung buster.  You can drive or shuttle to the trail head which would save some huffing and puffing up Gothic Road.  There is also Elevation Park on Mt. Crested Butte which has all levels of trails and lift service (double check if they still run the lift past Labor Day).  Otherwise there are still countless classic alpine trails of every level near CB.  You can’t go wrong with CB!

      • #221583

        Thanks for starting this thread. I was just about to post the same question about my wife and about Crested Butte. We’ll be there in a week.

        Thanks to MCTolen for all the CB suggestions. Seems like I have my answers without even trying!

        Cheers!!!

         

    • #221774

      Crested Butte?  Try taking the bus up to Mt Crested Butte and riding one or two of the trails back down to town.  Upper Loop to Upper Upper.  Free city up and fun ride down through Aspens.  Snodgrass is also a nice trail.  Lupine & Lower Loop is also fun.

      Not Crested Butte?  in Breck, I like to ride the Peaks Trail from Breck to Frisco.  It’s a hiking/mtb multi use trail.  Start at 9900 in Breck and go to 9100 in Frisco.  Stop for an iced coffee, take the free summit stage bus back to Breck.  Fun, fast singletrack that’s not too technical (some root gardens but there are some decent bypasses.)  Most of the climbing is early (there’s not much but a little bit) there are some awesome views and you get a full mountain experience but it’s not crazy.

      While not a mountain bike ride, if you’re looking for more fun, the shuttle up Vail Pass and riding down to Frisco is awesome.  I’ve taken tons of non-riding and hardcore riding friends alike (including my parents) and they all love it.

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