Bike Guide

Bike Town USA ®

2016 Bike Guide SPECIAL PULL-OUT

Ride Guide

THE GUIDE TO BIKING THE ’BOAT! MAPS & TIPS | TRAIL & ROAD RIDES | FAMILY CRUISING 2016 bike Guide

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Series Schedule June 1 - Marabou XC (Marabou Ranch) June 15 - Bike Town Classic (Emerald Mountain) June 29 - Churn & Burn Circuit (Mt. Werner) July 13 - Emerald Envy XC (Emerald Mountain) July 27 - Storm Peak Hill Climb (Mt. Werner) August 17 - Howelsen Hammer XC (Emerald Mountain) August 31 - Sunshine Loop XC (Mt. Werner) September 10 - Coda Classic XC (Emerald Mountain) · 8 Race Series Featuring EPIC Cross Country, Hill Climb and Downhill Terrain! · Youth / Novice / Sport / Expert / Pro / Single Speed Divisions · Post Race Parties / Raffles / Series Awards

970.871.7031 townchallenge.com

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Steamboat Bike Town USA Initiative Board of Directors Chris Sias, president David High, vice president larry Mashaw, secretary Jim Clark, treasurer linda Corkadel, Mark Fitzgerald, Kent Foster, liana Gregory, Trevyn Newpher, David Scully

COREY KOPISCHKE

Director Amy Stern Safe Routes to School Coordinator Sally Cariveau The 2016 Steamboat Springs Bike Guide is produced by the Steamboat Today.

Suzanne Schlicht, COO Eugene Buchanan, magazine editor lindsay Porter, creative services manager Photographers Corey Kopischke, larry Pierce, Scott Franz, Joel Reichenberger, John F. Russell, Matt Stensland, CJ Berg, Aryeh Copa, Eric Schankerman Advertising Sales Jenni DeFouw, laura Tamucci

Bike Town USA ®

2016 Bike Guide SPECIAL PULL-OUT

Ride Guide

THE GUIDE TO BIKING THE ’BOAT! MAPS & TIPS | TRAIL & ROAD RIDES | FAMILY CRUISING 2016 BIKE GUIDE

STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

steamboatbiketown.com

ride GUide — PULL OUT SECTION Trail ratings, tips, maps, descriptions and more for Steamboat’s favorite rides, from classic roadie tours to Emerald Mountain, the Steamboat Bike Park and more.

Take this special pull-out section with you on the trail for easy reference.

Bike Town USA ®

SPECIAL PULL OUT

2016 Ride Guide THE INSIDE TRACK ON

STEAMBOAT’S TRAILS AND ROADS

STEAMBOATBIKETOW

N.COM 2016 RIDE GUIDE

For advertising information, call Jenni DeFouw at 970-871-4235

On the cover: Justin Reiter and Emily Colin head out for a classic Steamboat ride on Emerald Mountain.

Photo by Corey Kopischke

Welcome ............................................................................... 10 Bike Town USA ...................................................................... 11 Event Calendar ..................................................................... 12 Cycling Events ...................................................................... 14 Bike Week ............................................................................ 16 Bicycle Friendly Community ................................................ 17 Bear River Bike Park ............................................................. 19 Fat Bikes ............................................................................... 20 New Trails ............................................................................. 22 Buff Pass Trails ..................................................................... 24

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Routt County Riders ............................................................

Après Bike Scene ..................................................................

Brewery Tour ........................................................................

Online Bike Guide ................................................................

Q&A with Katie Lindquist ....................................................

Share the Road .....................................................................

Safe Bike Riding Tips ...........................................................

Safe Routes to School ..........................................................

Bike Shops ............................................................................

Women’s Favorite Rides ......................................................

Women’s Programs ..............................................................

Titanium Titans ....................................................................

Gravel Rides .........................................................................

5 Minutes with Amy Charity ................................................

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Welcome Let me be the first to welcome you to Bike Town USA for your cycling adventure.

Welcome to Bike Town USA. In this guide and on the trails and roads surrounding Steamboat Springs, you’ll find a huge variety of biking suitable to riders of all ages and skills. Moreover, you’ll find a community that embraces cycling as recreation and lifestyle.

Residents recently voted to devote substantial tax revenue to improving our trails. Now, the first of many new trails are ready to ride on Emerald Mountain. No Pedaling Required (NPR) offers a moderate gravity line with fun features. Morning Gloria offers a gradual climb or flowing descent, with awesome views. And new projects on Buffalo Pass should be shovel ready this summer.

To assure the sustainability of these and other trails, the Trail Maintenance Endow-

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ment Fund at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation was established in 2015. Donations are already coming in, and, of course, more are welcome.

Road riders have great options, too.

For a traditional road experience, consider July’s Tour de Steamboat, offering supported rides over some of the most beautiful roads in the area. For gravel, meander our bucolic country roads, snaking past working ranches and river vistas. June’s Moots Ranch Rally explores some of these scenic routes.

If you’re a gravity buff, give the Steamboat Bike Park a try. Host to the Enduro X race series, it has enticing lines for all abilities, and a top-notch lesson and rental program.

Finally, don’t forget the beautiful Yampa River Core Trail, a cycling and walking artery through the valley along the Yampa River. Cruise this seven-mile path past the Botanic Gardens and through the heart of downtown, ending with a picnic at the Bear

Christopher Sias, Steamboat Bike Town USA Initiative Board president River Bike Park.

Use this Guide as a great starting place for your biking adventure, and reach out to the experts in our local bike shops for more suggestions and proper gear. Those of us lucky enough to call Steamboat home are proud of our trails and roads and hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.

steamboatbiketown.com

JOHN F. RUSSEll

bike ToWN USa “bikinG iS an inteGral Part oF our Community...”

— steaMBoat springs resort chaMBer association ceo JiM cLarK Move over, Ski Town USA. There’s a new moniker in town, emphasizing biking.

Yep, that’s right. The Steamboat Bike Town USA initiative is rolling strong, thanks to a community that lives and breathes cycling, volunteer organizations dedicated to the cause, and one of the most proactive trail-building programs in the country.

Voters recently approved allocating $5.1 million in lodging tax proceeds toward building more trails in the region, with the fund’s fruits already blooming. In the past two years, the new Morning Gloria, Wild Rose and NPR trails were built on Emerald Mountain and the Ridge Trailhead was expanded, and this year new trails are slated for Buff Pass.

And there’s far more than new trails putting Steamboat on the mountain bike map. A $33,000 grant from Bell Helmets helped build the Bear River Bike Park; IMBA recently chose Steamboat to host its World Summit (and labeled town a bronzelevel Riding Center); and the league of American Bicyclists gave town its prestigious Gold Bicycle Friendly Community designation.

The school district also received a $24,000 grant for its Safe Routes to School program; town 2015 bike Guide steamboatbiketown.com

hosted two stages of the USA Pro Challenge last year (including the overall start); and the ski area continues to invest in new trails for its world-class Steamboat Bike Park. Add a seven-mile bike path following the Yampa River, hundreds of miles of top-notch trails and roads, ride to work initiatives, a BMX track, a great local race series, two bike manufacturers and companies like Honey Stinger based in town, and events like the Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Stinger, Enduro-X Series and Steamboat Stage Race and it’s no wonder Steamboat has so much cycling momentum.

“Biking is an integral part of our community, making us a true year-round destination,” says Steamboat Resort Chamber Association CEO Jim Clark, who’s also an avid rider. “It’s hard to find a community with more bicycling momentum.”

Adds Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare owner Harry Martin: “People are coming here now from around the country just to go biking, thanks to a ton of different options you can do right from town.”

So update your nickname vocabulary and celebrate a new one that’s taking Steamboat by storm: Bike Town USA. Info: www.steamboatbiketown.com 2016 bike Guide

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Bike Events Calendar May

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Where the Hell’s Maybell, free, 30-mile scenic group ride from Craig to Maybell on U.S. Highway 40, www.visitmoffatcounty.com

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2nd Annual Cog RIde, 11 a.m., Wesley Park, Hayden. 5-mile fun ride, 26-mile cog ride, optional gravel grinder, wesleydearborn@gmail.com, 970-846-2333

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SSWSC Bike Swap, Howelsen Hill, www.sswsc.org

JUNE

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(Colorado Bike-To-Work Month)

Kick-off Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series, www.townchallenge.com

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RCR Scholarship Day benefiting Routt County Riders/Steamboat Bike Park (gondola opens), www.routtcountyriders.org

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Gondola opens for summer season, www.steamboat.com Steamboat Bike Week! www.steamboatbiketown.com

13-19 Discounted rentals and lessons at Steamboat Bike Park 13 & 15 Moots Factory Tours

14 Ski and Bike Kare Women’s Group Ride

15 Bike Town Classic Mountain Bike Race on Emerald Mountain, www.townchallenge.com 16 Gravity Girls Downhill Clinic at Steamboat Bike Park 16 USA BMX Local Points Race, www.usabmx.com 17 Steamboat CycleART, www.steamboatbiketown.com/CycleART 18 Moots Colorado Ranch Rally (50mile, dirt/gravel non-competitive ride), www.moots.com 18 Farmers Market Bike Polo Tournament, mainstreetsteamboat.com 19 Bike Town Fathers Day at Howelsen Hill, kids’ skills clinic, guided adult road and trail rides

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Tri the Boat Triathalon at Stagecoach; www.tritheboat.com

JULY

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Steamboat Lake Sprint Triathlon, www.withoutlimits.com

Eriksen Tour de Steamboat (fundraiser rides including 110-mile “Gore Gruel,” 40-mile Stagecoach ride and family friendly Core Trail ride), www.tourdesteamboat.com

While Steamboat has miles of world-class singletrack, it has just as many events where you can cycle, socialize and more with likeminded riders. Following are a few to put on your riding radar.

AUGUST

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Steamboat Stinger Mountain Bike Race (50-mile, plus full/half trail marathons), www.steamboatstinger.com

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STARS Biking the Boat Charity Ride (5-, 26-, 52-, and 75-mile rides); includes apres party and T-shirt. www. steamboatstars.com

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Steamboat Enduro-X Mountain Bike Series, www.Enduro-Xrace.com

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Steamboat Triathlon At Lake Catamount (Sprint, Olympic, & Aqua Bike), www.withoutlimits.com September

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Steamboat Springs Stage Race (presented by Moots Cycles), www. bikesteamboat.com

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Quick and Chainless, Steamboat Ski Area, www.bike.steamboat.com

OCTOBER

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10th Annual Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride (fundraiser for Routt County Humane Society), www.ssmustacheride.com

ongoing events Town Challenge Dates: June 1; June 15; June 29; July 13; July 27; Aug. 17; Aug. 31; Sept. 10 SSWSC Steel Club Road Training Races: May 25: Rabbit Ears Time Trial; June 8: Colorado Highway 131 Time Trial; June 22: Twentymile Time Trial; July 20: Team Time Trial; Aug. 24: Rabbit Ears Time Trial Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare Clinics: Basic Bicycle Maintenance Clinics

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(free): Second Tuesday of every month.

All clinics start at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Info: 970-879-9144, www.facebook.com/steamboatskiandbikekare

Gravity Girls Clinics, Steamboat Ski Area, Thursdays June 16 through Aug. 21. Info: www.steamboatbikepark.com

Women’s Mountain Bike Clinics and Ride Nights (free): Tuesdays, June 7 through Aug. 30. All levels welcome, 5:45 p.m. courthouse lawn; bring functioning mountain bike, water and trail tools. Clinics follow at 7 p.m. Info: www.facebook.com/skiandbikekarewomen; abislingsby@gmail.com

Captain of the Boat series: July 1, 15, 29 and Aug. 12, 26. Info: www.bike.steamboat.com Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series: Thursdays starting June 9 through Aug. 11. Info: 970-871-9500, steamboatspringsbmx@rocketmail.com steamboatbiketown.com

Debbie ArAgon StAte FArm inSurAnce

404 Oak Street • Steamboat Springs, CO • 970-879-1756

We are excited to support biking in Steamboat! steamboatbiketown.com

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Cycling Events Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series (all summer) Held on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer riding season, Steamboat’s Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series brings out riders of all abilities for everything from hill climbs to cross-country events. Kicking off Wed., June 1, at Marabou Ranch, the series offers 24 different categories, from pro/ open to three different age groups for men’s and women’s expert, sport and novice divisions. It also offers kids and even single-speed categories. Points are awarded for each race, with the results tallied for top bragging rights at a raucous party at season’s end. Riders can register ahead of time online or at the city’s Parks office, or on-site on race day.

“It’s become more popular than ever, with more locals and visitors turning out each year,” says longtime series co-organizer Gretchen Sehler, adding that the races draw up to 200 riders each week.

“It’s a super fun time and great way to bring riders together Steamboat-style.”

Info: townchallenge.com.

2016 Town Challenge Races JUNE 1 - MARABOU XC (MARABOU RANCH) JUNE 15 - BIKE TOWN CLASSIC (EMERALD MOUNTAIN) JUNE 29 - CHURN & BURN CIRCUIT (MT. WERNER) JULY 13 - EMERALD ENVY XC (EMERALD MOUNTAIN) JULY 27 - STORM PEAK HILL CLIMB (MT. WERNER) AUGUST 17 - HOWELSEN HAMMER XC (EMERALD MOUNTAIN) AUGUST 31 - SUNSHINE LOOP XC (MT. WERNER) SEPTEMBER 10 - CODA CLASSIC XC (EMERALD MOUNTAIN)

The only thing rivaling

Steamboat’s vast singletrack

is its event line-up this cycling

season. Following are a few to keep on your riding radar.

Steamboat Bike Week (June 13-19) Town officially kicks off its biking season June 13-19 with its third annual Bike Week, offering fun for the whole family. Organized by Bike Town USA, the week-long series of cycling events includes women’s clinics; discount lessons and rentals at Steamboat Bike Park; the Bike Town Classic Town Challenge race on Emerald Mountain; the Steamboat CycleART auction benefitting Bike Town USA and the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund; the Moots Ranch Rally; a bike polo tournament; a bike-in movie at Gondola Square; guided group mountain and road bike rides; Moots factory tour; kids’ skills clinics; and more.

“It should be a lot of fun, with a lot of great bicycling related activities all week long,” says Bike Town USA director Amy Stern. “It’ll be a great week to visit Steamboat.”

Info: steamboatbiketown.com

Joel Reichenberger

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3rd Annual Moots Colorado Ranch Rally (June 18) An anchor ride of this year’s Bike Week, this third annual event features a 50-mile group gravel and dirt road ride showcasing area ranches while benefitting the Community Agriculture Alliance. Culminating with an after party at local bike manufacturer Moots, the non-competitive event draws 150 riders to rural dirt and gravel roads around Routt County connecting area historical ranches and farms. En route you’ll pass by historic Elk Mountain Cemetery and ghost town of Mystic, enjoy lunch at a working ranch and descend Deep Creek before finishing with a small climb over Fly Gulch and ending at the Moots world headquarters. “It lets you see the amazing countryside around Steamboat while group riding with great people,” says Moots spokesperson Cathy Wiedemer, adding participants are automatically entered into a drawing to win a Moots frame. Info: moots.com Captain of the Boat Series (July 1, 15, 29; Aug. 12, 26) The Captain of the Boat Series returns to the Steamboat Bike Park on Friday nights this summer, providing a competitive gravity opportunity for riders of all ages and abilities. This year’s series starts July 1 and continues every other week until the final race on Aug. 26. With the focus on fun, experienced racers can test their skills against the best in the ‘Boat while newbies can enjoy a relaxed introduction to competitive mountain biking. To become this year’s Captain of the Boat, you’ll need to beat last year’s men’s winner Marlo Ross-Bryant, who wrapped up with 2120 points, and two-time women’s champ Yvonne Delaunty, who tallied a perfect 2,400.

Info: bike.steamboat.com.

Eriksen Tour de Steamboat (July 23) When mountain bike hall-of-famer Kent Eriksen first concocted the Tour de Steamboat in the 1980s, a motley crew of 80 riders pedaled a 50-mile loop to Oak Creek and back. Now, the event

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draws up to 1,000 riders each year, all while benefitting local nonprofit organizations, including Routt County Riders.

The non-competitive event offers rides of four distances, including a 26-mile loop out to Sydney Peak Ranch (963-foot gain), a 46-mile Stagecoach out-and-back (2,200-foot gain), and the infamous 116mile Gore Gruel (8,000-foot gain), which takes riders from Steamboat over Rabbit Ears and Gore passes and back (with plenty of aid stations en route). New this year is the addition of the 66-mile Yampa Loop (3,100-foot gain) to Stagecoach, Phippsburg and Yampa along the Flat Tops mountain range. “It’s a great event for a great cause,” says Eriksen. “These routes offer a fun and challenging day for all members of your group or family and showcase northwest Colorado’s beautiful mountains, forests, rivers, ranch land and historic communities,” says co-organizer Kent Eriksen. “It’s one of the marquee cycling events of the season.” Sponsored

by Kent Eriksen Cycles and Shimano, this year’s 15th annual event will be held July 23. Info: tourdesteamboat.com Steamboat Stinger (Aug. 13-14) This year marks the sixth running of the locally organized Steamboat Stinger race, hosted by Steamboat’s own Honey Stinger. Serving up a healthy dose of punishment Emerald Mountain-style, this year’s event will lure 500 mountain bikers to town to race 50 miles up and over Emerald Mountain not once but twice, in a two-loop circuit. Billed as “epic fun with western flair,” this year’s event will again offer solo and duo divisions, as well as half and full marathon trail races. “Racing is in our DNA, so this is a great way to promote our local, world-class trail system,” says Honey Stinger’s Len Zanni. “It’s become a highlight of the summer riding season and gives people a great reason to come to Steamboat.” Eat plenty of Honey Stinger if you hope to beat the course record of 4:07:58, and even more to earn the coveted King Sting and Queen Bee categories, awarded to those who both ride and run. Info: honeystinger.com.

Steamboat Enduro-X Mountain Bike Race (Aug. 20-21) Enduro-X riding returns with the four-stage Enduro-X race at the Steamboat Bike Park. Open to riders 14 and older and benefitting Routt County Riders and Bike Town USA, the downhill extravaganza features descents of 2,000 feet or more. Kicking off with a practice, race check-In and BBQ, the event also offers a Kids Pump Track Jam and Strider Challenge for the youngsters. If you’re going to step up, be prepared to beat last year’s top pro men’s finisher Trevyn Newpher, and top women’s pro category winner Yvonne Delaunty. Info: Enduro-Xrace.com Steamboat Stage Race (Sept.

3-5) The idea for the Steamboat Stage Race started when founder Corey Piscopo moved to town in 2008 and saw an opportunity for a new event drawing road racers from around the state.

The event’s uniqueness stems from its stage race format, similar to the Tour de France, requiring racers to compete all three days, including a time trial, road race and criterium. It also offers 10 different racing categories for men and women, based on age and ability, with equal prize money for the pro men and women. This year’s eighth annual race is slated for Sept. 3-5. “It’s great because you get pro riders racing right alongside locals,” Piscopo says, adding that this year’s event should draw nearly 400 competitors. “It’s a Colorado classic for pro-am racing.” Info: bikesteamboat. com.

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Steamboat Bike Week June 13-19 Events at a glance Mon.-Sun., June 13-19: Discount lessons and rentals at Steamboat Bike Park Mon., June 13: Moots Factory Tour Tues., June 14: Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare women’s group ride Wed., June 15: Bike Town Classic Mountain Bike Race on Emerald Mountain; Moots factory tour

If you visit Steamboat Springs for just one week this summer, make it June 1319, when town kicks off its biking season with its third annual Bike Week.

Organized by Bike Town USA, the week-long series of fun-filled cycling events includes women’s ride clinics; discount lessons and rentals at Steamboat Bike Park; the Bike Town Classic Mountain Bike Race; Steamboat CycleART, an art auction benefitting Bike Town USA and the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund; the Moots Colorado Ranch Rally;

a bike polo tournament; a bike-in movie at Steamboat Bike Park; guided group mountain and road bike rides; tours of the Moots factory; kids’ skills clinics; and more. And, of course, it’s all held in beautiful Steamboat Springs, where any spare time can be spent riding the area’s world-class trails and roads.

“Bike Week has something for everyone,” says Bike Town USA director Amy Stern. “It’s a great chance to discover all the two-wheeled adventures Steamboat has to offer, and to kick off our beautiful summer biking season.”

Info: steamboatbiketown.com

Thurs., June 16: USA BMX Local Points Race; Gravity Girls Downhill women’s clinic at Steamboat Bike Park Fri., June 17: Steamboat CycleART (art auction featuring cycling-inspired art, benefitting Bike Town USA and Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund) Sat., June 18: Moots Ranch Rally; Farmers Market Bike Polo Tournament; Bike-in Movie Night at Steamboat Bike Park Sun., June 19: Bike Town Fathers Day at Howelsen Hill - Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club kids’ skills clinic; Routt County Riders guided road and mountain bike rides; refreshments and swag at Howelsen Hill

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Larry Pierce

Awards continue to roll in Steamboat earns Gold-level Bike Friendly Community status The accolades continue to roll in for Bike Town USA. The League of American Bicyclists recently awarded Steamboat its prestigious Gold-level status as a Bike Friendly Community.

“It’s a huge honor,” says Bike Town USA director Amy Stern. “Not many towns have that distinction.”

Assessed through a voluntary application process, to qualify towns have to score high on a bike town’s five E’s: Engineering: Creating safe and convenient places to ride; Education: Giving people of all ages and abilities the skills and confidence to ride; Encouragement: Creating a strong bike culture that welcomes and celebrates bicycling; Enforcement: Ensuring safe roads for all users; Evaluation & Planning: Planning for bicycling as a safe and viable transportation option.

To date, there are only 24 gold-level Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states, with Steamboat now one of the elite cities bestowed with the honor. “We’re inspired when we see places like Steamboat making bicycling safer and more accessible,” says the association’s communcations director Liz Murphy. “It helps set the bar for other communities investing in bicycling.

We know that investment will be returned many times over in health, environmental, transportation and quality of life benefits of a thriving, attractive community.”

This honor follows several other milestones

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for Steamboat. In 2014, the International Mountain Bicycling Association selected Steamboat to host its 2014 World Summit, the first time the event has ever taken place in Colorado. It brought “Steamboat was a natural choice for the event,” says IMBA merketing director Mark Eller, adding that the event drew nearly 500 mountain bikers and industry personnel to town. “It has everything a mountain biker could wish for, from an in-town bike park and gravity-fueled resort riding to incredile cross-country riding and a great cycling community.”

IMBA also labeled Steamboat a bronze-level Ride Center, making it the first Ride Center in Colorado and one of only 17 in the world. Affirming town’s marketing efforts toward biking, IMBA bills Ride Centers as destination-worthy riding hot spots, where people can ride for an entire week. Locations are judged on everything from trail experience, where Steamboat scored high, to services, community involvement and marketing. There are currently 37 gold-, silverand bronze-level Ride Centers across the world.

“It’s recognition of all the hard work we’ve been doing and carries a lot of weight,” says Bike Town USA co-founder Grant Fenton. “A lot of riders will see that label and want to come ride in Steamboat.”

The Bike Town USA initiative is also ramping up Steamboat’s Bicycle Friendly Business Program, offering coaching and free application to businesses who are sponsors of Bike Town. It plans to submit the first round of applications to the League of American Bicyclists in summer 2016.

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bike park SoariNG the new beAr river bike PArk, LocAted neXt to the skAte PArk At the western end of the core trAiL, hAs Proven A resounding suc-

Jumpin’ Jimminy: A high-flying rider at Bear River BIke Park.

cess, offering fun for the whoLe fAmiLy. Funded by IMBA, Bell Helmets, Routt County Riders and the City of Steamboat Springs, the park is as suitable for families as it is high fliers, featuring two pump-track loops with everything from smooth, kid-friendly berms to big, pro-caliber airs for top level riders. “It’s a huge asset to this community, letting riders test themselves on a full lineup of pro level jumps,” says Routt County Riders’ Eric Meyer. “Kids can also get into the action with progressive terrain, from a small pump track to a gradually building lineup of berms and jumps. It’s truly a world-class bike park.”

Plans are also underway for the addition of a new skills area to the park.

steamboatbiketown.com

ERIC SCHANKERMAN

2016 bike Guide

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Fat Bikes flurrying

Where to go Lake Catamount Touring Center: Open to fat bikes with restrictions; trail fee required and rentals available.

Steamboat Ski Area: Open to fat bikes with restrictions; closed during normal hours of operations; use only routes identified by the resort.

Howelsen Hill Nordic Center: Open to fat bikes with restrictions; trail fee required; trails closed to fat bikes from 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and during Nordic events.

Elsewhere: Fat bikes are allowed on all other city trails not groomed for Nordic skiing. Hotspots include Blackmere Drive and the mountain bike trails of Emerald Mountain.

dos and don’ts

Don’t ride groomed trails if: 1) you’re leaving a tire rut deeper than 1 inch or cannot ride in a straight line; 2) your bike tires are narrower than 3.7 inches and tire pressure is greater than 10 psi.

Also, don’t ride in classic tracks.

Do: yield to all other users; ride in control; and ride on the most firm part of the track.

rentals

Orange Peel Bicycle Service, Wheels Bike Shop, Lake Catamount Touring Center, Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare and Ski Haus have bikes available for rent and/or purchase.

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2016 bike Guide

“People aren’t asking ‘What’s that?’ when they see them anymore...they all want to ride them.”

—Kevin Kopischke

With the new rage of fat bikes sweeping town, biking in Steamboat isn’t just for summertime anymore.

Countless new snow riding options are now available for fat tire aficionados, letting wheels replace skis as a great way to get in shape and tour the local terrain.

“Steamboat’s perfect for fat bike riding,” says local Robert Orr, a two-time finisher of Idaho’s 200-km-long Fat Pursuit Race through Yellowstone. “We get great snow and have great terrain for it that’s not too steep or rocky.”

Fat bike retailers like Orange Peel Bicycle Service, Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare, Ski Haus and Wheels reported record sales and rentals over the winter, with local bike manufacturer Moots also hot on the trend. “It’s fun and different,” says Moots president Butch Boucher. “A lot of our employees like to ride the singletrack they ride in the summer. Plus, it’s super accessible the equipment is great; five-inch-wide tires work great in the snow.”

A lot of the credit goes to Routt County Riders, whose snowmobile-towed trailgroomer is now regularly used to create flow trails on Emerald Mountain. This year the group also groomed the new No Pedaling Required trail on Emerald. “That trail is great for it,” says Orange Peel owner Brock Webster, who reports record rentals and sales over the winter. “It’s super smooth and flowy, with great ramps.”

Other popular riding spots include the city-owned Nordic trails at Howelsen Hill, which are groomed regularly, as well as a series of snowmobile trails groomed by Routt Power Riders on Rabbit Ears Pass.

“It’s certainly a growing trend, especially with RCR packing out NPR and the Prayer Flag trails this year,” says the city’s parks and trails manager Craig Robinson, who also oversees fat bike riding on the city’s Nordic trails.

Adds Webster: “Since fat bikes came out, we’ve seen a phenomenal difference in winter traffic in the store. It keeps people interested in biking.”

Several local events have also put fat biking in the limelight. Hahns Peak Roadhouse in North Routt hosted a fat bike race around Steamboat Lake in March; this year’s inaugural Cool Dual race at Steamboat Ski Area, sponsored by Monster Energy, GoPro and Bud Light, had a fat bike category; and Catamount Ranch & Club, in conjunction with Ski Haus, held its Pleasant Valley Race-Ride-Tour series to terrific turnout.

Included were two full moon fat bike races and two fat bike/Nordic combos.

“The turn-out was great,” says organizer Kevin Kopischke, adding the event drew everyone from hardcore fat tire riders to novices. ‘We had way more people compete than we have in the past.” In all, more than 100 riders showed up for the four, 15-km-long events, which included sections of singletrack and Nordic trail riding and all ended with burgers and beer. As further testament to the growing trend, he adds fat bike rentals were up three times over last season.

“People aren’t asking ‘What’s that?’ when they see them anymore,” he says. “Everyone knows about them now and wants to try it.” steamboatbiketown.com

faT bike eTiqUeTTe • Purchase a Howelsen Ticket or Pass from the Concession stand at the Lodge. tickets are required to be on groomed trails.

• Bikes yield to all other users. Skiers don’t have brakes, you do.

• Fat bike lane — ride on the most firm part of the track.

• Leave room for skiers to pass.

• Do not ride in the classic ski tracks.

• Stay to the right side of the trail around corners and look for oncoming traffic.

• Allow the track time to set-up after grooming and before riding.

• Don’t ride any old mountain bike out there — purpose built fat bike only.

• Spread the word about fat biking — make it fun, keep it safe.

BRAD BINGHAM

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• Be an ambassador for the sport — stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules.

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Steamboat earmarks $5.1 million for new trails

John F. Russell

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Call it a windfall for trail users That’s the best way to describe voters’ allocation of $5.1 million in lodging tax proceeds for 46 trail-related projects within 30 miles of town, with the project entering year three of its 10year spending cycle. The funding comes from a 1 percent lodging tax created to help finance projects increasing Steamboat’s appeal as a world-class destination.

Local organizers have made quick work of the bounty. Spearheaded by Routt County Riders, the fund’s first year led to the new 4.2-mile Morning Gloria trail on Emerald Mountain, a reroute of lower Spring Creek Trail, and the installation of several road crossing signals. Last year’s projects included expanding the Ridge Trailhead on the backside of Emerald Mountain and building the new NPR downhill directional trail (co-funded by GoCo lottery funds) and Wild Rose trail on Emerald Mountain.

This year’s projects will eventually lead to the addition of 20.7 miles of new trails on pubic land on Buffalo Pass. The city has

New trail roundup Morning Gloria This 4.2-mile trail on the south side of Emerald Mountain was the first trail funded by the lodging tax. Great to ride up or down, it offers sweeping views of Steamboat and Mount Werner as well as the Flat Tops to the south. With 848 feet of vertical and 35 switchbacks (yes, we counted), and built with Routt County Riders’ new trail-building machine, it provides a more accessible route to the top of Emerald. Bonus: it’s also accessible to hand cyclists.

Ridge Trailhead The city has created a better parking lot in the popular access area on the west side of Emerald Mountain off Routt County Road 45, serving the Ridge and Rotary trails. “The area really needed it,” says the city’s Winnie Del-

Spotlight: Kent Foster There’s a new cycling ringleader in town when it comes to trail building.

Kent Foster, the U.S. Forest Service’s former Recreation Program Manager for the Hahn’s Peak/Bears Ears District, has taken on a new title as Recreation Specialist, whose job is developing new trails on public lands. “It’s an entirely new and unique position,” he says. “For the next few years my primary focus will be on working on these new trails,

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awarded the Howelsen directional design/build project to RCR Trail Builders. This continuation of the NPR trail will have a beginner and intermediate line along the east side of Mile Run and should be complete and open to the public by mid-July.

“It’s the largest local funding commitment to this type of project I’ve seen,” says Routt County Riders’ Eric Meyer, adding that such magazines as Bicycling and Mountain Flyer have reported on the trail-funding effort. “It will add even more worldclass trails to our already great system.”

While Meyer says it will take a few years for riders to feel the true effects of the funding, the bulk of the new trails will be on U.S. Forest Service-managed lands. In particular comes this year’s new trail network on Buffalo Pass.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to create an interconnected trail system rivaling anything in the country,” says committee member Nate Bird. “The sky is the limit as to what we can pull off.”

Info: www.steamboatspringstrails.com

liQuadri. “Accessing three great trails, the parking lot got full all the time.” The enhanced access includes a new parking area and restrooms.

Lower Spring Creek at Amethyst This project added an enhanced pedestrian crossing on Amethyst Drive to better connect the Spring Creek Trail to downtown. “The Spring Creek trail is heavily utilized by tourists who seek an easy, more level ride out of downtown, and this project gets them there more easily,” says trails committee member Harry Martin.

Wild Rose This 1.5-mile trail features an average grade of 3 percent and provides a direct connection the Beall and Ridge Upper trailhead from the front side of Emerald. Perfect for riding up or down,

it also takes pressure off the popular Stairway to Heaven trail and give riders a pure single track option to access the back side of Emerald. Plus, it puts you in one of the best aspen groves in town.

No Pedaling Required (NPR) This flowy, rampy and jumpy one-way trail down Emerald between Blackmere Drive and the EMP property line lives up to its name, reducing conflicts between trail users while giving cyclists a better route to the bottom of Emerald. If you like smooth, man-made berms and table tops (that you don’t have to air out), this trail’s for you The city has awarded the Howelsen directional design/build project to RCR Trail Builders. This continuation of the NPR trail will have a beginner and intermediate line along the east side of Mile Run and should be complete and open to the public by mid July.

and continuing to develop partnerships resulting in sustainable and unique opportunities.”

The move follows Steamboat’s unprecedented trail-building commitment, from voters approving $5.1 million in trail building funds from local lodging tax proceeds to various nonprofit groups dedicated to the cause.

“Normally, the Forest Service doesn’t get involved in building new trails unless it has strong local partnerships,” says Foster. “It takes a village, which is exactly what Steamboat is doing.”

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Trail maiNTeNaNce eNdoWmeNT fUNd Building new trails is one thing; maintaining them quite another. That’s the reason for a new trail maintenance endowment fund managed by Steamboat’s Yampa Valley Community Foundation, whose goal is to keep town’s trails in tip-top shape for years to come.

Designed to pay for maintaining trails on public lands, the endowment fund will help keep trails built on National Forest and other public lands in good shape.

“It’s a unique approach to solving the maintenance problem,” says U.S. Forest Service recreation specialist Kent Foster. “Building new trails is cool and sexy, but ensuring you have the means to maintain them is far more difficult.

Having the foresight to address that in perpetuity is a big part of the equation and a testament to Steamboat’s commitment to its trails. It will help ensure we have great trails for years to come.”

Winnie DelliQuadri, the city’s government programs manager, says the fund has a goal of raising $100,000 per year over the next 10 years. Spending decisions will be made by a five-member board with representation from the city, Forest Service, Bureau of land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. “Each year, we’ll take a look at which entity and trail needs the maintenance most,” says Foster. land managers will then partner with such entities as Routt County Riders’ Trail Builders division, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, contractors, internal crews or others to perform the trail maintenance.

“This bucks the nationwide trend of closing trails and reducing recreation,” says DelliQuadri. “Building trails on public lands requires an environmental clearance process, which involves sustainability and proof that you can maintain them.”

DelliQuadri adds that with the community earmarking $5.1 million toward building new trails, the bulk will be built on public lands. And the town’s lodging tax funds can’t be used for maintenance.

“This is a way to ensure their success well into the future,” she says.

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TrailS for bUff paSS LAst seAson, steAmboAt-AreA riders enJoyed A sLew of new trAiLs on emerALd mountAin. this seAson, town’s trAiL-buiLding efforts Are turned towArd buffALo PAss. “it’s our third year of using lodging tax proceeds to build new trails, and now our focus area is on buff Pass,” says the city’s winnie delliQuadri. in all, 20.7 miles of new trails are planned for the pass this year, with more than 40 miles of new trails on track over the next two years. included are the 4.5-mile grouse trail, 1.9-mile btr trail, 9.5-mile soda mountain trail, 1.2-mile dry Lake south trail, and 3.1-mile soda creek Loop trail. Also in the works is a new 6.2-mile trail leading up the south side of buff Pass road from dry Lake to the start of grouse, allowing users to climb up the pass while avoiding the road. A singletrack trail open to motorcycles is also being planned, as well as an alternate Spring Creek trail, reducing two-way traffic on the popular multi-use trail. “we have enough work to keep us busy for the next several years,” says u.s. forest service recreation specialist kent foster, adding that one goal is to give bikers and motorcycle riders an option to the main road. “we’re hustling to get all the planning done, and this summer we’re looking to finish the btr trail, and maybe grouse. People can also still ride the existing trails as they are.” open to hikers and horseback riders as well as mountain bikers, foster adds that the new trails will “be a little rougher and in a more natural state” than their smooth counterparts on emerald mountain. “that’s what we learned from our public comment process, so that’s how they’re being developed,” he says. “they should be a great complement to the offerings on emerald.”

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Bike Town USA ®

SPECIAL PULL-OUT

2016 Ride Guide THE INSIDE TRACK ON STEAMBOAT’S TRAILS AND ROADS steamboatbiketown.com

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Steamboat Bike Town USA Initiative Board of Directors Chris Sias, president David High, vice president larry Mashaw, secretary Jim Clark, treasurer linda Corkadel, Mark Fitzgerald, Kent Foster, liana Gregory, Trevyn Newpher, David Scully

Using this Guide...................................................................... 3 Riding right ............................................................................ 3 SafeTy ..................................................................................

Riding with animals ................................................................

Road safety ............................................................................

Trail safety ..............................................................................

Taking your bike on the bus ...................................................

Director Amy Stern

4 4 4 4 4

Safe Routes to School Coordinator Sally Cariveau

mUNicipal map ................................................................ 6

The 2015 Steamboat Springs Bike Guide is produced by the Steamboat Today.

reSorT rideS ...................................................................... 9

Suzanne Schlicht, COO Eugene Buchanan, magazine editor lindsay Porter, creative services manager Photographers Corey Kopischke, larry Pierce, Scott Franz, Joel Reichenberger, John F. Russell, Matt Stensland, CJ Berg, Aryeh Copa, Eric Schankerman For advertising information, call Jenni DeFouw at 970-871-4235 Mountain ride elevation profiles courtesy of MTB Project. Check out MTBProject.com, or look for the app for your iPhone or Android.

On the cover: Emily Colin cranks through an aspen grove on Emerald Mountain.

Photo by Corey Kopischke

Bike Town USA ®

family rideS ...................................................................... 5 Cycling State Parks ................................................................. 8 bmX ..................................................................................... 10 Pump Tracks ......................................................................... 10 Bear River Bike Park ............................................................. 10 ToWN / moUNTaiN rideS ............................................ 11 Howelsen / Emerald Mountain ............................................. 11 Rotary Trail ........................................................................... 12 Beall / Ridge Trails ................................................................ 13 Morning Gloria Trail ............................................................. 14 New trails — NPR and Wild Rose ........................................ 15 Emerald Mountain Map ....................................................... 18 Spring Creek Trail ................................................................ 20 Lower Bear ........................................................................... 21 Hot Springs Trail ................................................................... 22 SoUTh roUTT / rabbiT earS rideS .......................... 23 Divide Trail ........................................................................... 23 Lynx Pass .............................................................................. 24 NorTh roUTT rideS .......................................................

Seedhouse Area ...................................................................

Big Red Park .........................................................................

Nipple Peak ..........................................................................

25 25 26 26

epic rideS .......................................................................... 27 SPECIAL PULL OUT

2016 Ride Guide THE INSIDE TRACK ON STEAMBOAT’S TRAILS AND ROADS STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

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lUNch loopS .................................................................. 27 road / miXed SUrface rideS ..................................... 28

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Using this Guide This guide includes a sampling of the worldclass riding around Steamboat Springs.

Distance The length of the highlighted trail or route.

Elevation Graphic depicting the changes on trail or route.

elevation

Rating Based on the Trail Difficulty Rating System published by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. This system focuses on the trails’ technical challenge, not the physical exertion required to enjoy them. The ratings provide a general idea of the difficulty of each region;

local trails are rated relative to each other and not necessarily relative to trails in other towns. All backcountry trails may have natural and manmade obstacles such as rocks, logs, stream crossings, ledges and bridges. Easy trails have a firm and stable surface. More difficult trails have some variability in the riding surface and usually include steep terrain changes. Difficult trails have a widely variable surface with significant rough terrain and many obstacles and include long, steep climbs.

Consult local bike shops if you are unsure of your riding abilities.

Season Typical timeframe of when the ride is free of snow and dry enough to ride without harming trails.

Riding Right Ride only on open trails.

Don’t use trails when wet, or short-cut switchbacks.

Leave no trace (ride or carry through, rather than around, obstacles like mud puddles).

Avoid locking your brakes and skidding down steeps.

Always control your bicycle.

Always yield to uphill traffic.

Never scare animals (wild or domestic).

WEEKLY THURSDAY EVENING

Beer Run

Go to twistedtrailsrunning.com for more info

• PROFESSIONAL VIDEO GAIT ANALYSIS • PERSONALIZED SERVICE • MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FITNESS APPAREL 601 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO | 970-761-2379 | www.twistedtrailsrunning.com steamboatbiketown.com

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Bike Safety Carry Your Bike on the Bus Taking your bike on the free bus is a great way to get back to your lodging property after a day of riding.

All Steamboat Springs buses are equipped with a bike rack that holds two bikes. Instructions for use are on the rack. If the rack is full, please wait for the next bus.

Scott Franz Shannon Lukens Safety with Animals Approach slowly and quietly. Cattle will move away given the opportunity but become unpredictable when stressed by noises and movement.

Don’t get between a cow or calf and the herd. Stop and stay still and the animal will go around you to return to the herd. Don’t try to get around it or chase it back to the herd.

Move to one side when approaching a cow from behind. This will cause them to move off the trail. Also, ease your speed. If they get far enough ahead, they’ll look for an escape.

Heed the herd. When encountering a herd, stop, step to one side and stand still until it passes. Don’t hurry the herd’s passing with noises and arm movements. If you come up behind a herd, take cues from the horseback riders — they might lead you through the herd or ask you to wait.

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Road Safety Colorado has specific laws concerning bicycling on public roads please visit http://bicyclecolorado.org/learn/ rules-of-road/ for a summary and the statues. Always practice the following rules of the road for safe riding: Always wear a helmet, be visible, be aware and ride friendly. In Routt County we Share the Road!

Don’t use headphones or cell phones while biking Show respect for everything on the road: drivers, other bikers, pedestrians, parked cars, agricultural operations and animals When stopping move off the pavement, remain visible in both directions to other users, particularly on curves and hills, look for driveways and wide shoulder areas

Use correct hand signals to show your movements Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals, and never ride against traffic Ride in the right lane, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn or avoiding hazards (ride on paved shoulders and bike lanes when possible) Ride no more than two abreast, returning to single-file if impeding the flow of traffic (play it safe—ride single-file on curving, narrow roads and blind hill crests) Riding at night legally requires a white headlight and a red tail light or reflector. Wear bright or reflective clothing Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right-of-way

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Family Rides These Little Ripper rides can be done in 30 to 60 minutes, or up to half-day adventures in fun-filled city parks and playgrounds.

Rotary Park to Whistler Park Starting point: U.S. Highway 40 and Mount Werner Road, Rotary Park parking lot, located at southwest corner of Mount Werner Road exit. Port-o-let restroom at parking lot.

Ride: Head south on the Core Trail (toward Rabbit Ears Pass). Continue past the Walton Creek Road intersection and take a left at the split in the trail to cross under U.S. 40. Take a right at the next intersection to cross the bridge. Ride past pond and turn left at Stone Lane.

Ride about two blocks to Whistler Road, turn right onto the sidewalk/bike path and veer right after one block to the Whistler Park entrance, where there’s a playground and restrooms. For a longer variation, start from the Core Trail downtown.

Joel Reichenberger Bear River Skate and Dirt Jump Park Starting point: Little Toots Park at 11th and Yampa streets. Parking, food and restrooms can be found in the Bud Werner Memorial Library.

Ride: Head past the park toward the library, ride under Twentymile Road (13th Street), follow the Core Trail to bridge and turn left to cross the Yampa River.

Turn right and continue on the Core Trail.

Across the second bridge, the Community Center offers a park and playground with restrooms. Continue to the T-intersection at Shield Drive. Stay on the Core Trail and follow signage to Bear River Skate Park.

The dirt jump/pump track is located on the far side of skate park, complete with beginner lines and berms. Fun game: Time riders around the beginner loop.

Ski Time Square Pump Track Starting point: Ski Time Square.

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Ride: This newly re-designed pump track is located at the upper end of Ski Time Square Road, on the lefthand side.

The track is smaller and great for young kids. Ride from the pump track down the access road next to Torian Condos to the Slopeside Grill restaurant for food, beverages and restrooms. Continue down the Promenade to Gondola Square for a kids activity center and more restaurants.

You can ride to Ski Time Square from the Core Trail intersection of the Mount Werner Road exit, but the hill can challenge young riders.

Butcherknife Creek to Strawberry Park Elementary Playground Starting point: Downtown, from Yampa Street/Core Trail, or Howelsen Hill parking lot.

Ride: From downtown, cross Lincoln Avenue and head north two blocks to Pine Street. Follow Pine Street to Seventh Street and turn north to a three-way intersection at Missouri Street. Turn right onto Missouri Street and ride four blocks to Stehley Park. Follow the gravel bike path (Butcherknife Trail) along the creek through Butcherknife Canyon to a split in trail (short steep hill at intersection).

Turn left and cruise down to the middle school track. Veer left and follow the trail to the middle school parking lot. Ride across the parking lot to the playground to the right of the school. End the ride with an ice cream or shake from Lyons Drug Store (Ninth and Lincoln Avenue) or Johnny B. Good’s Diner (Lincoln Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets).

Note: The Howelsen Hill parking lot is a great starting point for this ride if continued on page 8

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Cycling State Parks

Family Rides continued from page 5

Stagecoach State Park

one parent wants to mountain bike on Emerald Mountain while the other takes the kids to the playground.

Eight miles of trails await at Stagecoach State Park. Two trails skirt the lake in a scenic, easy-to-ride dirt track. On the north side is the twomile Lakeside Trail and on the south shore is the 6-mile Elk Run Trail from the inlet to the dam. Join the two for an 8-mile ride, or complete the loop by riding on Routt County Road 18 before taking a refreshing plunge into the lake. Stagecoach Lake offers camping, showers and restroom facilities. From Steamboat Springs, travel four miles south on U.S. Highway 40, then 5 miles south on Colorado Highway 131 to Routt County Road 14. Drive seven miles south on RCR 14 to the park entrance.

Yampa River Core Trail A block off Lincoln Avenue lies Steamboat’s true summer Main Street — the Yampa River Core Trail — a sevenmile, multi-use pathway that parallels the Yampa River from Walton Creek Road on the east to the Bear River Bike Park on the west. Hit it on foot, bike or skateboard for a fun-filled excursion for the whole family. It’s also the best ride in town for cruiser bikes. Abundant parking is available at Rotary Park at 1600 Mount Werner Road. Hint: Ring your bell when passing pedestrians.

Steamboat Lake State Park Steamboat Lake State Park offers easy, scenic biking for the whole family, with views of the Zirkel Wilderness Area. Ride the Willow Creek trail from the Dutch Hill Marina 3.8 miles to the Sage Flats Day Use area, or try the 1.1-mile Poverty Bar Trail, which highlights the area’s gold mining history (access from the visitor’s center). The park also offers camping, beaches, boat rentals and more.

From Steamboat, head west of town on U.S. Highway 40 and take a right on Routt County Road 129. Drive 25 miles north to the park entrance.

Rotary Trail The Rotary Trail on the backside of Emerald Mountain is well worth the short drive. Featuring easy climbs, smooth banks and a wide and smooth, userfriendly trail, the 4-mile loop is accessed by riding 0.65 mile and 125 vertical feet of

the Ridge Trail. From there, it climbs 1.5 miles and 210 vertical feet to the summit before another 1.5 miles of roller-coaster fun followed by a mile ride back to the trail head. To get there, cross the river at the library and head west on 13th Street (also Twentymile Road/Routt County Road 33) for approximately 7 miles. Turn left on Cow Creek Road (Routt County Road 45) and go 1 mile. Two parking areas are available on the left.

Spring Creek This gem of a downtown ride follows a dirt road for a half mile up to two ponds perfect for fishing, before continuing on as a creekside two-track for another 2 miles. From there, you can continue up the singletrack of Spring Creek Trail proper for as long as your troopers’ legs last, or return the way you came, with a leisurely stop at the ponds. To get there, take Fish Creek Falls Road (off Third Street) up the hill and take a left on Amethyst Drive. The parking area is a dirt road to your right across from the high school. To bike there, take the new bike underpass leading north from the upper parking lot of the Old Town Hot Springs.

Pearl Lake State Park Pearl Lake offers beautifully shaded trails and a great access point to Coulton Creek Trail. This easy ride is less than a mile toward the dam, paralleling the lake. Continue on for a more difficult route through the Routt County National Forest. To reach Pearl Lake, drive west on U.S. Highway 40 to Routt County Road 129. Drive north until just before the Steamboat Lake turnoff and look for the park entrance signs.

Stagecoach, Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake state parks require a day use park pass for $7 per day or a valid Colorado State Park season pass. Convenient parking, picnic areas and restrooms are available at all three parks. Info: 800-678-2267, www.parks.state.co.us

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Aryeh Copa steamboatbiketown.com

Larry Pierce

Steamboat Bike Park While winter is what brought most Steamboat residents to the Yampa Valley, summer is what keeps them here.

When the Champagne Powder ® snow melts at Ski Town USA, another world is revealed involving wheels instead of skis.

The Steamboat Bike Park is an extraordinary bike park offering nearly 2,200 vertical feet of lift-served gravityfed and downhill flow trails, covering nearly 20 miles. The trail crew utilized every inch of the natural topography ensuring a thrilling ride that highlights the best of the resort’s natural features, including rocks, bridges, rollers, drops, berms, banks and man-made jumps; all while providing exciting terrain for all ability levels. For beginners, the green trails feature dirt berms, banked turns and wooden slat

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and ladder bridges.

This summer, the freeride momentum continues with new trails Cowpoke, Lasso, Lickity Split and Gunsmoke; a remodeled Steamboat Pump Track in Ski Time Square; and the unveiling of the new Pioneer Trail in Pioneer Ridge which features more than 600 feet of bridges and elevated pathways. The Steamboat Bike Shop has also expanded its rental line and includes Demo and Premium options, boasting top-of-the-line components and the latest in downhill technology.

These new bikes provide an exceptional bike park experience and are available for purchase.

Twilight Bike Park access offers evening riding on Thursday and Friday nights from 4-7 p.m. New this fall, twilight riding extends every Friday night through Sept.

25. The downhill action heats up with the Captain of the Boat Downhill series, held

every other Friday evening in July and August. The resort’s trails open as conditions permit (please stay off closed trails).

Say hello to our professional bike patrol and friendly guides who are available all season with lesson programs to help you improve your skills no matter what your level.

The action is just as hot off the hill with the free Steamboat Mountain Music Series, free Coca-Cola Movies on the Mountain, Sunset Happy Hour, Korbel Sunday Brunch, Coca-Cola Adventure Zone and a number of tantalizing culinary experiences. Unique mountain events round out the season, including Bike Week, Town Challenge, Enduro-X races, STARS Charity Rides and much, much more.

Discover Steamboat Ski Town USA’s other sizzling season. Info: www.steamboat.com, 800-922-2722

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Bear River Park, BMX & Pump Track Want a place where you and your kids can work on your pump, park and BMX skills? Steamboat has three locations, offering ramp-filled fun for the whole family.

The BMX Track Located near the base of Howelsen Hill, Steamboat’s newly redesigned BMX track is free and bike-friendly for all ages and riders. The 950-foot, professionally designed track is a top-tier facility for the Rocky Mountain region.

“It’s a technical, professional course,” co-designer Brian Deem says. “It’s varied and requires more than just one skill to ride well. It teaches kids how to jump, but it’s also a very competitive track.”

Five years in the making, the track came about from Steamboat’s BMX club, Team Flying Wheels, aligning with the National Bicycle League. Donations came from SSX Excavating, Wagner Rents, Prestige Property Detailing, private donors and more. The track turns back on itself for four straight shots, each littered with rollers, mounds and berms designed to challenge experts and beginners alike. It also features starting gates, lights and a public address system for a 10-race BMX summer series racing circuit, open to kids and adults.

Info: Team Flying Wheels, 970-8719500 The Pump Track Maintained by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., the Pump Track, located in Ski Time Square just north of the base of Steamboat Ski Area, is the latest addition to Steamboat’s quick and easy riding options, taking riders on a bank-filled, pedal-less course at the base of Mount Werner. Designed to allow riders to cruise the

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entire course without pedaling, relying on “pumping” up and down to take advantage of gravity and momentum, the track is a partnership between the Steamboat Ski Resort, the city and the Atira Group.

The Pump Track is a great skill-building tool, and is open and free to riders of all ages and ability.

Info: www.steamboatbikepark.com The Bear River Bike Park Thanks to Routt County Riders receiving a $33,000 grant from Bell Helmets, as well as additional in-kind donations from RCR, the city and local excavating companies, the newly renovated Bear River Bike Park offers something fun for riders

of all abilities. Built by the International Mountain Bicycling Association and Flowline Trail Design, the large pump track, located on the west side of town along the Yampa River, can be ridden numerous ways, with a multitude of jump options. It offers professionally built small, medium and large jump lines, each progressively built so that the last jump of each line resembles the first jump of the next, letting riders work their way up from small table tops to pro level gaps in a safe and progressive manner.

And bring along your skateboard, too; the Bear River Bike Park is also home to the Bear River Skate Park, making it a great stop for families cruising the Core Trail.

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Howelsen & Emerald Mountain Park About Emerald Oh, Emerald Mountain, how do we Steamboat riders love thee? Let us count the ways.

Across the valley from Mount Werner lies the town’s mountain biking crown jewel, Emerald Mountain. Accessible from the heart of downtown via the Yampa River Core Trail, Emerald offers a range of rides with more than 4,000 acres of public land and miles of connected natural surface trails. Known for its smooth, tacky singletrack through wildflower-filled meadows and groves of aspen, shrub oak and pine, this is Steamboat’s true local gem and a must for every rider visiting town. For longer rides, tie in a loop on the Ridge and Beall trails off the backside of Emerald. Also check out the new Morning Gloria, No Mo’ Bluez, Wild Rose and NPR trails.

Season: Late May through October Know before you go: The trails can get crowded during lunch and after work, so ride with respect for other users, including those on horseback and hikers. A bell can come in handy.

Rating: Varies – intermediate to advanced (fair amount of climbing) Mileage: It all depends on your route and what trails you decide to link together on any given ride. Go directisimo up the front side, down Ridge, up Beall and back and you’re looking at 25 miles or so of uber-buff singletrack. Stay front side and link Lupine-Blair Witch-Quarry MountainRoot Canal-No Mo’ Bluez-MGM and you’re clocking nearly 10 miles.

Trailheads and Parking Three main trailheads serve the numerous riding options on Emerald Mountain.

Parking is available at the rodeo stables, at Howelsen Lodge and at Blackmere Drive. There are public restrooms at Howelsen Lodge. Parking gets tight during Triple Crown baseball and softball events, which occur throughout the summer, so ride from your accommodations as a nice warm-up. steamboatbiketown.com

Joel Reichenberger

Rodeo Stables Trailhead: For a local favorite try the twisty Lupine trail, which is accessed via the Bluff Loops. The trailhead is located next to the stables and restrooms behind the Rodeo grounds.

Mile Run Trailhead: A ski run in winter, this wide trail provides a moderate grade to access the higher riding options.

The trailhead sign is located by the winter tubing building between the white pavilion and northernmost baseball field at the base of Howelsen Hill. To find it, veer right along the base of the Nordic ski jumps.

The trail heads south before winding northwest and then cutting behind Howelsen Hill. While it starts out steep, the gradient lessens after the first switchback.

Blackmere Trailhead: Blackmere provides the most forgiving riding option to the Quarry overlook. Head down the Core Trail and take a left at 13th Street at the Bud Werner Memorial Library. Follow 13th over the bridge and take your first left on Gilpin Street (or look for a shortcut singletrack on your left). Take a left onto Saratoga Avenue and a right onto Routt Street, which ends at a parking area and the trailhead. Note: The first pitch is a grunt, so don’t be afraid to put it in granny.

Loops Bluffs Loop: Short climb to big views of the Yampa Valley. Access the trail at the Rodeo Stables Trailhead. Climb a short pitch on the Bluffs trail and then take a broad gentle loop through sage-covered hillsides with views of town, the Yampa River and the Steamboat Ski Area.

Quarry Loop: A moderate climb to the Quarry overlook through aspen groves with a twisty, fun descent. Access the trailhead at the Rodeo Stables then ride up the Bluffs Loops-Howelsen Meadows-Ricky’s Ridge-Lupine-Emerald Meadows-Larry’s-Prayer Flag Road-Angry Grouse-Blair Witch. Stop and enjoy the views of Mount Werner and town at the Quarry overlook then head down Little Moab to either the new NPR directional trail or Lupine back to the Bluffs Loop.

Stinger Loop: Sting or bee stung.

Follow the famed Honey Stinger race route for 25 miles of Emerald glory, from the Howelsen base up and over Emerald Mountain. At top, head down the Ridge Trail to Cow Creek Road, where you’ll take a left to the Beall Trailhead. Ride the Beall Trail back up and then head back down however you like (hint: try the new Wild Rose trail) back to the rodeo grounds.

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Joel Reichenberger

Rotary Trail Season: Early May through early November (one of the first trails to open each season due to its low elevation and western aspect) Know before you go: Built by the local Rotary Club, this loop includes wide and smooth trails that wind smoothly through trees and down ridge lines with large berms and dirt rollers that can be pumped or doubled.

This loop is designed to be exciting for the expert rider when ridden fast, yet easy for family riding.

Parking: From the library, head west on 13th Street for approximately 7 miles (Twentymile Road/Routt County Road 33). Turn left on Cow Creek Road (Routt County Road 45) and go 1 mile. Two parking areas are available on the left.

Rating: More difficult (Ridge)/ easy (Rotary) Description: The Rotary Trail is accessed by riding up .65 miles and 125 vertical feet of the Ridge Trail. The Rotary Trail turns left off Ridge Trail and continues to climb 1.5 miles and 210 vertical feet to the summit. With 400 vertical feet of drop, the next 1.5 miles are a roller coaster. From there, it’s a mile back to the trailhead on a gradual upand-down, smooth trail that gains 65 vertical feet back to the trailhead. You can also access it by continuing farther up the Ridge Trail to an alternate access (veer left at the fork if climbing); or as an alternate downhill option when descending Ridge Trail from the top of Emerald Mountain.

However you get there, be prepared for berm- and bankfilled fun.

Trail: 3.3 miles Ascent: 327 feet Descent: 435 feet

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Highest point: 7,171 feet Average grade: 4 percent Max grade: 17 percent

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Beall & Ridge Trails Beall Trail Know before you go: The Beall trail recognizes the efforts of Ben Beall, the 13-year chairman of the Emerald Mountain Partnership who was instrumental in negotiating the land exchange between the State Land Board and the BLM in 2007. The negotiations yielded the largest land swap in Colorado history, adding 4,193 acres of public land called the Special Recreation Area on Emerald Mountain.

Parking and trailheads: You can access the Beall Trail from two places — the top of Emerald Mountain or via Routt County Road 45 (Cow Creek Road). From downtown, head north to 13th Street. Follow 13th as it becomes Routt County Road 33 (Twentymile Road). Take a left off the pavement onto RCR 45 at the bottom of the hill. RCR 45 is dirt, but it is well maintained. The first parking area you will pass accesses the Ridge and Rotary trails. Just a short drive past this trailhead you will see parking for the Beall Trail.

Rating: More difficult Description: The most popular option is to link the Beall Trail as part of a larger loop ride. The easiest option is the Emerald backside loop. Most riders choose to park at the Beall Trailhead, ride up Beall and then descend the Ridge Trail. At the Ridge Trail, it is only a short ride up Cow Creek Road to your car. For the most difficult option, ride the Stinger Loop, which begins at the base of Howelsen Hill climbing to the top of Emerald Mountain, then descending the Ridge Trail, climbing up the Beall Trail and then descending back down the front side of Emerald.

The Beall Trail offers views of Rabbit Ears Pass, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and surrounding ranch land.

You’ll meander through open meadows, pine forests, aspen groves and the beautiful gamble oak forest that is so prevalent on Emerald Mountain. The trail is non-technical singletrack with a gentle grade.

Trail: 6.63 miles Ascent: 1,385 feet Descent: 308 feet

Highest point: 8,195 feet Average grade: 5 percent Max grade: 17 percent

Note: Both the Ridge and Beall trails can be linked together from their respective trailheads on Cow Creek Road for a 13-mile loop, 11.5 of which are on great singletrack. For the easiest climbing, head up Beall and down Ridge. You can also add in the Rotary Trail for an additional loop.

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Ridge Trail Know before you go: The Ridge Trail is another recent addition to the amazing network of trails on Emerald Mountain. Located on the backside of Emerald, it offers stunning views and smooth, tacky riding, with the options to link longer rides, via either the Rotary Trail toward the bottom, or Beall Trail.

Parking: Parking is available at Howelsen Lodge or on Cow Creek Road (Routt County Road 45).

Rating: More difficult Description: To get to the trailhead at Cow Creek, head out Routt County Road 33 (Twentymile Road) and turn left on Cow Creek (RCR 45). You’ll find the trailhead about a mile down on your left.

From the Emerald/downtown side, you have the option of riding up a number of trails to the summit of Emerald Mountain. At the top, follow the two-track along the ridge. To access the trailhead, continue down and to the left just before the closure gate.

Trail: 5.0 miles Ascent: 31 feet Descent: 1,379 feet

Highest point: 8,198 feet Average grade: 6 percent Max grade: 20 percent

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Morning Gloria Trail: 4 miles Ascent: 28 feet Descent: 848 feet

John F. Russell

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Highest point: 8,182 feet Average grade: 4 percent Max grade: 10 percent

Season: Mid-May through mid-October Know before you go: With its 35 switchbacks, this two-directional trail — built just last summer with proceeds from the city’s trail-building funds from the town’s voter-approved accommodations tax — provides one of the easiest, most gradual routes up to the top of Emerald Mountain. The trail can get crowded during lunch and after work, so ride with respect for other users and yield to uphill traffic. A bell can come in handy.

Parking: Access Morning Gloria from the three main trailheads serving the numerous riding options on Emerald Mountain. Parking is available at the rodeo stables, at Howelsen Lodge and at Blackmere Drive. There are public restrooms at Howelsen Lodge.

Rating: More difficult Description: With its whopping 35 switchbacks, or one for every 0.12 miles, this 4.25-mile has become an instant Steamboat classic whose quad-friendly gradient makes it one of the easiest ways up to the top of Emerald Mountain.

(Note: It was built in just two months thanks to Routt Country Rider’s new $100,000 trail-building machine.) Access it by riding up Lower Lupine, and then taking a left at the well-marked trailhead sign. Traversing the east side of Emerald Mountain, its silk-smooth singletrack leads 848 vertical feet up through arching scrub oak caverns, platoons of pine trees and fern-filled aspen groves marred by bear claws back and forth up Emerald Mountain. Upon reaching the top at the junction of the Quarry Mountain and Root Canal trails, you can turn around and enjoy the smooth, flowy and fern-filled ride back down or ride any number of alternate routes back down Emerald Mountain. lt’s also become a favorite way to access longer rides up and over Emerald on the Ridge and Beall trails.

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NeW TrailS: Npr & Wild roSe Joining Morning Gloria and an expanded Ridge Trail parking lot on the west side of Emerald Mountain, two new trails were also built on the front side of Emerald Mountain last year, offering even more great singletrack options for riders.

The new 1.5-mile Wild Rose trail features an average grade of 3 percent and provides a direct connection to the Beall and Ridge Upper trailhead from the front side of Emerald. Riding up, access it about a third of the way up No Mo’ Bluez from the bottom of the Stairway to Heaven climb. From the top, access it just north of the two-track across from the Ridge and Beall trail junction. Perfect for riding up or down, it gives riders a pure singletrack option to access the back side of Emerald.

Plus, it puts you in one of the best aspen groves in town.

No Pedaling Required (NPR) is another great addition

to frontside riding on Emerald. This flowy, rampy and jumpy one-way trail down Emerald between Blackmere Drive and the Orton property line lives up to its name, letting you coast the entire way once you have it wired. It also reduces conflicts between trail users while giving cyclists a better route to the bottom of Emerald. It has four distinct sections: 1) the stretch from its start just up Blackmere Drive from the bottom of little Moab to Prayer Flag Road; 2) the longest stretch between Prayer Flag Road and Blackmere; 3) a section leading from Blackmere across from the start of larry’s Trail to the road’s saddle near the start of lower lupine; and 4) a final shorter, lower section leading to near the top of Howelsen Ski Area. If you like smooth, man-made berms and table tops (that you don’t necessarily have to air out), this trail’s for you.

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COURTESY OF BIKE TOWN USA

SpriNG creek Trail trail: 10.4 miles Ascent: 1,435 feet descent: 1,435 feet

highest point: 8,275 feet Average grade: 5 percent max grade: 25 percent

Season: Mid-May through mid-October Know before you go: This classic from downtown is a local favorite. The trail weaves back and forth over Spring Creek and through aspen forests with about a dozen bridge crossings. It can be done as an up and back down, or a loop connecting Buffalo Pass Road (Routt County Road 38).

Parking: From downtown Steamboat Springs, head north under Fish Creek Falls Road from the Old Town Hotsprings parking lot.

Follow the dirt path to where it intersects Amethyst Drive. The trail, which starts as a dirt road (Routt County Road 34), is directly across the street. If driving, you can park your car here.

Rating: More difficult Description: Begin pedaling up the dirt road (keep an eye out for cars, stay to the right). The road will turn to a doubletrack in about .5 miles. Follow this doubletrack up above Spring Creek Park (featuring two reservoir ponds and gazebo). The first bridge crossing will be in about one-half mile. Stay on this doubletrack for another mile until the trailhead sign. At the sign, climb up a short steep hill to the left and take the immediate right. This is the beginning of the singletrack and the official beginning of the Spring Creek Trail.

From here on, there are no other trails off the wide singletrack.

The trail will cross back and forth over the creek until reaching the summit at Dry lake, approximately 5 miles later. The terrain is mostly hard-packed dirt but does have sections of rocks, roots and gravel.

It is a continuous climb with many short, steep pitches. The trail is not very technical in nature, but the climbs require physical fitness.

There is a total elevation gain of 1,200 feet.

Upon reaching the top, turn around and enjoy the beautiful ride back down. Be careful, this trail is one of the most popular in Steamboat, so encounters with other riders, hikers, dog walkers and equestrians are inevitable.

Note: The upper trail is closed Dec 1– April 15 due to winter range closure.

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loWer bear Season: Early June through October Know before you go: This trail is a beauty, and one of the first high-elevation trails in the Steamboat area to dry out each spring due to its southern exposure. It can also be linked in with several other trails in the area, including Hot Springs Trail, for a great half road/half trail loop from town. As an out and back from lower Bear Trailhead to the summit overlook, expect roughly 4 miles of pedaling with an elevation rise of 1,353 feet.

Parking: The trail starts on the right about a half mile before you reach Strawberry Park Hot Springs on Routt County Road 36 (Hot Springs Road). Park at the pull-out for the lower Bear Trail on the right and look for the singletrack trail heading north from its far end.

Rating: More difficult Description: Break out your energy bar. This Forest Service trail starts out with a bang, without much warm up. Beginning at an elevation of roughly 7,600 feet, the trail heads north at first, before turning east and climbing the scrub oakfilled hillside with a series of switchbacks. After 1.6 miles, or about half an hour, you’ll reach the old Two-Track Trail, which

is even steeper. Turn left and climb another 0.4 miles (2 miles from trailhead) to the overlook at the top of a saddle and a commanding vista of the Yampa Valley. From there, the trail rolls northeast before contouring across a rocky outcrop and descending to its junction with 4WD Elk Park Road at mile 2.9. The trail ends at a meadow called Elk Park. Turn right on the road and you can descend all the way back to Strawberry Park Road at mile 4.8, where a right turn and short road climb takes you back to your car. You can also head back the way you came on lower Bear, whose smooth, Buff Trail is pure butter to descend. trail: 2.8 miles Ascent: 956 feet descent: 236 feet

highest point: 8,567 feet Average grade: 8 percent max grade: 22 percent

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hoT SpriNGS area Season: Early May through October Know before you go: With southern exposure and quickly draining granitic soils, the hot springs area trails dry out early and offer the longest riding season of all the trails in town. Mad Creek is popular with hikers and their dogs. Please ride carefully and remember to yield the trail to hikers. Also be aware of horse use in this area during the early riding and hunting seasons. Please yield the trail to horses. The Red Dirt Trail has some north-facing slopes and does not melt out as early as the rest of the trail system. Do not ride into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness area, or you could be ticketed.

Parking: Ample parking is available about 5 miles up Routt County Road 129 at the Mad Creek Trailhead and another half mile beyond at the Red Dirt Trailhead (you can also ride RCR 129 directly to each trailhead). The other option is to ride the Strawberry Park Hot Springs Road (Routt County Road 36) to the Hot Springs Trail. Ride this trail down to RCR 129 and then turn right and go 0.25 miles to the trailhead.

Rating: More difficult (Mad Creek)/very difficult (Red Dirt)

JOEl REICHENBERGER hiGhliGhTed Trail Mad Creek/Red Dirt Loop: This loop climbs from the Mad Creek parking area up to the historic barn. look for the Swamp Park Trailhead sign on your left. Climb through aspen and lodgepole forests before descending the steep and technical Red Dirt Trail. A short spin along the road returns riders to the trailhead.

These trails all link up essentially at the top of the Mad Creek trail, and offer a little something for everyone. From here, riders can follow the meandering trail by the historic barn and bordering a gorgeous alpine meadow to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness boundary, over to the Red Dirt Trail (see above), or across Mad Creek onto double track and loop back to either the Hot Springs Trail or the Mad Creek trailhead parking lot. No matter your route, you’ll likely see birds of prey, deer or elk, fox and other wildlife. You’ll also encounter other trail users, so ride under control. The long locals’ ride starts in town, rides out Strawberry Park Road to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs, down the Hot Springs Trail, up Mad Creek, down Red Dirt, then back up Hot Springs (for a postride soak) and finally back into town. Note: The Forest Service and Routt County Riders recently finished a re-route of a portion of the Hot Springs Trail to fix an erosion problem.

Note: Mandatory winter closure for trail and parking lot Dec. 1 – April 15 to protect winter range habitat. trail: 10.2 miles Ascent: 1,298 feet descent: 1,325 feet

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highest point: 7,581 feet Average grade: 5 percent max grade: 31 percent

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Divide Trail Season: Late July through mid-October Know before you go: If you have time for one high alpine ride in Steamboat, make it this one. This rolling, scenic trail, once the route for Ride4Yellow, is a classic Steamboat epic, with moderate technical sections, buff singletrack and sweeping views.

This trail is referred to by three different names (Wyoming Trail, Divide Trail and Trail 1101). Don’t be confused — they all lead to the same great place. You will need two cars or a shuttle driver.

Your car will be left at Dumont Lake, with the ride ending back in Steamboat. Check with local bike shops for trail conditions, and be aware of early season snow and/or fallen trees.

Parking: From Steamboat, take U.S. Highway 40 east for 20 miles over Rabbit Ears Pass. Turn left toward Dumont Lake. Pass the campground entrances then turn left toward Base Camp (there is a large boulder in the middle of the road with a plaque on it). Park your car 300 yards up Base Camp Road on the right hand side.

Rating: More difficult+ Description: Look for the start of the trail on the opposite side of Base Camp Road. You will quickly come out onto the campground road. Continue straight on the campground road until you take slight right onto Trail 1101 (Wyoming/Divide Trail).

Initially, the trail follows an old roadbed along an irrigation ditch.

Head left after crossing a small creek and begin your first steep climb. The trail will roll along, cross another creek, and 4 miles from the start, you will come out on Base Camp Road. Turn left on Base Camp Road and climb for about half a mile to Base Camp Trailhead. (Option: You can ride or drive Base Camp Road to this point to avoid 4 miles of singletrack).

At the Base Camp Trailhead, begin a fun, twisty descent over many water bars. After the descent, you’ll cross a creek and a climb up to Fishhook Lake (a good spot for a snack). After riding along the east side of the lake, look for a left turn to continue on Trail 1101 (don’t go to Lost Lake). More rolling terrain with a few rocky sections will take you past Lake Elmo and to an obvious four-way intersection, which is another great spot for a snack or to regroup.

Turn left onto Fish Creek Falls Trail (1102), which rolls downhill toward Long Lake. Stay right as you first approach the lake and then continue onto Trail 1102 (don’t go to Fish Creek Reservoir). Another 0.8 fairly flat miles later, turn left and begin climbing Mountain View Trail (1032). The trail climbs a few loose switchbacks then rolls through the forest, then climbs again. At the top, you’re rewarded with gorgeous views across Rabbit Ears Pass and a nice spot for a break. A couple more miles of rolling terrain take you to Steamboat Ski Resort. Head left on the resort’s dirt road to connect with Pete’s Wicked Trail to begin the descent.

The best route down is Pete’s Wicked Trail, right on Cathy’s Cut off, right onto Sunshine Trail, and left on the dirt road. From there, take any number of Steamboat Bike Park trails down to the base of the resort, where the ride ends with a cold beverage. steamboatbiketown.com

Trail: 24.8 miles Ascent: 1,952 feet Descent: 4,589 feet

Highest point: 10,397 feet Average grade: 5 percent Max grade: 21 percent

Other trail options in the area Dumont Lake to Summit Lake on Trail 1101: Descend Buffalo Pass Road to Dry Lake. Ride Spring Creek Trail down into town.

Dumont Lake to Fish Creek Falls Trail: Same directions as Mountain View Trail, but stay on Fish Creek Falls Trail for arguably the most technical descent in the Steamboat area.

Base Camp Road toward Base Camp: Turn left on Trail 1101 and ride back to your vehicle on the singletrack. Easier 8-mile loop, no shuttle required.

Climb Steamboat Ski Area: Use Mountain View to access Divide Trail to Summit Lake and descend Buffalo Pass Road to Spring Creek or Mountain View to Fish Creek Falls Trail.

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Lynx Pass Trail: 16.6 miles Ascent: 2,280 feet

Descent: 2,280 feet Highest point: 10,180 feet

Season: June through October Know before you go: This gorgeous ride stays in great shape throughout the summer. After an hour drive each way, you’ll be rewarded with winding singletrack along Rock Creek.

Parking: Take U.S. Highway 40 east from Steamboat. Follow Colorado Highway 131 south for 39 miles to Colorado Highway 134. Follow Colo. 134 8.2 miles to Forest Road 270 (Lynx Pass). Follow FR 270 3 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 263 for one-quarter mile. (If you pass the restrooms, you’ve gone too far.) Park on the side of the road at the sharp switchback to the right.

Rating: More difficult Description: Leave the road at the outside corner of a sharp switchback in the road. Cross the creek and begin climbing Tepee Creek Trail. Turn left onto FR 263. Continue a moderate climb for about 4 miles. Take a right onto Rock Creek Trail. This starts as an old dirt road for about one-half mile past a closed gate the trail turns into singletrack. The trail descends steeply at first, then follows and crosses Rock Creek a few times. After following the creek, you’ll begin a short climb before descending an old two-track. At the bot-

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tom of the descent, look for a sharp right onto Tepee Creek Trail (1173). Climb along the Tepee Creek drainage back to FR 263. Continue straight across the road to stay on Tepee Creek Trail. Hang on tight for the fast descent back to the trailhead.

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SeedhoUSe area TrailS YIElD TO

trail: 20.9 miles Ascent: 1,682 feet descent: 2,072 feet

highest point: 8,646 feet Average grade: 5 percent max grade: 29 percent ARYEH COPA

Season: late June through September Know before you go: All the trails in this area are shared with equestrians, hikers and motorcyclists, so ride with respect.

Also, hunters use this area in the fall, so wear bright colors. This area was heavily hit by the mountain pine beetle epidemic and while tree clearing had been extensive in years past, it is ongoing. In early season, many trees may be across the trails. Please report any new downfall throughout the season.

Parking: The Seedhouse area offers ample parking in three different locations: the Hinman lake Trailhead, the north entrance to the South Fork Trailhead, and the south entrance to the South Fork Trailhead.

Rating: Very difficult Description: South Fork/Scott’s Run. This approximately 20-mile, moderately technical loop offers a great aerobic workout and spectacular views of the south fork of the Elk River, the Zirkels and the 2002 Hinman burn area (notice the regeneration). The suggested ride is counter-clockwise and prepare for creek crossings.

The Seedhouse area network of trails offers riders of all abilities the opportunity to ride pristine trails and see a wide variety of wildlife, beautiful flowers and the rugged Zirkel range. The trails, located approximately 30 miles north of Steamboat Springs, traverse aspen and lodgepole forests and pass by meandering creeks and streams and glimmering lakes.

In the summer, they allow riders to escape the heat of Steamboat and ride through shady stands of aspens and lodgepole forests connecting to brilliant meadows of columbines. The singletracks are narrow and smooth with few technical interruptions, making for fast and furious fun in the saddle.

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Big Red Park: Manzanares Loop Season: July 1 through mid-October (officially closes Dec. 1) Know before you go: This area has challenging hilly, rocky sections and steep grades. Loose rock portions may require dismounting. Be aware of four-wheel, motorcycle and ATV traffic at all times, as you will be sharing the trail. Be prepared to deal with fallen trees, especially in the early summer before winter timber fall has been cleared.

Parking: Take Routt County Road 129 past Steamboat Lake and Hahn’s Peak Village. Just past Columbine, turn right on Forest Road 550. Proceed north 4 miles and turn right on Forest Road 500. After 2 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 402, which becomes rough and wet with deep holes (4WD recommended). The Farwell Mountain Trailhead (1203) is 1 mile up the road.

Rating: Very difficult Description: Take Farwell Mountain Trail (1203) southeast about 5 miles to Forest Road 409, then follow the road about 3 miles to Wyoming Trail (1101). Take Trail 1101 north about 13 miles to Manzanares Trail (1204). Follow the trail west about 5 miles back to the trailhead. This route is through pine forests and alpine meadows.

The intersection of the Wyoming and Manzanares trails offers views at the top of the Continental Divide. Don’t enter the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, which only allows travel by foot and horseback.

Trail: 21.7 miles Ascent: 1,541 feet

Descent: 1,541 feet Highest point: 10,126 feet

Nipple Peak & Lopez Creek Loop Season: Late June through early October Know before you go: This approximately 20-mile, technical, north Routt loop is a favorite bike ride but is also shared by fourwheelers, ATVs and motorcycles. It’s best ridden in a counter-clockwise loop. The ride is gorgeous during the fall.

Parking: From Steamboat Springs, turn north at Elk River Road and follow Elk River Road (Routt County Road 129) past Columbine to Forest Road 47, on the left just past the Summit Creek Guard Station.

Park off FR 47.

Rating: Very difficult Description: Follow FR 47 clockwise, west. It turns into Trail 1147. This trail winds through aspen groves and spruce, down to Lopez Creek and then connects with Trail 1156. Turn left, staying on Trail 1156 back over the divide and down Willow Creek. This area can be wet in early summer. Stay on Trail 1156 across Forest Road 487 to Forest Road 488. Turn right on FR 488 and travel to the junction with RCR 129. You can stay on the trail back to RCR 129, but at this point, some smoother riding is welcome. Turn left on RCR 129 and return to the starting point.

Other trails can be accessed from the Nipple Peak loop. See map

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Trail: 19.7 miles Ascent: 1,550 feet

Descent: 1,550 feet Highest point: 9,600 feet

and consult local bike shops for more information. Note: This ride is great to access if you’re camping at Hahn’s Peak Lake. steamboatbiketown.com

Three Epic Rides Here for a long weekend? Hit this combo of two mountain bikes rides and one road ride to max out a whirlwind cycling weekend in Steamboat.

Stinger Loop This is one of Steamboat’s most classic rides, taking you 25 miles from downtown, up and over the backside of Emerald Mountain and back, all on different, silky smooth single track the entire way. And get this: it ends right on the Yampa River, which harbors two of the best swimming holes in the valley, the C and D holes. The ride also dumps you straight onto Yampa Street and its myriad, riverside bars just in time for happy hour. (See description under Emerald Mountain.)

Divide Trail Carpool up to Dumont Lake on Rabbit Ears Pass and you’re in for a wilderness ride treat with the nearly 25-mile-long Divide Trail,

which follows the Continental Divide to the top of the ski resort where 3,000 vertical feet of singletrack await. Bonus: hit the Rustler’s Ridge downhill trail from the top of Thunderhead to the bottom, where cold beer awaits. Then all you have to do is Roshambo to see who has to shuttle back up to get the car. (See map under Divide Trail.))

Coal Mine Loop If you have time for only one roadie, make it the Coal Mine Loop, which takes you on a 53.5-mile loop from downtown, out Twentymile Road to the coal mine at the junction of RCR 33 and 27, onto Oak Creek, past Stagecoach reservoir and back on Highway 131 to Steamboat Springs and a dip in the river before a wellearned refueling stop. (See map under Road Rides.)

Lunch loops

Road Bike: Downtown to Hilton Gulch school house via Cty Rd 14

This is a great lunch hour ride along the valley. Drivers are used to seeing bikes and recent resurfacing has provided a more consistent surface.

Leave downtown via 5th Street, cross the railroad tracks and turn left onto River Road before following the Yampa River out of town. The rolling terrain allows you to set you own pace (push on each rise and fall only if you want to). At the intersection of Cty Rd 14F (4 miles) turn right staying on Cty Rd 14. At 6.9 miles follow the road around to the right and slightly uphill onto RCR35. At 7.9 miles follow the road around to the left staying on RCR35. At 8.7 miles comes a short climb. Either turn around here or continue up the half-mile hill to the right where Cty Rd 41 and RCR35 merge.

At just over 10 miles you’ll arrive at the old school house at Hilton Gulch. Turn around here for a fast descent retracing your path.

Mountain Bike: Downtown to Emerald Mountain Quarry

This is an awesome, steady, intermediate mountain bike ride on Emerald, with the reward a view from the Quarry across to the ski mountain and a fast return to town.

Leave downtown via 5th Street. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right toward Howelsen Hill. At the intersection go left and arrive at the horse stables. Turn right just past the stables and then steamboatbiketown.com

immediately left, taking the first singletrack going uphill. Bear right at the top of the rise for the short whoop-de-do down and up again. Bear left and up at the first intersection. After a smooth cruise on level singletrack, bear left at the next intersection onto the Bluffs Overlook. At the next intersection bear left and uphill out onto the Bluffs. After a short climb, follow a smooth, mellow section south along the flank of Emerald before curving around up to the next intersection where you bear left and continue up.

Follow Ricky’s Ridge trail on your left until you see the Lupine Trail on your left. Stay on this flowy singletrack all the way up until you pop out with a choice to ascend the “Steamboat Moab” slick rock (a sharp left), or a gravel road spin to the Quarry.

For the return, descend the road and look for the Blair Witch Trail that disappears left into the woods after about 50 yards. Bear right at the first fork and left at the second, which heads slightly uphill. At the intersection of a two track road, take a right and continue downhill. Look for a left turn onto the MGM trail after the second bend. Stay left until you come almost to a meadow, turning right and uphill briefly onto Eye-2-Eye. Follow this tight, winding trail until it dumps out onto the bottom of MGM trail. Take a right and after 100 yards bear left onto Molly’s. Stay left at the first fork, them right at the fork at the bottom across a small wooden bridge. A short uphill connects you back to Blackmere Drive (gravel road). Turn left and down and then stay right, crossing to Mile Run. Follow the singletrack back down to town.

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road & miXed rideS tWentymile road

TWeNTymile oUT aNd back

A local’s favorite with rolling hills, plus a few hardy climbs, nice pavement and relatively low vehicle traffic, especially on weekends.

From downtown Steamboat Springs, turn off lincoln Avenue at the library onto 13th Street. This will turn into Routt County Road 33 (Twentymile Road). There is about 5 miles of open range, so pay close attention for cattle on the quick valley descents. It’s 40 miles out and back if you make it to the coal mine at the junction of RCR 33 and Routt County Road 27.

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For a loop variation of the ride (46 miles), continue south on Routt County Road 27, where you’ll need to climb the Three Sisters (to be PC) before descending back into the small town of Oak Creek. Head back on Colorado Highway 131 toward Steamboat Springs. Turn off on Routt County Road 14 to enjoy a low rolling hills back into town.

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For a slightly longer loop option head west on U.S. Highway 40 from downtown Steamboat Springs. At 19 miles take a left on Routt County Road 27. Continue for 18 miles. At the intersection of RCR 27 and Routt County Road 33 (Twentymile Road), turn left and follow RCR 33 back into Steamboat Springs. Be prepared for two really steep climbs as you return on RCR 33.

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Steamboat’s signature 111-mile “century” ride.

Head south from town on U.S. Highway 40 climbing over Rabbit Ears Pass, followed by some fast descending and rollers to Wolford Mountain Reservoir just before Kremmling.

Turn right onto Colorado Highway 134 for a scenic ride over Gore Pass. Descending from Gore Pass, turn right at the intersection with Colorado Highway 131 through Toponas and head north. It’s best to start this ride early in the morning to avoid traffic on U.S. 40 and to turn the corner at Toponas before the afternoon winds or storms pick up. Take an extra water bottle, too. It’s about 70 miles before your first chance for a snack in Toponas. distance: 111.8 miles duration: 6 to 10 hours Aerobic: strenuous

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road & miXed rideS continued from page 29 STeamboaT SpriNGS

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STaGecoach & oak creek loop A 42-mile classic Steamboat loop.

From Steamboat Springs head south on Routt County Road 14 (River Road). At the junction of Routt County Road 35, veer left across the railroad tracks onto RCR 14E and continue to the intersection with Colorado Highway 131. Go right on Colo. 131 for a brief stretch, then turn left back onto RCR 14 heading to Stagecoach. Ride over Yellow Jacket Pass, past Stagecoach Reservoir and intersect again with Colo. 131. Turn right on Colo. 131 and head into Oak Creek. From Oak Creek, stay on Colo. 131, roll through the canyon and come back toward town, then turn left back onto RCR 14E to ride back in on River Road.

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Gorgeous riding through small towns and historic ranches along the Elk River.

Head north from Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road 129 for a scenic, rolling ride through the Elk River Valley. Turn around at Clark for a 36mile round trip. For some adventure, turn right onto Routt County Road 64 (Seedhouse Road) just past Clark and head out to the end of the pavement at the Hinman Park turnaround for a 50-mile round trip. The Seedhouse Road section has narrow shoulders and some rough pavement but is not heavily traveled.

For a longer ride, from Clark continue on RCR 129 over Willow Creek Pass, past Hahn’s Peak Village and Steamboat lake and climb up to Columbine, where you can turn around (making it a 63-mile round trip from Steamboat Springs). And if that doesn’t suit your fancy, make an out and back on Seedhouse Road before riding up to Columbine for a total of 73.5 miles in some of Colorado’s most beautiful countryside.

Note: Shoulder width varies significantly along the length of Elk River Road (RCR 129) and can get tight between Steamboat Springs and Clark.

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Equal parts pavement and dirt on this fun mixed ride around the Sleeping Giant.

Head north on Elk River Road and past the Steamboat Airport to Routt County Road 44 where you veer left onto the dirt road.

Continue out over the Elk River toward the Sleeping Giant and the farms that dot the countryside. Ride RCR 44 until it hits U.S. Highway 40 and then turn left for a pavement section that will take you east toward Steamboat. After the quick spin on the flat pavement, turn right onto Routt County Road 33A. Pass over the railroad tracks and onto the dirt/gravel, then continue on RCR 33A until you intersect Twentymile Road. Take a left onto Twentymile and make the easy spin on pavement back to town. This ride is a perfect 22 miles, with an estimated time of just over an hour. distance: 21.86 miles duration: 1 to 1.5 hours Aerobic: moderate

technical: intermediate Ascent: 1,150 feet highest point: 6,920 feet

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road coNSTrUcTioN UpdaTe While Routt County Road and Bridge field coordinator Geovanny Romero maintains “road riding will be great this summer, with most roads in fantastic shape and ready for cycling,” a handful of road construction projects might affect your ride. Following is a snapshot of what to expect: paved roads: In July, August and September, weather permitting, work will be done on the below. All projects will have an optional detour and roads won’t be comsteamboatbiketown.com

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A Routt County mixed-gravel classic.

Head out of town on 13th Street (Twentymile Road) up and over the first major climb and take a left onto Routt County Road 43, where the gravel begins. Continue around the back side of Emerald Mountain, bearing right onto Routt County Road 41.

After the steep descent down to the Hilton Gulch schoolhouse, take a left back onto the pavement and continue down, merging with Routt County Road 35, then go left on Routt County Road 14 (River Road), which will bring you back to town. Ride the loop in reverse for a challenging climb up Hilton Gulch. This is a 28mile loop with about 6 miles of well-maintained gravel roads. distance: 27.9 miles duration: 2 to 3 hours Aerobic: moderate

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pletely blocked for more than 48 hours.

Work will not likely be performed on the weekends. County Roads 15 and 17 (South Routt): culvert replacements in July, depending on the water flows; County Road 16 ( from CR14 to CR212): new asphalt for 1.5 miles; County Road 14: one-inch leveling and two-inch overlay starting at Colorado Highway 131 at Oak Creek for 2.4 miles east toward CR16; County Road 15: two-inch overlay starting at Colo. 131 to CR17 for 3.8 miles; County Road 17: two-inch overlay

starting at CR15 to Yampa for 4.5 miles.

Gravel/dirt roads: New gravel will be added to several roads in Routt County, but traffic should not be affected. Re-gravel projects will not be conducted on the weekends. County Roads 21 and 76 south bridges also will be replaced this year, with a bypass made available, and the county’s dust abatement program will begin the second week of May on the county’s major unpaved roads.

For updated info, visit: www.co.routt. co.us/index.aspx?nid=198 2016 ride Guide 31

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Routt County Riders

Routt County Riders’ trail division carves out a new trail.

An IMBA Chapter Fruits of RCR’s labor

Putting in more than 1,000 man hours of volunteer work every year, Routt County Riders’ trail-building efforts can be seen far and wide throughout the Yampa Valley.

Thanks to the purchase of a new Single Track 240 trail-building machine (with a fundraising match

by Yampa Valley Bank and support from Moots), in the past two years RCR’s trails division has completed the 4.25-mile Morning Gloria trail, designed the Wild Rose trail and built the directional No Pedaling Required (NPR) trail on Emerald Mountain. As well as spearheading additional trails on Emerald, RCR Trail Builders is also working in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service on a new series of trails in the Buffalo Pass area.

steamboatbiketown.com

Aryeh Copa Routt County Riders began in the early 1990s as a group of mountain bikers interested in addressing a need for building and maintaining the trail system in our county. In the early 2000s, local road cyclists started showing up to meetings asking for representation to advocate for safer roads. With an interest and vision in supporting all cycling related activities, our membership grew, and we began to support programs for youth cycling, community cycling initiatives and advocacy, and both mountain and road cycling.

Today we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Chapter (imba. com) and a Bicycle Colorado (bicyclecolorado.org) organization that continues to grow and represent more variations of biking, including downhill/freeride, BMX, dirt jump, commuting and urban cycling, fat biking, and adaptive cycling.

Routt County Riders is a volunteerbased, membership-driven organization.

As a bicycle advocacy group, we offer input to, and through numerous governmental agencies including: CDOT, Northwest Transportation Region, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Routt County, the City of Steam-

boat Springs, the Emerald Mountain Partnership, and others. We advocate for cycling as method of transportation, a mechanism for fitness, and a way to have fun. We work with our community, locals and tourists alike to promote cycling, and do what we can to enhance all forms of cycling on trails, roads, and pathways in Routt County.

Our mission is to unite all bicyclists in Steamboat Springs, and Routt County through trails, roads, and pathways; education; and events with the goal of creating a fun, healthy, and safe bicycle friendly community.

To learn more, or join us in membership, visit us at routtcountryriders.org.

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AprÈs biking downtown Yampa Street, just moments away from the trails of Emerald Mountain, is the perfect location for post-pedal fuel and libations, from a cold beer by the river to a filling sandwich in the sun. Following is an alphabetized rundown: Devon Balet One by a creek: Creekside Cafe The Creekside Café, with a patio on the banks of Soda Creek, is known for its homemade goodness, from fresh baked bread and granola to handcrafted salad dressings, sauces and more. For breakfast, choose from gigantic breakfast burritos, French toast with cinnamon cream cheese and 13 different Eggs Benedicts with homemade Hollandaise sauce to fuel your day’s ride. 970-879-4925, 131 11th St.

Aurum Food & Wine Seasonal new American fare, with a Colorado-focused craft cocktail, beer and regional wine program along the Yampa River. 970-879-9500, 811 Yampa

Carl’s Tavern Home of comfort food and big screen

Sake2U Hop off your cycle straight into some outdoor deck to view the terrain you just rode on Emerald Mountain. 970-8701019, 609 Yampa St.

TVs, Carl’s will fill your belly and entertain with great bluegrass bands. Try the Rocky Mountain Mule. 970-761-2060, 700 Yampa St.

What’s not to like about pizza or calzones and beer after a long ride?

970-879-5805, 41 Eighth St. Double Z Bar & Bar BQ If you’ve really worked up an appetite, head to Double Z for barbecue ribs and fries. 970-879-0849, 1124 Yampa St. E3 Chophouse

2016 bike Guide

7167, 701 Yampa St.

sushi or cold beer. Grab a seat on the

St.

Cugino’s Pizzeria

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and deck overlooking the river. 970-879-

Scratch Scratch prides itself on serving affordable, rustic mountain fare, with a great happy hour from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Try the pork tenderloin or fried avocado app.

Tuesday through Saturday. 970-761-2586, 700 Yampa St. Sunpie’s Bistro Riverside, outdoor seating and Hurricanes that should be consumed with caution. 970-870-3360, 735 Yampa St. Sweet Pea Restaurant and Market

Swing by for happy hour beers and

Healthy, hearty salad sound good, as

bar food (or an all-natural, Angus beef

well as a cold adult beverage? Sweet Pea

steak), complete with a beautiful lawn

is your spot. 970-879-1221, 729 Yampa St. steamboatbiketown.com

Of bikes and brews Hit a local brewery after your ride Three breweries call Steamboat home, all offering a great way to sample suds after your ride with a mix of fill-your-own growlers, mug clubs, tasting rooms and more. Hit up all three on your next aprèspedal adventure.

Butcherknife Brewing Butcherknife Brewing operates a 4,000-squarefoot brewery with tap room — complete with tasting room and two garage doors opening to a patio — at 2875 Elk River Road. It produces 60 kegs every 20 days, and its beer can be found in bars throughout town. Hint: Try the Best of the Boat-winning Amputator to replenish those lost carbs from your ride.

The brewery prides itself on its recipes, attention to detail and good ol’ Steamboat water.

“It’s the best water in Colorado, straight from the Continental Divide,” says co-founder Mark Fitzgerald. Co-founder Nate Johansing keeps the recipes real, earning his master’s degree in brewing from the Siebel Institute of Technology and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany.

“It’s the perfect place to stop after your ride,” Fitzgerald adds.

Info: www.butcherknifebrewing.com Storm Peak Brewing Co. If you ride Divide Trail down from the top of the resort, it’s 3,832 vertical feet to the Storm Peak Brewing Co. tasting room at 1744 Lincoln Ave. The brewhouse makes its beer in a new 2,000-squarefoot facility with tap room and bar up front. Everything it makes — from crisp Golden Ale to darker Black Ale and seasonal styles in between — is sold on premises, meaning you can’t find it anywhere else.

“We’re focused on tap room sales and creating an atmosphere where people can enjoy our prod-

uct,” co-founder Wyatt Patterson says.

The brewery recently added two new fermenters and a brite tank, enabling it to store up to 42 barrels at a time.

“We’re proud to call Steamboat home and love sharing our passion for beer,” Patterspm adds.

Info: www.stormpeakbrewing.com Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill Mahogany Ridge at 435 Lincoln Ave. downtown offers the closest homemade microbrews you’ll find to any trail in town. It offers seven handcrafted beers on tap, including its famous Alpenglow, Uncle Daryl’s Dunkleweizen, and a variety of light, wheat, brown ale, IPA and other recipes.

“We’re a brew pub versus a micro-brewery,” says owner Charlie Noble, touting its taster sampler.

“Brewing is where my passion is, and all our offerings are great.”

Mahogany’s happy hour is also a local favorite, letting you sample a taster tray of eight, 4-ounce beers alongside the best and most affordable tapas menu in town.

Info: www.mahoganyridgesteamboat.com Mountain Tap Brewery In June, bikers will be able to enjoy a brand new brewery downtown along Yampa Street when Mountain Tap Brewery opens its doors at the former Yampa Valley Electric Association headquarters at 910 Yampa Street. Owned by Wendy and Rich Tucciarone, who previously served as head brewer at Denver’s Breckenridge Brewery and vice president of brewery operations at Hawaii’s Kona Brewing Co., the brewery will offered hand-crafted pizza and homemade beers, which can be enjoyed from a new patio across the street from the river.

Info: www.mountaintapbrewery.com

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STeamboaTbikeToWN.com wAnt informAtion About LocAL trAiLs And riding conditions At your fingertiPs? A visit to Bike Town USA’s web site at www. steamboatbiketown.com makes it easier than ever to learn everything about riding in Steamboat.

The site is filled with maps, event calendars and photos, as well as lodging, dining and aprèsbike information. It also features an online ride guide offering descriptions, directions and difficulty ratings for road and trail rides throughout the Yampa Valley. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely family cruise, adrenaline-filled downhill, smooth cross-country jaunt or road ride, you will find everything you need to get started here. “It’s a great tool for anyone looking for information on riding in Steamboat,” says Bike Town USA director Amy Stern. “It’s filled with a ton of great information on local rides.”

Info: steamboatbiketown.com

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katie Lindquist The face behind the Tour de Steamboat As co-owner of Eriksen Cycles and organizer of the annual Tour de Steamboat, accomplished competitive cyclist Katie Lindquist is hardly spinning her wheels in Steamboat.

Her passion for the local biking community shines through in the annual Tour de Steamboat, a race coming up on its 14th year that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local nonprofit organizations. The 2000 World Champion 24-hour Mountain Bike racer is still in the game as an integral part of the Steamboat biking community with an impact that spans far beyond the borders of the ‘Boat.

Bike Guide: When did you move to Steamboat and why?

Lindquist: I moved here part-time at first in 1994 to teach skiing, and then full time in 2000 to train for the Race Across America. I met Kent Eriksen in 2001 and never left. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bike Guide: What’s your role at Eriksen Cycles?

Lindquist: I’m the woman behind the man. I do a little of everything: operations of all kinds, bookkeeping, customer service, media, IT, housekeeping, shipping and receiving, design work; you name it and I try to do it.

Bike Guide: What do you like about Steamboat?

Lindquist: It has small town everything.

I like being embraced by a community that cares, gives back, helps out and supports all the outdoor activities I love to take part in.

Bike Guide: How about the local biking community?

Lindquist: It’s fantastic, it truly is. The riders here are enthusiastic, flexible and supportive of all styles of riding: road, cross, enduro, downhill, and off-road.

We have it all.

Bike Guide: What’s your favorite thing about the Tour de Steamboat?

Lindquist: Watching all those riders

head out at the start and seeing them all come back happy and in good shape at the end. That just makes me smile. Gifting our beneficiaries is a good part; too; it makes me cry. Most of all, I love the camaraderie we share as board members.

Individually, none of us could afford to make the donation we do to our beneficiaries, but together we are able to put on an incredible event, raise the funds and make our efforts matter.

— Annie Martin

Matt Stensland steamboatbiketown.com

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Share The road steAmboAt’s new shAre the roAd cAmPAign, A PArtnershiP between the city, routt county And LiveweLL northwest coLorAdo, is mAking riding sAfer thAn ever.

Introduced last year, the campaign includes new educational graphics and posters, an enhanced website (www.steamboatsprings.net/biketrails) dedicated to trail etiquette and road rules, and a new Safe Roads to School map (www.saferoutessteamboat.org).

A grant from liveWell helped create the educational materials, which also include a biking safety poster encouraging riders to stay on the right side of the road, ride single file, use hand signals and not ride on sidewalks. Friendly reminders for motorists include checking for pedestrians when making left-hand turns and being more aware of cyclists on the road.

Safe roUTeS To School

Safe bike ridiNG TipS PRePaRinG to RiDe

RiDinG awaReness anD saFetY

• Choose the route with the fewest streets to cross, even if it’s longer.

• Before entering a street, look for other vehicles to the left, right, in front and behind.

• Wear brightly colored clothes. Tie your shoes and secure long laces and loose pants. don’t wear headphones.

• Wear a properly fitted helmet (no more than two fingers between chin and chin strap).

• Check that tires are firm and brakes work.

• Ride a bike that fits (when straddling, both feet should be firmly planted on the ground; when seated, hands should reach the handlebars).

• Don’t carry anyone else on your bike or anything in your hands (use a backpack or basket).

• If riding in the dark, use headlights, tail lights and reflectors and wear bright clothing with reflective material. steamboatbiketown.com

• Pay attention to your surroundings. watch for other vehicles and hazards, such as potholes and parked cars.

• Watch for vehicles turning into or exiting driveways.

• Watch for parked vehicles that may back up, pull forward or open a door.

• Ride in a straight line with two hands on the handlebars unless signaling.

• Before changing lanes or turning, always check in front and behind for traffic.

• On sidewalks or paths, ride slowly and be prepared to stop quickly. Pedestrians have the right-of-way.

steamboat’s safe routes to school program is a communitywide effort aimed at making it easy and safe for kids to commute by bike or foot. the program recently received a $24,000 safe routes to school grant from the state for its efforts organizing safety and skills rallies, producing promotional materials (including a safe routes to school map), providing volunteer cross walk patrols. “it’s a great way to get kids ready for riding around town,” says coordinator sally cariveau cariveau. info: www.saferoutessteamboat. com. road SafeTy for moToriSTS • Be courteous, share the road and obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.

• When passing a bicyclist, allow at least three feet of space between the widest point of your vehicle and the widest point of the cyclist. to pass a cyclist safely, you may cross a double yellow center line when oncoming traffic is clear.

• Dismount if crossing at a stop light crosswalk.

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Bike Shop Roundup Orange Peel Bicycle Service Founded in 1999, Orange Peel, located at 1136 Yampa St., is Steamboat’s only bikes-only bike shop, and it shows.

“That’s what differentiates us,” says owner Brock Webster, a former U.S. Elite rider. “We focus solely on bikes.”

With a peak season staff of 11, whose combined experience totals hundreds of years, the shop offers rentals (high-end demos, cruisers, kids bikes, trailers and more), service and retail, carrying such lines as Moots, Pivot, Ellsworth, Ridley and Orbea — brands Webster maintains are perfect for the “enthusiast” rider.

“We’re not a cookie-cutter store,” he says. “We choose our lines carefully. We also stock a greater number of parts than

any shop I’ve ever seen. Service is the engine that keeps things rolling around here.”

Info: www.orangepeelbikes.com, 970-879-2957 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare When Harry Martin moved to Steamboat from Jackson, Wyoming, in 1995, he saw an opening for a ski and bike store focused on service. Located at 442 Lincoln Ave., with another storefront on the mountain, Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare has been voted town’s best bike shop three years in a row.

“Our bike mechanics are some of the best in the business,” shop manager Derek Hudson says. “The business is always changing, and they know how to fix anything.”

Bestsellers on the retail side include Trek, Giant and Italian road bike manufacturer Wilier. With 20 employees in peak riding season, the store offers rentals (high-end demos, hybrid road bikes, front- and full-suspension mountain bikes, child bikes, tag-a-longs, trailers and more), retail and repairs, catering to locals as much as visitors.

“Our staff is very passionate about riding,” says Martin, whose store sponsors the Town Challenge series, Steamboat Stage Race, Bike to Work Week and more. “We cater to all aspects of riding, from people wanting cruisers for local mustache rides to mountain and road bikers. Steamboat’s just a fantastic bike town.”

Info: www.steamboatskiandbike.com, 970-879-9144

21205183

10% OFF 10% OFF Best Available Rates Sunday-Thursday

• Located on the Steamboat Springs Trail System • All Rooms equipped with 32” flat screen TV, microwave & mini refrigerator

Must Call Direct 970-879-6669 Ask for “Bike Special”

• Complimentary full hot breakfast • Pool & hot tub • Free Wi-Fi Quality Inn And Suites • 970-879-6669 • 1055 Walton Creek Drive Steamboat Springs, Colorado • www.Steamboat-Hotel.com 32

2016 bike Guide

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Other Rental Locations Boomerang Sports Exchange Buying and selling used mountain, road and cruiser bikes, with sales and rentals of Jamis mountain bikes, and sales of Nirve cruisers, bike accessories and kids’ bikes downtown.

1125 Lincoln Ave., www. boomerangexchange.com, 970-870-3050 Christy Sports Trek full- and front-suspension mountain bike rentals. Child bikes and trailers also available. Helmets included.

1835 Central Park Plaza, www.christysports.com, 970-879-1250, One Stop Ski Shop Ski Haus With some of his store’s bike technicians working there for more than four decades, Ski Haus manager Murray Selleck credits Ski Haus’s success to a staff that’s passionate about riding. Come summer, the store’s newly expanded basement turns into a beehive of bike activity, offering rentals (full- and front-suspension mountain bikes, road bikes, cruisers, child bikes, tandems, trailers, tag-a-longs and more), repairs and retail. Garage doors open up outside to create a great open atmosphere, and the store strives to offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros.

“Our retail line is extensive, with prices in performance for everyone,” Selleck says.

Locals tip: Visit when the Specialized and Rocky Mountain demo vans roll in.

Info: 1457 Pine Grove Road, www.skihaussteamboat.com, 970-879-0385 Wheels Bicycle Shop Wheels is a small, independently owned and operated bike shop located along the Yampa River downtown, specializing in tunes and sales.

“We gain our clients by friendly customer service, word-of-mouth referrals and our knowledge of bikes,” says owner Chris Johns, a former competitive rider.

Wheels is Steamboat’s Yeti Cycles dealership, happily bringing customers into the folds of the “Tribe.” It services bikes of all walks — including mountain, racing road, freeriding, downhill, townie and more — and offers a complete rental (cruisers, mountain and road) and demo line as well. It also prides itself on giving back to the community, supporting such organizations as the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and the “Giving Bikes Back” refurbishing and donation program.

Info: 841 Yampa St., www.wheelssteamboat.com, 970-870-1974

steamboatbiketown.com

Rentals of mountain bikes, as well as rechargeable electric bikes.

35 11th St., Suite 130, www.onestopskishop.net, 970-879-4754 Steamboat Bike Shop The most convenient location to the Steamboat Bike Park.

Fleet includes full-suspension, downhill mountain bikes from Specialized and more. Rentals include a full face helmet, shin and elbow pads and bike gloves. Cruisers also available, as well as gondola tickets, bike park passes, lessons and guided tours. www.steamboat.com, 970-871-5348

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SKI HAUS HAS THE BIKES, SELECTION, & SERVICE TO MAKE EVERY RIDE FUN

Steamboat’s Largest Fleet of Rental Bikes.

Mountain, Road, Comfort, Cruisers, Kids & Trailers.

Best Retail Selection featuring Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Cervelo, Santa Cruz, Fox, Giro, Pearl Izumi, Hincapie and tons more!

Ski Haus . 879.0385 . Open Monday through Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Sunday 9 am to 5 pm.

Highway 40 and Pine Grove Road . www.skihaussteamboat.com

serving food until Live Music Most Nights!

MidnigHt

GR E AT FO R L AR GE GR OU P S!

729 Lincoln Ave. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 • (970) 879-2431

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Chick Picks 5 local women’s favorite rides Cathy Wiedemer, Moots PR manager “The Emerald Mountain road bike loop; it rides perfectly either clockwise or counter-clockwise from town.

I love the serenity of the rural country side, the variety of mixed surfaces, rolling past grazing cattle, the soaring hawks, and the landscape views of the ski area. I especially like the little red school house. As I turn the pedals, I envision what a day-in-the-life of a Routt County student was like back then. I’m grateful these landmarks are still standing as reminders of Steamboat’s past.”

Caroline Lalive, two-time Downhill/ SuperG Olympian “Larry’s Trail on Emerald Mountain, finishing with a quick trip across Prayer Flag Meadow. It reminds of a giant slalom ski race, with its sweeping, banked turns.

The meadow feels like my own private oasis. I often stop and marvel at this hidden spot in the middle of town. It’s one of my favorite places in Steamboat.”

Kelly Boniface, professional mountain bike racer “No question — Emerald Mountain is my favorite place to ride in the whole valley. I can coast down from my house and be riding fantastic singletrack in just five minutes. With the new trails on the backside, I can ride up there all day and never do the same trail twice. It’s a gem right in our backyard.”

Abigail Slingsby, former Mountain States Cup rider, women’s clinic organizer “I love the Lupine trail. It’s an oldie but one of the originals and still one of my favorites. It was where I learned to fall off my bike and where I learned to stay on. It offers something for everyone. Rich, black dirt and lush, green terrain followed by rocky ascents reward you with spectacular views of town.”

Amy Stern, Director, Bike Town USA “I like the ride to Catamount, around the lake, up the hill and down to where the pavement ends at Sarvis Creek. Then I turn around and come back, heading over the rollers on River Road. There’s a spot where the road winds between ranches, affording an amazing view of horses and barns with the mountains in the background. It’s the classic Steamboat landscape and the best place to see it is from a bike saddle.” steamboatbiketown.com

Women’s programs There’s no shortage of samegender riding mates for women in Routt County, with two ways to get out and ride with other women: It’s a Girl’s Thing for the younger set; and Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare’s free Women’s Ride Nights.

It’s a Girl Thing: The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club hosts this program for girls ages 6th grade and up. Designed to teach middle and high school girls the skills and fun of mountain biking by riding with their peers, the six-week program is held Monday and Thursday mornings from June 20 - Aug. 8. “Participation has grown each year we’ve offered it,” says program director Blair Seymour. “We get more and more girls interested every summer.” Info: sswsc.org Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Ride Nights: This program is held throughout the summer every Tuesday from June 7-Aug. 30. Women of all levels are invited to meet at 5:45 pm at the courthouse lawn with their mountain bike, water and trail tools.

Free clinics follow each night at 7 p.m., focusing on different skills each time. The group ride nights are non-guided, with the girls in each group deciding the route.

“We spend the first 15 minutes chatting about bikes, technical issues and getting to know each other,” says Slingsby. “Then we form groups and leave for our sessions, separating into ability levels catering to every rider. We hope these rides enable more women to meet, bond and ride together.”

After the ride, everyone meets up for dinner and story telling. Info: facebook.com/skiandbikewomen.

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Titans of titanium Moots, Kent Eriksen Cycles call Steamboat home Moots Celebrating its 35th anniversary handcrafting high-performance titanium road, mountain and cyclocross bikes in Steamboat Springs, Moots was recently purchased by former telecommunications executive and avid rider Brent Whittington, who has no plans to change its successful, award-winning formula.

“We’re fortunate to be surrounded by incredible singletrack and great, scenic roadways,” says marketing manager Jon Cariveau, crediting the company’s success to its designs and a staff that lives and breathes cycling. “Our employees take advantage of the riding every day.”

As part of the celebration, Moots is rolling out a 35th anniversary Vamoots RSL road bike, joining such other new rides as its Mountaineer and Vamoots Disc RSL, and beefing up such events as its popular Moots Ranch Rally ride June 18. It also plans to build upon its ample awards, including being a 2014 Wright Awards finalist for companies celebrating Colorado’s culture; a Colorado Company to Watch by the State Office of Economic Development; a Sustainable Business of the Year in Steamboat; and one of the “Perk”iest Companies in Colorado

by ColoradoBiz Magazine.

Supporting the town it loves, Moots sponsors numerous community and industry advocacy movements, from local trail work days to the SSWSC’s Cycling Team. Placing importance on potecting the environment, it also employs a cutting-edge recycling program and solar system to power its manufacturing.

steamboatbiketown.com

“We strive to design and build the most innovative, high-performance titanium bikes in the industry,” says Cariveau. “We’re proud of our bikes, our team and the town we call home.”

Moots offers guided factory tours Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. Info: moots.com, 970-879-1676 Kent Eriksen Cycles Tip your helmet to another titanium titan, Kent Eriksen, for building great bikes and helping introduce mountain biking to Steamboat and the entire country. As the owner of Sore Saddle Cyclery in the 1970s, Eriksen produced the region’s first cycling map before founding Moots in 1981. Elected into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1996, he then founded Kent Eriksen Cycles in 2005.

The company produces 200 frames per year and makes bikes of all styles — road, mountain, cross and touring. It specializes in custom cycles, measuring down to the millimeter as part of the process, and recently won the Best Titanium Construction award for the sixth year running at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. It also hosts the annual Tour de Steamboat, raising funds for local nonprofits.

“Steamboat is a special place to live, and its wealth of biking options make it even better,” says Eriksen, who can often be found riding a handmade tandem with his wife and business partner Katie Lindquist. “The quality of life here is wonderful. It’s easy to balance work and fun in a town with so many outdoor activities available. I couldn’t imagine living anyplace else.”

Info: kentericksen.com, 970-879-8484

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Gravel Riding “They’re the ‘secret handshake’ people of cycling—they know where the goods are, like those secret powder stashes skiing...”

— Jon Cariveau, Moots marketing director

You don’t have to road ride pavement or mountain bike singletrack to have a great time in Steamboat: try a combo of the two by cross, or gravel riding, the region’s vast network of well-maintained, dirt county roads.

“Cross riding here is gaining huge momentum,” says Moots marketing director Jon Cariveau. “The roads we have around here are great for it; they’re smooth with little traffic. You’re starting to see way more cross bikes around town.”

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Its followers take advantage of the area’s numerous pavement- and trafficfree county roads, often linking routes together as they ride by area ranches and rolling hills. And a lot of them are proud of their privy rides. “They’re the ‘secret handshake’ people of cycling,” Cariveau says. “They know where the goods are, like those secret powder stashes skiing.”

One event celebrating this category of riding is the annual Moots Ranch Rally, a 50-mile group gravel and dirt road ride

showcasing area ranches while benefitting the Community Agriculture Alliance.

The non-competitive event draws 150 riders to Routt County’s rural roads in a route connecting historical ranches and farms, with the company even giving away a Routt bike frame, whose lower bottom bracket and slacker angles are specifically designed for riding on rougher, looser surfaces.

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JOEl REICHENBERGER

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5 minuteS With

amy chariTy A longtime professional rider and former member of the U.S. National Team and Optum Team, Amy Charity is one of town’s most accomplished road riders, finishing ninth at the Worlds in 2015 before hanging up her bike cleats. She now works remotely for a Boulder-based venture capital firm, allowing her plenty of time to ride local roads and trails.

Bike Guide: When and how did you move to Steamboat?

Charity: After growing up in Fort Collins, I moved here in 2008 from England with my husband, Matt. I knew I’d move back to Colorado eventually to be closer to family and back in the mountains.

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Triathlons, the Steamboat Stinger, Tour de Steamboat, a stage race over labor Day and more.

BG: How about the local riding?

Charity: I love riding here because I can always find quiet roads. It’s hard not to enjoy a ride when you see such Steamboat classics as Sleeping Giant, Mount Werner, Rabbit Ears, Sydney Peak, Steamboat lake and the Yampa River, all mixed with little treasures like the red school house, old barns and horse pastures.

BG: What do you like about Steamboat?

Charity: Steamboat is unique in the type of people that it attracts—everyone has a passion for outdoors, adventure and a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I can find someone up for an adventure, regardless of the temperature, 365 days a year.

BG: Any favorite rides?

Charity: I like coffee rides the best: a road ride where you stop for coffee in the middle. My favorite is a dirt loop to Hayden, heading out Twentymile Road and turning right onto dirt, and then stopping for coffee and a scone at the Granary. I also like the Oak Creek/Stagecoach loop over Yellow Jacket Pass and then down the canyon to Sydney Peak, River Road and back to town.

BG: What do you think of the local biking community Charity: Steamboat is a very welcoming cycling community and is incredibly diverse with roadies, mountain bikers, triathletes, fat bikers and downhillers. There’s something for everyone with the Winter Sports Club Time Trials, the Town Challenge races, Steamboat lake and Catamount

BG: Any other hobbies off the road?

Charity: Road riding is my main passion, but I also backcountry ski, trail run, fat bike and swim. I also attempt to mountain bike ride, hike with my dog lucy, a 5-year-old Boxador, and coach the Triathlon Club. I love that Steamboat has it all.

2016 bike Guide

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