2012 Steamboat Spring Bike Guide

Page 1

2012 Bike Guide STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Locals’ Favorite Rides P. 16

Trail Descriptions p. 35 Bike Town USA ®

MAPS & TIPS ROAD RIDES FAMILY CRUISING SAFETY TIPS


After a tough day on the trails.... you need more than hydration you need

hydroSENSATION!

Steamboat’s #1 Choice for Hot Tubs Since 1979 Visit our full service showroom in Central Park Plaza next to Walmart 2

Open: Monday - Friday 10-6 ∙ Saturday 10-5 aquavitaspas.com 970-879-4390 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

3



WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

5


6

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

7


Table of Contents Inside the Guide Community News Welcome Letter ................................................. 10 What’s New ....................................................... 11 Event Calendar................................................... 13 Marquee Events ................................................ 14 Locals’ Favorites Rides..................................... 16 Bike Town USA ............................................... 18 Bike Shop Round-up ...................................... 20 Bike Rentals ........................................................... 21 Local Bike Manufacturers ............................. 22 SSWSC Update.............................................. 24 Over the Hill Gang ........................................ 25 Using the Bus....................................................... 25 Best Riders in the ‘Boat .................................. 26 Adaptive Cycling ............................................. 27

Safety Riding with Livestock ...................................... 28 Safe Routes to School .................................... 29 Safte Routes Map ............................................ 30 Riding Right........................................................... 32 IMBA ..................................................................... 32 Road Safety.......................................................... 33 Bike Tips ................................................................. 33 Routt County Riders ....................................... 34 Ride Guide Using the Guide................................................ 36 Historic Bike Tour.............................................. 37 Core Trail Map.................................................. 38 Emerald Mountain ............................................ 40 Beall/Ridge Trails ................................................ 44 Rotary Trail ............................................................ 45

Ski Area.................................................................. 46 Skyline Trail............................................................ 51 BMX/Pump Tracks .......................................... 52 Spring Creek Trail.............................................. 53 Hot Springs Area ............................................. 54 Lower Bear ........................................................... 56 Nipple Peak ......................................................... 57 Big Red Park ......................................................... 58 Grizzly-Helena ................................................... 59 Seedhouse ............................................................. 60 Harrison Creek.................................................... 62 The Divide Trail .................................................. 63 Lynx Pass ................................................................ 65 Road/Mixed Rides .......................................... 66 Bike Town USA Partners ............................. 68 Family Rides........................................................... 71 Hayden................................................................... 73 Spoke: Tammy Jacques-Grewal ............... 74

RIDE 4 YELLOW 200 Riders

26 Miles

1 Cause

Fighting cancer globally and locally July 28, 2012 • Steamboat Springs, Colorado • ride4yellow.com 8

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


2012 Bike Guide Bike Town USA ® Advertising representative Erich Strotbeck

Doug Davis - Director, Steamboat Springs Bike Town USA Initiative Rich Lowe - Chairman, Steamboat Springs Bike Town USA Initiative

Advertising design Todd Wilson, Rachel Girard, Stephanie Corder and Severiano DeMarco

Eugene Buchanan - Magazine editor Mike Polucci - Advertising director Laura Tamucci - Creative services manager Steve Balgenorth - Circulation manager

For advertising information, call Mike Polucci at 970-871-4215 Bike Town USA www.steamboatbiketown.com doug@steamboatbiketown.com

Photographers Matt Stensland, John F. Russell, Joel Reichenberger, Ben Clark, Dave Dietrich, Doug Davis, Aryeh Copa and Larry Pierce Maps Rob Marin

Cover photo by David Dietrich

The following people have been instrumental in the creation of the Bike Guide. Bike Town USA would like to thank them for their vision and hard work. John Anarella Vicky Barney Kelly Boniface Paige Boucher Aaron Brown Jon Cariveau Alexis Casale Ben Clark Aryeh Copa Robin Craigen Patrick Delaney Tammie Delaney Jonathan Flint Kent Foster Todd Givnish

Gina Grether Paula Guenther Derek Hodson Janet Hruby Sarah Kane Craig Kennedy Matt Lavington Gavin Malia Bill Martorano Lane Malone Rob Marin Heather McLaughlin Barkley Robinson Gina Robison

Bill Root Randy Rudasics Jim Schneider Jenette Settle Jo Stanko Chris Tamucci Julie Taulman J.R. Thompson Brock Webster Cathy Weidemer Essam Welch Pat West Steve Williams Chris Wilson

Luxury Rental Homes and Catered Chalets full service catered packages include personal chef preparing breakfast and dinner airport pickup and private 4wd suburban ski shuttle complete vacation planning services

private and exclusive hot tub and dvd free high speed internet complimentary toiletries 5-star amenities & services

MovingMountains.com E - mail: info@movingmountains.com WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

9


Welcome

to the Steamboat Springs Bike Guide Steamboat Springs is known as Ski Town USA for our terrain, snowfall and rich history in producing worldclass, Olympic-level, winter sport athletes. We’re also known for our Western hospitality and fact that we’re a real community that just so happens to have a world-class ski resort as well as a ski hill and Nordic jumps owned and operated by the city. The efforts of the Bike Town USA Initiative are designed to build a similar legacy for cycling in Steamboat. We believe that Steamboat’s summer season offers the same sort of recreational paradise for

10

residents and visitors, with cycling a major showcase. Steamboat is unique in that it offers more than 500 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails and that, unlike other Rocky Mountain landscapes, it’s not landlocked by steep valley walls, allowing it also to offer terrific road and cross-county cycling opportunities. The town also offers the 7.5-mile, paved Yampa River Core Trail paralleling the Yampa River, offering a wonderful setting for family cruising, picnicking, bike commuting and more, and the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp is building a world-class bike park on Mount Werner. All of this comes at a perfect pedaling town elevation of 6,695 feet, a full 2,000 feet lower than most other Colorado mountain resort towns. This Bike Guide will help you find the best place

to ride here based on your interests. You’ll also find resources for renting and buying equipment, safety pointers, an inside look at our biking community and an events calendar highlighting what you can participate in or cheer on as a spectator. Finally, while you’re here enjoying our world-class bicycling, make sure to enjoy everything else Steamboat offers, from horseback riding, hiking and the weekly pro rodeo to hot air balloon rides, hot springs, fishing, the Howler alpine slide and our wide variety of shopping and restaurant options. Above all, thanks for visiting with your bike, and here’s to many miles of happy road and trail riding ahead. Rich Lowe Chairman, Bike Town USA Initiative Committee

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


What’s new

in Cycling in Steamboat Springs? What a year it’s been for Bike Town USA. To have received the Gold rating from the American League of Bicyclists is an accomplishment that truly highlights the progress the community has made during the past 12 months. Credit goes to a long list of individuals, government entities, organizations and businesses. Thank you and congratulations to all involved.

New lift-served terrain • Steamboat Ski Resort has opened preview sections of three dedicated gravity routes.

More events • The 2012 Cycling Events Calendar includes a jampacked lineup of recreational and competitive cycling opportunities, including the new Big Mountain Enduro, Steamboat Stinger mountain bike race, Tour

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

de Steamboat, nationally sanctioned BMX racing opportunities, new adaptive cycling events and charity rides to support a variety of great causes.

School map. • Improved connector of the Core Trail at Mount Werner Road.

Improved signage

New opportunities

• The city of Steamboat Springs will be adding additional striping and signage to enhance convenience and safety for multi-modal transportation. • New way-finding signage has been installed to guide riders from the ski area and mountain/condos area to key connectors and Howelsen Hill. • A new pedestrian underpass was constructed near Third Street and Fish Creek Falls Road. • Construction of the West Lincoln Park Bike and Pedestrian Bridge over the Yampa River near the Deport Art Center on the Yampa River Core Trail. • The publishing of a new kid-friendly Safe Routes to

• The Parks and Recreation Commission and Howelsen Emerald Mountain Partnership are working on trail planning for beginner access from the top of the chairlift at Howelsen Hill over to the Yampa River Core Trail at 13th Street near the Depot Art Center. • The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and city of Steamboat Springs are exploring opportunities to collaborate on bike park amenities. • The completion of the Rotary and Beall trails on the backside of Emerald Mountain, offering new terrain that is accessible, fun and challenging for a wide range of riders.

11


12

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Steamboat Cycling Events 2012 MAY 19 Routt County Riders Bike Swap www.routtcountyriders.org 24 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 30 Strawberry Park School Bike Rally 30 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series www.townchallenge.com

JUNE COLORADO BIKE TO WORK MONTH 1 Soda Creek School Bike Rally 6 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 6 SSWSC Road Training Race Series www.sswsc.org 7 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 11 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 13 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series www.townchallenge.com 14 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 14 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 15 Gondola opens for summer season, Steamboat Ski Area www.steamboat.com 18 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 20 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 20 SSWSC Road Training Race Series www.sswsc.org 21 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 23 Optimist Club Youth Bicycle Rodeo 25 to 29 Bike to Work Week www.routtcountyriders.org 25 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 26 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Mountain Bike www.sswsc.org June 26 to Aug. 7 SSWSC BMX Group (Two four-week sessions) www.sswsc.org 27 Bike to Work Day www.routtcountyriders.org 27 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series www.townchallenge.com 27 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

www.sswsc.org 27 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Road Bike www.sswsc.org 28 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 28 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org

JULY 2 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 3 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com 5 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 8 STARS Sunday Stroll Bike Rides www.steamboatstars.com 9 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 10 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Mountain Bike www.sswsc.org 10 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com 11 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series www.townchallenge.com 11 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 11 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Road Bike www.sswsc.org 12 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 12 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 16 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 16 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 17 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com 18 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 18 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 19 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 21 Steamboat Big Mountain Enduro www.steamboat.com 21 Eighth annual Eriksen Tour de Steamboat Road cycling fundraiser; rides include 110-mile “Gore Gruel,” 40-mile Stagecoach ride and family friendly Core Trail ride www.rockypeakproductions.com 22 Steamboat Lake Sprint Triathlon www.withoutlimits.com

22 STARS Sunday Stroll Bike Rides www.steamboatstars.com 23 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 24 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Mountain Bike www.sswsc.org 24 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com 25 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series www.townchallenge.com 25 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 25 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Road Bike www.sswsc.org 26 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 28 Ride 4 Yellow Mountain Bike Fundraiser www.ride4yellow.com 30 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 31 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com

AUGUST 1 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 1 SSWSC Road Training Race Series www.sswsc.org 1 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 2 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 2 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 5 STARS Sunday Stroll Bike Rides www.steamboatstars.com 6 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 7 SSWSC Skills Clinics - Mountain Bike www.sswsc.org 7 Wheels at the Mountain www.steamboatmountainvillage.com 8 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series www.townchallenge.com 8 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 8 SSWSC Skills Clinics-Road Bike www.sswsc.org 9 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series

Continued on page 14 13


Marquee Steamboat From page 13 9 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc.org 11 Steamboat Stinger Mountain Bike Race 50-mile mountain bike race; full/ half trail marathons www.honeystinger.com/ steamboatstinger www.runningseries.com 13 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc. org 15 Steamboat Ski And Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 15 SSWSC Road Training Race Series www.sswsc.org 15 SSWSC Youth Mountain Bike Program www.sswsc.org 16 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc. org 19 Steamboat Olympic Triathlon At Lake Catamount www.withoutlimits.com 19 STARS Sunday Stroll Bike Rides www.steamboatstars.com 20 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc. org 22 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series www.townchallenge.com 23 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 23 SSWSC Gravity Team www.sswsc. org 25 STARS Biking The Boat Charity Ride www.steamboatstars.com 29 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Women’s Group - Mountain Bike www.steamboatskiandbike.com 30 Team Flying Wheels BMX Race Series 31 to Sept. 3 Steamboat Stage Race Presented By Moots Cycles www.bikesteamboat.com

SEPTEMBER 21 Steamboat OktoberWest Pedaling Posse Parade

OCTOBER 6 Sixth annual Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride And Fundraiser for Routt County Humane Society 14

Cycling Events

Last year’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge is far from the only bicycling event hanging its helmet in Steamboat. This summer’s cycling season offers plenty of other pedaling events to take part in.

Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series Rare does an event better solidify the local cycling scene than Steamboat’s annual Town Challenge Race Series. Held every summer, the seven-race series offers hill-climb and cross-country events with a whopping 24 categories, from pro/open and three different age groups for men’s and women’s expert, sport and novice divisions to kids categories and even singlespeed. Points are awarded for each race (best six of seven), 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, Open Space and Recreational Services Department office, or on-site on race day. This year’s events will be held May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22. “It’s become more popular than ever,” says series organizer Gretchen Sehler, whose events draw as many as 200 riders each week. “It’s a super fun time and great way to bring local riders together.” Info: www.townchallenge.com

Tour de Steamboat When mountain bike hall of famer Kent Eriksen first brought the Tour de Steamboat into existence, it was a motley collection of 80 riders pedaling a 50-mile loop to Oak Creek and back. Now, thanks to local sponsorship from Prudential Steamboat Realty, it draws as many as 1,000 riders each year and benefits the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which brings children with cancer to Steamboat for a week of fun. Co-organized by Eriksen’s wife, Katie Lindquist, the noncompetitive event offers rides of three distances, including a 40-mile Stagecoach ride, family-friendly Yampa River Core Trail ride and the infamous 110-mile

Gore Gruel, which takes riders from Steamboat over Rabbit Ears and Gore passes and back. “It’s a great event for a great cause,” says Eriksen, who often rides it tandem with Katie. “The Sunshine Kids program adds quality of life to children with cancer by giving with exciting, positive group activities so they can do what kids are supposed to do — have fun and celebrate life.” This year’s eighth annual event will be held July 21. Info: www.rockypeakproductions.com

Ride 4 Yellow On the philanthropic front, few events rival the Ride 4 Yellow, a 26-mile mountain bike ride put on by the 4 Yellow Foundation to help raise money to fight cancer globally and locally. As a Livestrong grassroots event, the Steamboat event provides funding for cancer support locally through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. In its inaugural year in 2010, the event featured 200 cyclists of all abilities, including cycling legend Lance Armstrong, and raised more than $300,000. The ride is limited to the first 200 cyclists who pledge to raise at least $250. The group provides riders with the tools necessary to help raise funds, and riders can join as an individual or a team. “It’s a great event that’s really taken off,” says co-organizer Kerry Shea, adding that it was started by passionate riders who wanted to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. “The support has been tremendous.” Now in its third year, the 2012 Ride 4 Yellow will take place Saturday, July 28, and again send riders on the 26-mile single-track of the Continental Divide Trail. Info: www.ride4yellow.com

Steamboat Stinger If last year’s inaugural Steamboat Stinger was any indication, riders are in for a healthy dose of punishment Emerald Mountain-style again this year.

Continued on page 15 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


From page 14 Last year, nearly 300 mountain bikers showed up to race 50 miles up and over Emerald Mountain, not once, but twice, grinding up frontside trails and then down the Ridge trail and back up the Beall trail in a two-loop circuit. Sponsored and organized by local energy food company Honey Stinger, this year’s event on Aug. 11 to 12 again will offer solo and duo divisions and also add half and full marathon trail races as part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series. As many as 400 mountain bike and 400 runner spots are available. “Racing is in our DNA at Honey Stinger so we decided to promote the great trails we have so close to town by launching the event last year,” says Honey Stinger’s Len Zanni. “After our first successful year, we figured a trail race on the same weekend made sense too. It’s going to be a big weekend party.” As far as who to beat, riders better eat plenty of Honey Stinger waffles and chews if they hope to unseat last year’s winners Alex Grant and Katie Compton. Info: www.honeystinger.com/steamboatstinger

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Steamboat Enduro Yeti Cycles and subsidiary Bigfoot Productions are bringing its Big Mountain Enduro Series to Steamboat on Aug. 17 and 18. “This year marks the arrival of America’s Enduro scene,” says organizer Keith Darner. Aimed at all-mountain riders, the Steamboat portion of the series follows the 26-mile Continental Divide Trail from Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat Ski Area and is expected to draw more than 200 riders. Other events in the series include a race over Kennebec Pass in Durango (Sept. 1 and 2) and the Whole Enchilada Enduro in Moab, Utah, on Sept. 29 and 30. Entry fees are $150 and include post race meal/party, socks, T-shirt, sweatshirt and day-ofrace shuttle. “They’re all designed to be backcountry experiences and in-line with the events that set the stage for American enduro racing like the Downieville Classic,” Darner says. “The whole premise is enduro racing on raw backcountry trails. Finally, enduro racing is coming about in the U.S. a bit more.” Info: www.yeticycles.com

Steamboat Stage Race 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 on Labor Day weekend. He envisioned a bike event that would draw racers from across Colorado as well as encourage new road racers in Steamboat. Its uniqueness stems from its stage race format, similar to the Tour de France, which requires racers to compete in all four stages/days of racing. “On top of that, it offers 10 different racing categories for men and women, based on age and ability, with equal prize money for the Pro men and women’s fields, which isn’t very common in bike racing,” Piscopo says. Last year’s highlights included the biggest junior field yet and saw longtime pro racer Scott Moniger win the men’s Pro 1/2 race and Kasey Clark with the women’s 1/2/3 race. This year’s fourth annual stage race is slated for Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. “The first three years have been pretty awesome with pro riders racing alongside local racers,” Piscopo says, adding that this year’s event should draw nearly 400 competitors to the hills and streets of Steamboat. Info: www.bikesteamboat.com

15


Locals’ Favorite Rides 13 Steamboat Leaders Share Their Secret Cycling Stashes Bill Gamber President, Honey Stinger “My favorite is a ride known only by its initials, which takes off behind my house off Strawberry Park Road. It’s great singletrack in a wilderness setting, ranging from open meadows to forests of aspen and pine, and ends with a climb back to the hot springs, where you can soak right after your ride.”

Rob Mitchell President, Moots “I like hitting the Emerald Mountain loop after work. I ride from my house down Fish Creek Falls Road to Howelsen, then head up the Bluffs Loop and Lupine to the Quarry. After taking in the view of town, I duck left onto Blair Witch and climb Quarry Mountain to the Ridge Road. Then I hit Root Canal to Stairway to Heaven and cut right onto Abbey’s to Hudson’s. Then it’s down MGM to either Eye-to-Eye or the meadow switchbacks to Molly’s, which may be my favorite trail on Emerald. By the time I reach the bottom of Howelsen, my mind is solely focused on what beer I’m going to have when I get home — after the mile climb back up Fish Creek.”

16

Chad Fleischer Olympian, President, Fleischer Sport “My favorite ride is the Divide Trail starting from Dumont Lake on top of Rabbit Ears Pass. It’s a late summer ride but worth waiting for because it has all the elements of a fantastic ride — scenery, little traffic, rolling terrain, limited climbing, singletrack and a few easy technical aspects. You can ride it fast and go for it or take it easy with a lakeside lunch stop along the way.”

Barkley Robinson Realtor, Former King of the Rockies/ Laramie Enduro Champion “My favorite mountain bike ride is the Stinger loop on Emerald Mountain (down Ridge Trail and up Beall). It’s a killer 25-mile loop of signature Steamboat singletrack with loads of fast climbing, flowing descents and expansive views — all right in our backyard. For road riding, it’s the coal mine loop. From town, take Routt County Road 33 to the coal mine and then over the hills to Oak Creek. Finish the loop on C.R. 14 by Stagecoach Reservoir for a scenic 50-miler, or for the climbing ride, turn around and hit all the hills in reverse. Hint: Pack a lunch!”

Mark Satkiewicz President, SmartWool, Triathlete “I have three favorite rides. One is the coal mine through Stagecoach loop. It has five climbs and I can test myself throughout the year and see my improvement. I also ride Elk River Road to Columbine and Seedhouse for a 78-miler. I go early in the morning and always see animals. I also do an in-town ride through Dakota Ridge and to the schoolhouse and then to the office. It’s 30 miles and close to home. It’s in town with the best of everything: climbing, flats and lots of people riding around.”

Caroline Lalive Downhill/ Super G Olympian, 1998, 2002 “I like anything on Emerald Mountain. There’s something surreal and simple about those trails. If I had to pick one, it’s Larry’s, 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.”

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Corey Piscopo Founder, Steamboat Stage Race “I like the Buff Pass climb because it’s on dirt and takes you to some pretty incredible and remote spots. You can ride to it from town and be out in remote wilderness with incredible views pretty quickly. An added bonus is when the gates are closed, restricting cars and leaving the road entirely to bikers until you reach snow. Plus it climbs 3,100 feet in 10.5 miles, so it’s a solid training ride.”

Nelson Carmichael Olympic Bronze Medalist, Moguls, 1992 “I like the climb up Mount Werner. It can be arduous, but the payoff is worth it. I start up Mt. Werner, turning onto Yoo Hoo, then head up Sitz and Valley View and onto Spur Run. From the top of the gondola, it’s down Zig Zag to loop back to the base or, if I’m game for more, it’s up to the summit via Elkhead, Chisholm Trail and Storm Peak Challenge. It’s 3,400 vertical feet to the summit, and possibly that many calories burned. Thankfully, it’s all downhill from there, starting with Pete’s Wicked, Cathy’s Cutoff, Sunshine and back down Zig Zag. It has everything — tough climbs, smooth singletrack, tight corners, fast rollers, jumps, boulders, logs, aspens, pines, open meadows, and great views.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

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.”

Rishi Grewal 3-time 24 Hours World Champion, Former Nat’l Road Champion “Easily my favorite trail ride is to ride up the ski area and then descend back on Pete’s Wicked trail to Cathy’s Cutoff to Sunshine to Moonlight to Valley View and finally Yoo Hoo. It’s a fun ride that will test all your skills and leave you satisfied to have made it to the bottom safely.”

Murray Selleck Manager, Ski Haus “My favorite has to be the Tour de Steamboat ride (Gore Pass Gruel), which includes Rabbit Ears, Gore and Yellowjacket passes. At 100-plus miles, it has everything a roadie is looking for — long climbs, crazy fast descents, headwinds, crosswinds, an occasional tailwind, and big views. You never know what you’ll get or how your body will react. A favorite ride shouldn’t be one you nail every time; it should also challenge you, which this one does.”

Chris Johns Owner, Wheels Bike Shop “Rock Creek and Tepee Creek. It’s a bit of a drive but well worth it — especially when you’re tired of the riding around town and the regular trails are dusty. It’s tranquil and you probably won’t see anyone else. It has gentle climbs, excellent singletrack, lush forests, creek crossings, wildlife and open meadows. I have plenty more hidden treasures, as well. Just bring me a sandwich at the shop and I’ll tell you.”

Kent Eriksen Owner, Kent Eriksen Cycles “My favorite ride is right out our back door by Strawberry Park Hot Springs. We ride Lower Bear to Elk Park Road, cross the creek and keep riding up Upper Bear. Then we hike-a-bike across Summit Park and up Ball Bearing Pass for an incredible overlook into the Zirkels. From there, we retrace our route. It’s all downhill, technical at first, then simple flowing singletrack right back home. No driving, no cars, purely fun playing in the backyard.”

17


Bike Town USA By Eugene Buchanan Trail improvements. A world-class bike path. Bike to work and school initiatives. Bike Summit meetings. BMX and pump tracks. Freeride trails. A local race series to end all race series. Two bike manufacturers. An energy food company co-owned by Lance Armstrong. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Add these all together, combined with worldclass terrain and a great community that’s passionate about cycling, and it’s easy to see why the Bike Town USA movement is gaining momentum in Steamboat Springs. So much so that the League of American Bicyclists recently bestowed Steamboat with its Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation. In short, cycling is becoming as much a part of the town as its skiing. “As integral as skiing is to our economy, biking provides an economic driver for the summer and shoulder seasons, making Steamboat a year-round destination,” says Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association CEO Tom Kern. “We have great biking resources for almost every type of rider. Biking is not a trend here, but an integral part of the community.” Local bike businesses, as well as other businesses throughout town, are benefiting from this boom. Orange Peel Bicycles owner Brock Webster has

seen business grow every year. So has Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare owner Harry Martin, who adds that 2011 was the store’s best year to date. And he says that nearly 60 percent of his business now is centered around biking. “Last summer, I saw more people come here just to go riding than any other year,” he says. “And they came from the Front Range, Texas and beyond.” Like skiers, these visitors represent an affluent demographic, one the town hopes to continue to entice to come to Steamboat. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, 30 percent of all adult bicyclists in the U.S. live in households earning $100,000 or more. Bikers also have a median household income of $59,000, significantly higher then the U.S. average of $48,946. And regular cyclists — those who cycle at least once a week — have a household income of at least $75,000 per year. All this is why the burgeoning Bike Town USA Initiative is continuing to capitalize on the craze. It has hosted Bike Summit meetings for the past two years, a think-tank to improve the quality of life in Steamboat through bikes, and it’s working on other initiatives, with key partners, to continue promoting bicycling in the ’Boat. As part of its efforts to grow Steamboat’s monthly sales tax revenue by 5 percent this summer, the Chamber also is banking on bikes by promoting

Did you know?

• 47 percent of Americans say they would like more bike facilities in their communities. • On a round-trip commute of 10 miles, bicyclists save $10 daily. • For every 1 mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly 1 pound of CO² is saved. • 80 percent of mountain bikers have taken at least one overnight trip to go mountain biking. • On average, homes located on a bike boulevard are worth $5,757 more than homes not on one. • The more and longer an employee commutes by bicycle, the lower the rate of absenteeism. • The health benefit of a kilometer of cycling is valued at $1.

18

Stats

According to Boulder, Colorado’s Outdoor Foundation, bicycling: • Is the second most popular outdoor activity in the United States, enjoyed by 60 million adult Americans each year • Contributes $133 billion annually to the U.S. economy each year • Supports nearly 1.1 million jobs across the U.S. • Generates $17.7 billion in annual federal and state tax revenue • Supports nearly 1.1 million jobs across the U.S. • Bicycling brings more than $1 billion to the Colorado state economy. Contributes $6.2 billion annually (and 60,000 jobs) to the regional economy in the eight-state Rocky Mountain region • Is enjoyed by 4 million people — 27 percent of the adult population — in the Mountain States region (www.bikesbelong.org) bicycling, including hosting a “familiarization” trip in July that will have journalists spending two days in Steamboat before embarking on a bike ride to Fort Collins; it hopes the testimonials it receives will entice more bikers to visit here. Still, like topping Rabbit Ears Pass when riding the Gore Gruel, there’s still a long way to go. “While initiatives like the Bike Town USA campaign and USA Pro Cycling Challenge help, the movement is still in its infancy,” Webster says. “Steamboat’s biking awareness has improved, but it still has a long way to go.” Nevertheless, with trail improvements, better

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


signage, more events, a “free” bikes program by the city, publications like the Bike Guide, and the ski area continuing to invest in the sport, things are on the right track. “Biking is huge here,” says Bill Gamber, founder of Honey Stinger, which recently brought Lance Armstrong in as a partner. “There aren’t too many communities this passionate about riding.” This passion manifests itself in everything from the city, ski area and Chamber’s marketing efforts to bike manufacturers calling Steamboat home. “Steamboat is all about active mountain town recreation and biking is the summer anchor to this,” says Rob Mitchell, president of local bike manufacturer Moots. “The beauty is that we’re a multi-faceted cycling community — we have the full breadth of riders from recreationalists to pros, kids, seniors and everyone in between.” What makes Steamboat unique, he adds, is cycling’s accessibility from town. “Our access is exceptional,” he says. “For mountain biking, we have Emerald’s singletrack rising right out of the center of town, with the ability to link up longer

wilderness rides; on the road side, we have tons of loops and out-and-back options straight from town; and we have the beginning of a great expanse of freeride trails on the ski hill. We’re covered in all areas.” That access, combined with a town walking the walk, or rather, pedaling the bike, is the backbone of Steamboat’s biking momentum. “The community has really embraced riding,”

Mitchell adds. “The Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation we received is testimony to the progress we’re making with our bike infrastructure, community cycling awareness, outside marketing efforts and overall bike culture. We still have a long ways to go, but if any mountain town can serve as the model for bicycle friendliness, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be it. We have all the ingredients.”

Facts from other towns

• Bicycling-related businesses bring $315 million to Minnesota’s economy annually. • In 2010, mountain bike trails in Raystown Lake, Penn., attracted more than 25,000 visitors, 2.5 times more than predicted, who spent $1.2 million. • Mountain bikers have contributed an estimated $25 million to the Fruita, Colo., economy. • Biking and hiking trails in Teton County, Wyo., create an annual economic benefit of more than $18 million. The trail system cost $1.7 million to build. • In a survey of visitors to Portland, Ore., 78 percent said that the city’s bike-friendliness was a factor in their decision to visit there. • Bicyclists in North Carolina’s Outer Banks bring $60 million annually to the area’s economy, nine times its facilities’ one-time $6.7 million expenditure.

SK I L L N S W C O L T I N E ICS K I B SK AY BIKE D 3 & 1

ILLS CLINICS FOR ALL AGES & AB

ILITIES

Skills Clinics will cover the fundamental skills of mountain biking and/or road biking. 3 DAY MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CLINICS Wed-Fri 9am-12pm Starting July 11-August 10 1 DAY MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CLINICS Tuesdays 8:30-11am June 26, July 10, 24, Aug 7 1 DAY ROAD BIKE SKILLS CLINICS Wednesdays 8:30-11am June 27, July 11, 24, Aug 8 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: EACH FRIDAY PRIOR TO CLINIC’S START

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BLAIR AT 970-846-2426 OR VISIT WWW.SSWSC.ORG. TO SIGN-UP CALL SSWSC AT 970-879-0695 X 100 OR STOP BY THE OFFICE AT HOWELSEN HILL.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

19


Bike Shop Round-Up Ski Haus manager Murray Selleck credits his store’s bike accolades to one thing: a staff that’s plain passionate about riding. “We’re all enthusiasts,” he says, adding that some of the store’s bike technicians have been there more than four decades, since long before the advent of shocks and disc brakes. Come riding season, the store’s newly expanded basement turns into a beehive of bike activity, offering rentals (full- and frontsuspension mountain bikes, road bikes, cruisers, child bikes, tandems, trailers, tag-a-longs and more), repairs and retail. Selleck adds that new garage doors open up to the outside to create a great open atmosphere, and that the store strives to offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros. “Our retail line is extensive, with prices in performance for everyone,” he says. Locals tip: Visit it when the Specialized and Rocky Mountain demo vans swing by; just realize that afterward, you’ll probably want to upgrade. 1457 Pine Grove Road, 970-879-0385, www.skihaussteamboat.com

Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare opened in 1995 when co-owner Harry Martin moved to Steamboat from Jackson, Wyo., and saw an opening for a ski and bike store focused on service. Now located at 442 Lincoln Ave., it’s cemented that philosophy in stone, voted town’s Best Bike Shop two years in a row. “Our bike mechanics are some of the best in the business,” says shop manager Derek Hudson, adding that some of its employees have up to 40 years of experience. “The business is always changing and these guys know how to fix anything.” On the retail front, best sellers continue to include Trek and Giant, with Italian road bike manufacturer Wilier also selling well. With 20

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 — they just love biking,” says Martin, whose store sponsors the Town Challenge Mountain Bike 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.”

Photo from Steamboat Pilot & Today

Ski Haus

442 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-9144, www.steamboatskiandbike.com

Orange Peel Founded in 1999, Orange Peel, located at 1136 Yampa Ave. in “the cone,” 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’re the only shop in town that focuses solely on bikes. That’s our singular focus.” Webster adds that his entire peak season staff of 11 consists of avid riders, whose combined experience totals hundreds of years (employee J.R. Thompson even runs a bike tour company as a side business). The shop offers rentals (highend 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 in Steamboat. “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.” 1136 Yampa Ave., 970-879-2957, www.orangepeelbikes.com

Wheels Bike Shop Wheels is a small, independently owned and operated bike shop located along the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat, specializing in tunes and sales. “We gain our clients not from pricey advertising but by friendly customer service, word of mouth referrals, and our knowledge of bicycles,” says owner Chris Johns, a former competitive rider. On the retail front, 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. 841 Yampa St., 970-870-1974, www.wheelssteamboat.com

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Rental Locations As well as the bike shops listed, you also can find rentals at these bike stores:

Christy Sports Trek full- and front-suspension mountain bike rentals. Child bikes and trailers also available. Helmets are included. 1835 Central Park Plaza, 970-879-1250, www.christysports.com

Fleischer Sport Carrying a full line of hard-tail and full suspension bikes (including Santa Cruz), as well as cruisers, kids’ bikes, tag-alongs and more for outings on the mountain. 2250 Apres Ski Way, 970-870-0900, www.fleischersport.com

Ride Sports Located in the Sheraton Steamboat Resort on the edge of the base area promenade, carrying all your on-mountain biking adventure needs, including gloves, pads, helmets, tubes, clothing, Camelbaks and more.

One Stop Ski Shop Mountain, Rechargable Electric Bikes 35 11th St., 970-879-4754, www.onestopskishop.net

Boomerang Sports Exchange/Powder Pursuits Buying and selling the best used sports equipment in Steamboat, with sales of cruisers and kids’ Glides downtown and new on-mountain rental program (single- and seven-speed Micargis) through Powder Pursuits. 1125 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-3050, www.boomerangsportsco.com

2305 Mount Werner Cir., 970-871-5349, www.steamboat.com

After Your Ride, You Decide 3 PLACES FOR ALL PALATES

Base of the mountain

Just off the mountain

Southwestern & Mexican Cuisine

Innovative Southwestern and Mexican Cuisine, Great Margaritas, Serving in a Beautiful Atmosphere at the Base of the Ski Area, Children’s Menu, Lots of Parking Open Nightly 5pm-Close • Happy Hour 4:30-6:00 879-5800 • Corner of Aprés Ski Way & Village Dr.

Steaks and Seafood

Pacific American Grill

Beautiful Spacious Dining Room, Raw Bar, East and West Coast Oysters, Fabulous Steaks and Seafood, Live Jazz - Friday Nights, Fireside Dining, Easy Parking, Children’s Menu

Reaching New Heights in Culinary Experience Steamboat’s Most Beautiful In-Town Restaurant/Catering LocationOverlooking the Yampa River

Open Nightly 5pm-Close • Happy Hour 5:00-6:00

879-2229 • 701 Yampa Avenue

S T E A M B O A T WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

On the river, Downtown

879-3399 • 2165 Pine Grove Road

Open Nightly 5:30-Close • Happy Hour 3:00-5:30

S P R I N G S , C O L O R A D O 21


Titanium Town

Steamboat’s bike manufacturers Moots, Kent Eriksen recognized worldwide Solidifying Steamboat’s place in the cycling world are two homegrown manufacturers who are based in the Yampa Valley for the same reason everyone else lives here: the quality of life, which includes plenty of cycling.

Kent Eriksen Cycles Helping usher mountain biking not only into Routt County but also the United States, Kent Eriksen, 57, is no stranger to cycling in Steamboat. After owning and operating

Sore Saddle Cyclery in the 1970s, during which time he also produced the region’s first cycling map, he founded Moots in 1981 and was elected into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1996. After a 25-year run, Eriksen, an endless tinkerer, left Moots in 2005, continuing his passion for building titanium bikes by founding Kent Eriksen Cycles in downtown Steamboat. Producing as many as 200 frames per year, the company specializes in custom cycles, taking customers’ measurements down

to the millimeter as part of the building process. Making bikes of all styles — road, mountain, cross and touring — his attention to detail won him Best Titanium Bike award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show for the past three years. “Steamboat is already a special place to live, and its wealth of biking options make it even more special,” says Eriksen, who often can be found riding a handmade tandem mountain bike with his wife, Katie Lindquist. “I couldn’t imagine living anyplace else.”

Pottery • Vegetables & Herbs • Annuals & Perennials • Trees & Shrubs

Helping Gardeners Grow since 1999 1801 West Lincoln Avenue Just off the bike path Monday - Friday 9 to 6 ∙ Saturday 9 to 5 ∙ Sunday 9 to 4

879-2403 22

2403SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE 9 7 STEAMBOAT 8 e u n e v A n l 1801 West Linco


Founded in Steamboat in 1981 by Kent Eriksen, Moots has been hand-building titanium road, mountain and cross bikes locally for more than three decades. Enjoyed by cyclists worldwide, the company’s designers and builders work in an office off Colorado Highway 129, and when not churning out high-quality titanium cycles, can be found testing their wares on local trails. “Our location here is tightly woven into our company values and brand,” says president Rob Mitchell, whose company recently was selected out of 400 nominees as a Colorado Company to Watch by the State Office of Economic Development. “Being rooted in Steamboat gives us immediate access to some of the state’s best riding right out our door.” Mitchell adds that this also plays a role in the company’s ability to design and build cutting-edge cycles while also offering an attractive lifestyle for its employees. The company also supports numerous community and industry advocacy movements, from local trail workdays to sponsoring the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Cycling Team. With an eye on protecting the environment it builds products for, it also employs a cutting-edge recycling program and solar system to power its manufacturing. “We’re proud of our bikes, the team that builds them, and the culture and character of the town we’ve called home for so long,” Mitchell says. “The values of our brand have always been

positioned around our Steamboat location, and Moots shares many of the same values that make Steamboat so special — including humble, friendly and passionate people. I guess you could say we were raised with strong community parenting.” Moots offers guided factory tours at 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Photo courtesy of Moots

Moots

23


Steamboat Springs

Firing Winter Sports on all Club cycling Cylinders coach them and encourage more youth participation in competitive cycling.” Among the club’s offerings are BMX and Gravity programs, a six-event road training race series called Steel Club, three-day mountain bike clinics for adults, a 20-person Devo team for middle schoolers racing mountain and road, and a volunteer-based youths program teaching fundamentals to elementary school-aged athletes. The program’s high school-aged elite team is coached by former pro racers Tammy Jacques-Grewal and Rishi Grewal. “Last year, our elite team was super competitive on trails and the road,” says Clark, adding that Jeffrey Gay placed second overall in the Mountain States Cup Category 1 15-18 group, with Evan Weinman

and Alec Schaffer placing second and third, respectively, in the Category 2 15–18 group. “And both Weinman and Schaffer will be back with the team this year, as well.” Info: www.steamboatcycling.com, www.sswsc.org

Photo by Ben Clark

With a focus on youth competition, SSWSC Cycling, a division of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, offers numerous programs aimed at providing athletes of various ages the opportunity to develop their cycling skills and enjoy cycling as a lifelong sport. From gravity riders looking to rip downhills and elite high school athletes taking competitive cycling to the next level to adults and elementary school chlidren looking to trail or road ride with friends, the program offers something for everyone. “We’ve worked hard to develop a feeder program, and this year will be the first time we’ll see graduates of our youth program coming up to the competitive Devo team,” director Ben Clark says. “I’m excited to

At the end of your ride in One Steamboat Place

Located at the base of the mountain. Open daily this summer. Find Us On

24

Happy hour Specials Al fresco dining available Free Valet Parking at One Steamboat Place

970.879.7470 2250 Apres ski way www.trufflepigrestaurant.com STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Over the Carry Your Bike Hill Gang on the Bus

Young at Heart

Riding in Steamboat isn’t just for young whipper-snappers. Steamboat’s Over The Hill Gang is a group of enthusiastic, fun-loving cyclists (and skiers) who enjoy socializing and sharing outdoor activities. Biking is the perfect fit for summer. The group regularly leads trips throughout the summer, including road bike loops, easy mountain biking trips, dirt road riding and even a Mellow-Plus category for any type of bike. This summer, the group has five OTHG biking trips going out each week. “Whatever kind of pedalpowered biking you do, we have a group that will probably suit your style,” member Terye Rhoden says. Membership is open to anyone 50 years and older, and you don’t have to reside in Steamboat, or even Colorado, to participate. Info: 970-871-7937, www.ssoverthehillgang.org

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

What would Bike Town USA be without a helping hand from the neighborhood city bus line? For those who need to take their bikes on the bus, 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.

To load your bike: • • • • • •

As the bus approaches, have your bike ready. Wait until the driver sets the parking brake to approach the rack. Pull up on the silver handle to release the rack and pivot it to the down position. Arrows indicate which direction to set the bike in the rack. Place the bike in the rack and pull up on the spring-loaded retainer bar. Slide the retainer bar over the front tire.

To remove your bike: • • • •

Wait until the driver sets the parking brake. Slide the retainer bar up and over the front tire. Remove the bike from rack. Lift the rack back up until it locks in the stow position.

25


The Survey’s Best Town’s Best Riders Best Mountain Biker, female 1. Kelly Boniface 2. Amy Charity 3. Liana Gregory

Best Mountain Biker, male 1. Barkley Robinson 2. Nate Bird 3. Brad Bingham

Best Road Biker, male 1. Barkley Robinson 2. Scott Schlapkohl 3. Matt Charity

Best Road Biker, female 1. Amy Charity 2. Kelly Boniface 3. Jody Gale

In this winter’s Best of the Boat contest sponsored by Steamboat Living magazine, residents voted on the cream of the crop in local cycling circles. The following is a snapshot of winners Kelly Boniface (Best Mountain Biker; second, Best Road Biker) and Barkley Robinson (Best Mountain and Best Road Biker).

the regional riding scene five years ago, and her ascent through the pro ranks has been just as swift. Last year, she placed 16th in the USA Cycling Cross-Country National Championships and anchored a four-person 24-hour mountain biking national championship squad.

Kelly Boniface

Barkley Robinson’s cycling resume is enough to make you shiver at the thought of ever riding against him. A Realtor for Prudential Steamboat Realty, he won the Gore Pass Road Race in 2006, the King of the Rockies cross-country race in 2008 and the Laramie Enduro in 2009. And, oh yeah, he also placed 24th in the 2004 Olympic Road Race Trials. All this comes on top of his regularly placings atop the podium in the local Town Challenge race series.

Kelly Boniface was a runner when she first moved to Steamboat, but she’s rarely gotten off a bike ever since turning to cycling to help recover from a leg injury. Sponsored by Moots, Boniface has pedaled her way to the podium of the annual Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series every season since she started, except those she took off while pregnant with her two daughters, Isabelle and Lila. She began attacking

Barkley Robinson

2012Howlin’ Season Schedul e Howelsen XC MAY 30 JUNE 13 JUNE 27 JULY 11 JULY 25 AUGUST 8 AUGUST 22

Marabou XC Epic Emerald XC Sunshine Loop XC Quarry Mountain XC Storm Peak Hill Climb Soul of the Emerald XC

www.townchallenge.com | 970.879.4300

26

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Adaptive Cycling Rolling Strong activity that people can do with friends and family, and our biking programs enable people with disabilities to get out there and get active. It’s great that people here are starting to embrace the concept and recognize the importance of it.” The STARS Summer Adventure Camp, held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 19 to Aug. 16, offers biking as well as other activities, as does its Camp Achieve (Aug. 8 to 11) and Rising STARS Camp (July 26 to 28). On July 8 and 22 and Aug. 5 and 19, it also offers its popular Sunday Stroll Bike Rides from 5 to 7 p.m. that family and friends can participate in, with different rides set up each week. Info: 970-871-5371, www.steamboatstars.com

Photo courtesy of STARS

For biking enthusiasts with disabilities, Steamboat is the shining star, thanks largely to a program called STARS. Providing recreational opportunities for people with disabilities to empower them and enrich their quality of life, Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports offers summer programming that includes hand cycling and mountain biking. A chapter of Disabled Sports USA and a U.S. Paralympic Sportclub, it also rents kid and adult hand cycles and three-wheel foot-pedal adaptive bikes. “The Yampa River (Core Trail) is a fabulous spot for adaptive cycling,” says STARS Executive Director Julie Taulman. “Biking is an inclusive

The Family that bikes together......

Frank X Becker

Architect / Design-Build Becker Architecture 970-846-8016 frank@beckerarchitecture.com www.BeckerArchitecture.com

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Kelly Becker

Broker, The Metzler Team Colorado Group Realty 970-846-2300 www.SteamboatRE.com kelly@mybrokers.com

27


Safety with Animals

Cattle/Horses and Bikes There are two situations where a biker is likely to meet with ranch animals, including cattle and horses: as a herd moving down a road and as a single animal along the trail. While each situation should be handled differently, there are a few rules which apply regardless of the situation. Approach cattle slowly and quietly. Cattle will move away form you given the opportunity, but when stressed by noises and fast movement they become unpredictable. Don’t get between an individual cow or calf and the herd. Stop and stay still and the animal will go around you to get back

to the herd. Also don’t try to get around it or chase it back to the herd. Oftentimes when you come up behind an animal it will stay on the trail ahead of you because it provides the easiest passage. Cattle have a flight zone, the distance where an animal will move away from potential danger. This increases with their degree of stress (i.e. encountering a biker). Ease your speed; if they get far enough in front they’ll be out of their flight zone and look for an escape. Also, instead of staying directly behind the cow, move to one side or the other, which will cause them to

move off the trail (staying behind them just causes them to travel faster). These guidelines can also be used when encountering horses on a trail. When encountering a herd of cattle, stop, step to one side and stand still and quiet until it passes. It will likely give you a wide berth. Hurrying the herd’s passing with noises and arm movements only causes the animals to stop or split. If you come up behind a herd, take the cues from the horseback riders at the back — they might lead you through the herd or ask you to wait.

Ski Haus has the bikes, selection, and service to make every ride fun!

Steamboat’s Largest Fleet of Rental Bikes. Mountain, Road, Comfort, Cruisers, Kids & Trailers.

28

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

Highway 40 & Pine Grove Rd Steamboat Springs Colorado, 80477 Open Daily • Full Service Repair Shop

970.879.0385 / 1.800.932.3019

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Safe Routes to School

Safe Walking/Riding Tips Steamboat Springs Safe Routes to School, which regularly sponsors Hike and Bike to School Days, is a community effort aimed at making our town easy and safe for kids to commute by bike or foot. Our mission is to inspire kids who usually ride in a car or bus to walk or ride a bike instead. The program also organizes safety and skills rallies to teach rules of the road and skills for making riding and walking fun and safe. Thanks to a Colorado Department of Transportation map, our new Safe Routes to School map highlights the safest routes from various neighborhoods to our schools. Info: www.saferoutessteamboat.com

Preparing to ride

Riding safety

• Choose the route with the fewest streets to cross even if it’s longer. • 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 the frame, both feet should be able to be firmly planted on the ground. When seated, your hands should reach the handlebars. • Don’t carry anyone else on your bike. • Don’t carry anything in your hands (use a backpack or basket). Secure any dangling straps. • If riding in the dark, use headlights, tail lights and reflectors and wear bright, reflective clothing.

• Before entering a street, look for other vehicles to the left, right, in front and behind. • 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 be ready to 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. • If riding on a sidewalk or path, ride slowly and be prepared to stop quickly. Pedestrians have the right-of-way. • Dismount if crossing at a stop light crosswalk.

DEBBIE ARAGON STATE FARM INSURANCE 404 Oak Street • Steamboat Springs, CO • 970-879-1756

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

We are excited to support biking in Steamboat! 29


30

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

31


Riding Right Knowing how to make a water crossing or properly downshift is important, but there are other facets of being a good, wellrounded and responsible rider. Many trails have been closed to riders because of the actions of a rare few. Short-cutting switchbacks, taking off-trail routes and failing to yield to other users all harm both the environment and riders’ chances to continue to gain access to trails.

Ride right by following the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s rules of the trail: • Ride only on open trails • Do not use trails when wet • 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)

Photo by Doug Davis

Respecting Riders and the Trails

Making a Difference

IMBA, Bicycle Colorado Promote Cycling Cause Two groups in Colorado are making a difference in biking in Steamboat and beyond. Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., the International Mountain Bicycling Association (www.imba.com) encourages low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, user group cooperation, grassroots advocacy and trail management across the globe. While its worldwide network includes 35,000 members, 750 bicycle clubs, 160 corporate partners and 600 retailers in 30 countries, its roots are firmly in Colorado. “With 27 IMBA-affiliated chapters and clubs active in Colorado, chances are good that one or more of most riders’ favorite mountain bike trails benefits from our volunteer stewardship

32

efforts,” says IMBA communications director Mark Eller. “In Steamboat, we’re contributing to the Bike Town USA initiative by assisting with plans for better trail connectivity and new riding options.” Another group championing the cycling cause is Bicycle Colorado (www.bicyclecolo.org), which promotes bicycling, safety and terrain while providing a voice for Colorado cyclists. Among its programs are Share the Road and Safe Routes to School, and it also recently launched a Bike the Byways program, encouraging tourism at towns along 25 designated Scenic Byway routes. It’s also spearheading the state’s involvement in the National Bike Challenge from May 1 through

Aug. 31, encouraging riders to log their miles to show the state’s dedication to cycling. Other accomplishments include gaining new shoulders on roads, changing the law to allow bicyclists to ride side-by-side (when safe) and signal right turns with the right hand, securing $8.9 million for developing safe bicycle routes to schools, and ending the ban on racing events in northern Colorado. “We need to work together to protect the rights of bicyclists,” says director Dan Grunig. “Our efforts are primarily focused at the state and regional level since that’s where so many of the policy decisions that affect bicyclists are made.”

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Road Safety Bike Tips

Share the Road There are rules of the road to follow for safe road riding. Always practice the following: • Always wear a helmet • Don’t use headphones or cell phones while biking • Show respect for everything on the road: drivers, other bikers, pedestrians, parked cars • Use correct hand signals to show your movements • Don’t stop in the travel lane (only stop on shoulders or off the road) • Riding at night without a headlight is illegal. Wear bright or reflective clothing • 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 (always ride single-file on curving or narrow roads) Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right-of-way Share the road with other users, practicing safety, awareness and respect When stopping, always remain visible in both directions to other users, particularly on curves and hills (don’t stop in a blind spot) Expect the unexpected

Maintenance

• Before every ride check tire pressure and tire surface for cuts and embedded debris. • Keep chain clean and lubricated. Lubricate chain with dry lube; or every other week or 400 miles with wet chain lube. • Check chain regularly for excessive side to side play and replace if necessary. • Wash bike regularly (once a week or every 200 miles) in hot water and dish soap, oil drive train, and wipe off excess oil. • Inspect shifting and braking cables and housing twice a year and replace if necessary. • Be prepared for inclement weather by carrying extra clothing and food. • Carry proper repair gear, including pump, spare tube, patch kit and chain tool. • Check cleats on shoes for wear and replace if worn and make sure bolts on cleats are tightened.

Integrity • Performance • Results Chairm ans Circle Gold W inner

Call Erik or Kathy Steinberg Erik & Kathy Steinberg Broker Associates 970 846 8418 | 970 846 2933 cell 970 875 2417 | 970 875 2435 office steiny@cmn.net 610 Marketplace Plaza, Suite 100 | Steamboat Springs

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

www.sresortrealestate.com 33


Routt County Riders

Championing the Cause Routt County Riders began in the early 1990s as a group of mountain bikers interested in building and maintaining trails in our area. In the early 2000s, it began to represent road cyclists’ interests and later began to support programs and scholarships for youth cycling, community cycling initiatives and mountain and road cycling events. Today, RCR is a volunteer-based, membershipdriven, nonprofit supported by a nine-member board of directors, an executive director and various committees supporting its mission. It also continues to represent more variations of biking, including freeriding and adaptive cycling. RCR also offers input to numerous governmental agencies to help promote and enhance cycling

and trails, from the Colorado Department of Transportation to U.S. Forest Service, BLM and the city of Steamboat Springs. Representing the local cycling community, RCR is actively involved in the following areas (visit www.routtcountyriders.org for more information): • Development and maintenance of sustainable mountain bike trails • Grant writing for trail projects • Annual Steamboat Springs Bike Festival & Bike Swap • Bike To Work Week • Bicycle Friendly Community Initiative • Livestrong Ride 4 Yellow • Bike Town USA Initiative

T

U

T

• • • • • •

Junior cyclist development Cycling advocacy Safe Routes to School Multi-modal advisory group Share the Road campaigns Group rides

SANDWICH SPECIALISTS Serving Colorado cyclists since 1999

H E B R S S B S H L

N

N B G S

S

H T L Proud to sponsor the Town Challenge Bike Series, Bike to School Program & SSWSC!

R

F

H

(970) 879-3617 • 635 Lincoln Ave • Old Town Square menu online at www.backcountryprovisions.com 34

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Ride Guide Table of contents Bike Town USA ®

USING THE GUIDE ........... 36 TOWN/MOUNTAIN Historic Bike Tour ............... 37 Emerald Mountain ............... 40 Beall/Ridge Trails ................ 44 Rotary Trail ........................ 45 Ski Area ........................... 46 Skyline Trail ....................... 51 BMX/Pump Tracks ............. 52 Spring Creek Trail ................ 53 Hot Springs Area ............... 54 Lower Bear ........................ 56 NORTH ROUTT Nipple Peak ....................... 57 Big Red Park ...................... 58 Grizzly-Helena ................... 59 Seedhouse ......................... 60 SOUTH ROUTT/RABBIT EARS Harrison Creek ................... 62 The Divide Trail .................. 63 Lynx Pass .......................... 65 ROAD/MIXED RIDES ....... 66 FAMILY RIDES ................ 71

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Photo by Doug Davis

HAYDEN ......................... 73

35


Using this guide

Finding the Information You Need This Guide includes just a sampling of more than 75 routes and 500 miles of single-track riding around Steamboat Springs

Distance The length of the highlighted trail.

36

Elevation The lowest and highest points of the highlighted ride.

Rating Based on the Trail Difficulty Rating System published by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). This system focuses on the trail’s technical challenge, not the physical exertion required to enjoy it. Rating a trail is challenging; these ratings provide a general idea of the difficulty of each region. Our 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 General idea of when the ride is free of snow and dry enough to ride without harming trails.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Pedal Into the Past

Historic Steamboat Bike Tour Want a great way to explore some of Steamboat’s colorful, Western history? Take the town’s historic bike tour, which rolls you by 18 properties representing the town’s fascinating past.

Bike Tour Destinations 1. Initiated in 1914, Howelsen Hill is the oldest ski area in continuing use west of the Mississippi. The Hill is home to the Winter Carnival and has been the site for numerous national and world record-breaking ski jumps. (285 Howelsen Parkway) 2. The Yampa Valley Electric Association was formed in 1940 as part of FDR’s nationwide program of rural electrification. The 1956 YVEA Building was designed by famed architect Eugene Sternberg as the headquarters for its growing customers. The building boasts the prairie-style roof and distinctive stone façade. (32 10th Street) 3. Designated on the Local Register, Lithia Spring’s milky waters contain a high content of lithium, a mineral used to treat the mood swings of manic depression. The spring’s stone entrance columns were built by H.W. Gossard, who planned to bottle and sell the waters as “Miraquelle” in the 1930s. (700 Lithia Spring Road) 4. The Italianate Steamboat Springs Depot was a necessity for the coming of the passenger service railroad. Built in 1909 by architect Frank Edbrooke, the Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Across the street lies the town’s namesake Steamboat Spring, once a bubbling geyser quieted forever by the construction of the railroad. Folklore has it that fur trappers heard what they thought was a Steamboat on the river, only to find this spring. (1000 13th Street) 5. Steamboat Springs’ founder, James Crawford, frequented the Iron Spring for its mineral waters and built his cabin close to the spring. His granddaughter, Lulita Crawford Pritchett, described growing up on Iron Spring lemonade which the family made by mixing half a lemon with a tablespoon of sugar and then adding Iron Spring water to create a carbonated fizz. (1300 Lincoln Avenue) 6. Now home of The Laundry restaurant, the WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Steamboat Laundry Building constructed in 1910 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The building needed two additions for the growth of the washing service that served northwestern Colorado until the 1960s. (127 11th Street) 7. Designed by architect Eugene Sternberg, the Hillcrest Apartments were constructed in 1958 and embrace several elements of the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian style as evidenced by the building’s integration with the landscape. The distinctive roof lines also are seen in the YVEA Building, the Butterfly Building in Little Toots Park, and other residences designed by Sternberg. (302 11th Street) 8. In 1900, the Carver family built the Carver Power Plant next to their house to provide electricity to the local population. The system’s steam was used to heat nearby schools and residences. (124 10th Street) 9. Bishop Spalding started St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at the turn of the century. The church building was constructed and consecrated in 1913. The native sandstone used in the construction came from the Steamboat Town and Quarry Company on Emerald Mountain. (846 Oak Street) 10. The Queen Anne-style building that houses the Tread of Pioneers Museum was built in 1908 by Ernest Campbell. The Museum features a ski gallery, a Ute Indian exhibit, and an original passenger stage coach from the late 1800s. (800 Oak Street) 11. The Routt County National Bank building was erected in 1919 and built by stone mason Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian immigrant renowned for his influence in bringing skiing to Steamboat. The upper floor was designed as a meeting place for the Masonic Lodge. (802 Lincoln Avenue) 12. The Christian Science Church was built in 1934, after the Christian Science Society had been meeting in Steamboat for nearly three decades. Mrs. James Crawford, pioneer mother of the community, was one of its charter members. (639 Oak Street) 13. A striking visual element in residential Steamboat Springs, the Seventh Street District, from Pine

Street to Laurel Street, is eligible for designation, characterized by Craftsman and Bungalow type houses. 14. Constructed in 1910, the Craig House exemplifies the heritage and development of Routt County and is associated with James Lafayette Norvell, considered the county’s first entrepreneur as a developer and cattle buyer. Norvell is also credited with developing parts of Hayden and Craig. The house is an excellent local example of the Bungalow style of architecture. (204 Hill Street) 15. The Routt County Courthouse represents the development of Routt County, its government, and the establishment of Steamboat as the permanent county seat. A simplified Classical Revival building with Beaux Arts influences constructed in 19221923, it was designed by master architect Robert Kenneth Fuller. (522 Lincoln Avenue) 16. Nominated and listed on the State Register of Historic Properties and the Local Register, the Rabbit Ears Motel Sign has been greeting visitors along Highway 40 since 1953. It remains an enduring and established visual feature of the community. (201 Lincoln Avenue) 17. The 130-acre Legacy Ranch District serves as a gateway to the city and reminds citizens and visitors of the significant role that high country farming and ranching played in the development of Colorado. The intact, operable ranch and continues to serve in this capacity. (35435 Hwy 40) 18. The Mesa School was built in 1916 by Art Gumprecht, serving grades one through eight until rural school district consolidation was completed in 1959. The schoolhouse was restored by Historic Routt County in 2000 and gifted to the City for use as a community meeting center. (33985 Hwy 40) - Many thanks to the City of Steamboat Springs Planning Department and the Steamboat Springs Historic Preservation Commission for providing the information for this section.

See Map on page 38 37


yR 6 d3

ark Strawberry P

13th St

h Fis

16

kF

Bu

St

arl St

St

Rd

ar

Sp ckm

er

Dr

Trafalgaar

St

alg

f Tra

Howelsen Hill

P

Bla

Dr

h Fis alls Old ek F e Cr Rd

Lup D

Pe

ate

Ag

1

ry

Rd

en

ou nit Ma e v A

Fairview

s all

ee

Cr

Ct

er

er St rim

4th St

15

Lincoln Ave

ne

i Alp

Ch

H

m

Ja

5th St

6th St

2nd Street

Ave Park

7th St

8th St

La aple M

le Tra MoonWillow il

9th St

10th St

t

S es

St

s Ea Howelsen Ice Arena

St

rkway

utt

St

St

gs

Critter Ct

t 14

ill S

ple

a tM

Yampa St

Ro

pin

Gil

kin

sS

an

rin

Sp

Pit

Ev

hia

Lit

Library

L

Howelsen Pa

ve aA iew irv Fa r D

og rat

Sa

11

OId Town ey Hot Springs bn Da n

t eS

Litt

5

2

13 12

Sp

er nif Co Cr

Ct

r me ari L N. t dS oa r B

n c e to

r

Prin

kD

Par

4 3

11th St

12th St

6

8

9

r

Old ck StoRd

Dream Island Plaza

7

tD

ffie Stu Ct ian Ind rails T

ys

r

Sa

eth Am

eek Cr

Conestoga Cr Ln ke Bla

n aL

Aspen St

e nif e rk tch

rk

ve

g rin Sp ek D e Cr

Pa

id nK

te

Cemetery Rd

e Av

t

Loggers Ln

uri

o iss

dS an Gr

t

eC

ga

Movie theater M ruc

S 83

Dr

ve nA

Lo

Museum

Kamar Plaza

Alpine Slide Rodeo grounds

Yampa River Core Trail #

38

Historic bike tour destinations

Yam

R

ITS IM L Y CIT Cartoons by Mack Maschmeier

rv Cu

Pa

St

Elk River Plaza

l kP

r

h nta wi Pa St las t ug eS t i on hm Ya n

ITS IM YL CIT

Yampa Valley Regional Airport

Bu

Do

Uncochief Cr St rg nbe r o Th ge L lla Vi t tt S kin ard rri ks e c lev M Bu Dr ou B e Th ve s dA m a for d w bA r Cra Bo D Pine St Soda Ridge Way Oak St10

r

sD od Wo t bS No

N.

Steamboat Lake

e Av

3rd St

reek

t oo erf De e o ah ap Ar Ln

t yS i nl e K Mc

aC Sod

Strawberry Park Hot Springs

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


eD

r

Whistler Meadows

Haymaker Covey Golf Course Cir n Catamount iew L Skyv r da Golf Course Ce wk Ha

Dr rs nte u H ear r B kD ee Cr

ad

ow

Yam

pa

Riv er

Ct

Sequ oia Ct

Ln

Ln

d

rR

ve

Granite Rd

lock HemCt

les

Ri

r

Tree Haus D

r

sD

is We

Ing

17 18 Inca Rd

d Re Ct othy ne La Tim Dr e n StoHiawatha 39 adow Me Ct Ct Ct k r Pa

y

ert

ow

W

gh

ad

e

Chino Athens Plaza

D

Brom

d

ay ki W

es S

n tai r un Ci Mo llage Vi

l Va

r

Mt. We rn

Apr

lag

Me

Wa

Rd

e

Vil

W

eD bin

d

Cr

w

o ad Sh un R

R ek

S ne

lum

liam

e ad sc Ca Dr

Dr

ng low

Co

ge

ici Med

e

Tennis Center

n lto

Alp e

riv

er R

re

Ap

o k Ln

Wil

ay iW

k sS

eD lag

40

Ski Trails

ay

Strings Music Festival Park

d eri Eagl

way

r

Mt .W

prin s Rd g

Ro

d

High

m

ay sW

ie ck

eR

U.S.

Sto r

Sk

rov

Mt. Werner Rd

Poma Ln

d Roa

am Ste

Dr

im iT

Cor

nice

lvd boat B

ek Cre

Clubhouse Dr

Rd rs gle An n kL ree hC

Fis

Fish

eS

eG Pin

Dr ey all Dr rk d-V Pa er tch Fe

Resort Dr

Dr

Ln

w

d

re

a qu

Vil

Botanic park

Ln ontv ie

eR

Steamboat Ski Area

r er C ern

rov

sD ow

ail Tr

Movie theater M

Central

rk Pa

ad Me

Ski

Creel Ln e Retreat Plac e n to s g in Roll Dr Pin eG

Way

lta Ct De ueen Q Ln in Cor nice wa T Ct. rk a M

en Ln

rs Ct

d

n hla Hig ay W

hez

gle

Ranch Rd

Mi

ITS LIM

Rd

r

r Que

Ln

River

Ang

dw

Re

Trails Edge

ge

Rollingstone Glac Overlook Golf Course Dr

Rd

sD

d oo

Kinnikinnick

id ier R

Natc

la

iver

rive Maze & lemini-golf rs D

tlin

Myra Vista Ct

Fox Ln

Temple Knoll

ay eW

Lif

e

Ln

me

Pa

Yampa R

bo

Golf Course

Visitors center

lvd

B at

am

Ste

d

eR

dg Ri

Bu rgess Creek Rd

oo Br

Graystone Drive

r

. rt E be Ro e Rd Le his mp Ct e M lle Be

W

Christi Dr

Tam ara

Ct

le Tra MoonWillow il

r

kC

sD

ler

g An

A s pe

e hit

ry The Sanctua w

ive

ay Golf View W

Cheyenne Ct

do

Dr

Forest View Dr

N

a Me

pe

As

e

e

an

dL

oo nW

nW ood

CIT YL IM ITS

Sprin g Cr eek

M er

Ch

mb tea lvd S . B

Trafalgar

Y

t oa

te wa

an

rL

w Mountain Vie Estates

Litt

lls

Sundance Ct

Fish Creek Meadows

ry

Dr

Willet Ridge

r

ea

te wa

Rive

a Ke na Highla Fi u Cr Ma Ln t t t ille n s u R cu W Ct Lo Ct Valderdant Cr ou rib Ca ple Valderdant Ct Ap Dr n ne pi Lu yL r r Dr be Dr ck Ct ck Bla de StormCt lsi l t i Peak C H i . lh n W L e Ke e Driv att Hillsid Wy Ct r in nta tt D u a Mo Wy Hilltop orm t a S ist aV en Ct u B Robin Ct Spring Hill Rd Ln p o t l Hil r. D r ga fal Tra Longview Parkview Dr Cr Po An High int Dr

Black Bear Ln

e

en a

F nta Sa rail T

t

ley Val ew Vi

o nc Co Ln

eS

Rd

Rd Willet lls Fa k Heights sh Cree nds

il

ra rT

Cl

Fish Creek Falls

ry er

a rdi

ew

Vi

av

He

ay Deer Alexander W Clover Ln Al pin eD r

a eS Blu Cr

leb ck Hu n L

r g rin r Sp ek D e Cr

Blue Spruce Ct Blue Sage Ct Ridge View Dr

ge

ly en


40

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

41


Howelsen/Emerald Mountain Park About Emerald: Across the valley from Mount Werner lies the town’s mountain biking jewel, Emerald Mountain. Accessible from the heart of downtown via the Yampa Core Trail, Emerald fits the needs of a wide range of rider abilities with more than 4,000 acres of public land and miles of connected singletrack. While the trail network may appear daunting to new riders, don’t worry. Several core trails, including Lupine, Blackmere, Mile Run and Larry’s, serve as central and easily navigable arteries up Emerald. From these trails you can experiment by veering off onto a number of side loops en route to the Quarry overlook. Offshoot loops like Blair Witch, Quarry Mountain, MGM, Root Canal and Eye-to-Eye offer miles of tacky, singletrack that wend through wildflower-filled meadows and groves of aspen, shrub oak and pine. For

42

longer rides, you can also tie in a loop on the Ridge and Beall trails off the backside of Emerald. Season: Late May through October Trail rating: More difficult (fair amount of climbing) Total mileage: Depends on your route. Lupine, Blair Witch, Quarry Mountain, Root Canal, Stairway to Heaven and MGM clocks in at 9.8 miles. Know before you go: Just remember that what goes up gets to come down. 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. Bottom line? It’s a mountain biking Mecca. Trailheads and Parking: Three main trailheads serve the numerous riding options on Emerald

Mountain. Each can be linked to miles of additional trails, which all generally connect back to the core trails listed. The Emerald Mountain trail system has ample parking at the stables, at Howelsen Lodge and at Blackmere Drive. Parking gets tight during Triple Crown baseball and softball events, which occur throughout the summer, so do like the locals do and ride from your accommodations as a nice warm up. Lupine Trailhead: For a local favorite try the twisty Lupine trail, which is accessed, along with Bluff Loops, via the trailhead next to the stables and restrooms behind the Rodeo grounds. Mile Run Trailhead: A second option is Mile Run. A ski run during the winter season, this wide trail provides a moderate grade to access the higher riding options. The trailhead sign is located by the winter tubing building between

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Photo from Steamboat Pilot & Today

the white pavilion and northernmost baseball field at the base of Howelsen Hill. Veer right along the base of the Nordic ski jumps. The trail winds northwest and then cuts behind Howelsen Hill. Blackmer Trailhead: Blackmer, which doubles as an emergency access road, provides the most forgiving riding option to the Quarry overlook (but you’ll still learn to count the three major switchbacks). Head down the bike path or Lincoln Avenue 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 short-cut singletrack heading up to your left). Then take a left onto Saratoga Avenue and a final quick right onto Routt Street, which ends at a parking area and the trailhead. Note: For details see Trails illustrated map #118 Steamboat Springs/Rabbit Ears, which includes 38 total miles on Howelsen/Emerald. And don’t forget to check out the City Skills Park and BMX course at the base of Howelsen Hill, built and maintained by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

P o o L s | F i t n e s s C e n t e r | WAt e r s L i D e s • Fitness Center • Exercise Classes • Waterslides • 25-Yard Lap Pool • Hot Mineral Pools

• Rock Climbing Wall • Kiddie Pool (summer) • Massage • Tennis Courts (summer) • Snack Bar (summer, winter)

• Child Care • Suit, Towel Rentals • Pro Shop Open Daily - call for hours

136 Lincoln Avenue - Downtown

970-879-1828 • www.oldtownhotsprings.org WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

43


Beall/Ridge Trails Beall Trail

Total mileage: 6.63 miles Know before you go: One of the newest editions on Emerald Mountain, 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/Trailheads: You can access the Beall Trail from two places — the top of Emerald Mountain or via Routt County Road 45, known as Cow Creek Road, off Road County Road 33 (Twentymile Road). From downtown, ride up your favorite Emerald Mountain trail and connect with the Quarry Mountain Trail. The Quarry Mountain Trail leads to the two-track road along the top ridge of Emerald Mountain. Follow the road west to the BLM sign and the start of the Ridge Trail. The Beall Trail begins just to the left of the Ridge Trail.

Description: On the decent from the top of Emerald you will traverse the mountain riding a gentle grade on non-technical singletrack. There are several ups and downs along the way and some trickier sections, but you need not be an expert mountain biker to enjoy this trail. 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.

Ridge Trail

Total mileage: 5 miles 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, and the options to link together longer rides, via either the Rotary Trail towards the bottom, or a return up the Beall trail or back on County Road 33. Parking: Parking is available at Howelsen Lodge, or on Cow Creek (County Road 45)

Description: The trail can accessed from the front side of Emerald at the base of Howeslen Hill, as an out and back, or as a loop in either direction via Cow Creek off Road County Road 33 “Twenty Mile Road”. To get to the trailhead at Cow Creek head out Routt County Road 33 “Twenty Mile Road” and turn left on Cow Creek (County Road 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. 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.

Photo by Jay Kinghorn

Emerald Backside

44

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Rotary Trail Varied Five-Mile Loop

that wind 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.

Photo by Aryeh Copa

Season: Early May - 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

Parking: From the library, head west on 13th Street for approximately 7 miles (Twentymile Road/County Road 33). Turn left on Cow Creek Road (County Road 45) and go one mile. Two parking areas are available on the left. Rating: Easy (Rotary)/More Difficult (Ridge) Description: The Rotary Trail is accessed by riding up .65 mile and 125 vertical feet of the Ridge Trail. The Rotary trail turns left off of the 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 the roller coaster. From there, it’s a mile back to the trailhead on gradual up and down smooth trail that gains 65 vertical feet back to the trailhead.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

45


What’s New

Photo by Larry Pierce

at the Ski Area

While Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation known for its world class terrain and champagne powder in the winter, it’s also making waves on the bike front, putting its summer cycling options on the map as much as its skiing. It’s come a long way since its first trails were installed nearly three decades ago; its biking options have grown to encompass a variety of trails for all ability levels spread across the resort. It’s also in the final stages of an updated Summer Master Plan that lays the foundation for new downhill trails marking the first steps in its dedicated freeride bike park (please pick up a current trail map at the resort). Following are a few highlights of note: 46

Bicycle-Friendly Business Platinum Designation The resort has pedaled its way to earning the Platinum Designation in Bicycle Friendly Business program from Routt County Riders for its contributions to the local cycling community. Steamboat was recognized for its vast mountain bike trail network; engagement in the Bike Town USA Initiative; involvement in community-wide programs; hosting and sponsoring numerous bike events and programs; participating in thousands of hours of employee volunteerism; participating in bike initiatives such as Bike To Work; and donating

to local organizations. “Emphasizing biking as a lifestyle and recreational outlet helps our community live a healthy, active lifestyle, lessens our impact on the environment, and puts us on the map as a biking destination,” says Jim Schneider, vice president of skier services.

New Steamboat Bike Park A new era in mountain biking debuted to rave reviews last fall when the mountain offered a sneak preview of the Steamboat Bike Park and three new downhill mountain bike trails. The preview began with two downhill green trails, E-Z Rider STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


and Wrangler Gulch, and the expert black jump trail, Buckin’ Bronc. These gravity trails showcase the work of mountain bike trail developer Gravity Logic, along with the Steamboat trail crew, who spent endless hours building and preparing the trails for their premiere. Buckin’ Bronc, the expert jump trail, contains step down rollers, a wooden berm/wall ride, large dirt berm, a 10-foot wooden ladder step down/ step up, rollers and nine table-top dirt jumps in rapid succession. The green trails feature dirt berms, banked turns and wooden slat and ladder bridges The Steamboat Bike Park officially opens this summer and work is currently underway to complete the new intermediate downhill trail, Rustler’s Ridge. In addition, Zig Zag will temporarily be converted to a downhill only trail, while Why Not Road will be utilized for uphill cross country bike access for this summer The park’s trails will open as conditions allow (riders must stay off closed trails) and Steamboat’s bike patrol will be available only when the mountain bike trails are open. The park falls under the resort’s SlopeWise Code and carries the same

principles as in the winter. The gondola opens for downhill riding on June 15 (weekend only) and June 23 seven days a week.

Promenade, Burgess Creek and Stage The natural sounds of Burgess Creek return to the mountain village when the creek starts flowing again through the heart of the Steamboat Ski Area, bringing to life the new Promenade this summer. The final elements of this five-year, nearly $20 million urban renewal project come to fruition as a freeflowing Burgess Creek and the public promenade, which encircles the base of the ski mountain and connects summertime guests to Steamboat’s core mountain locations. The creek will flow through natural features including stone bridges at water level, small waterfalls and stone seating areas. Resort officials will be able to manage flow levels for safe wading by diverting runoff. Also new is a permanent, multi-level outdoor concert/performing arts stage in Gondola Square that will host concerts and other events through the summer and fall. The best outdoor seating area

is at the Terrace and Umbrella Bar, just off the Bear River Bar & Grill.

Mountain Village Events Several new events have been added to this year’s summer line-up, taking full advantage of the resort’s new base area complex. The Big Mountain Enduro (July 21) is expected to host 200 riders, across a 26-mile course along the Divide Trail. Entering its third year, Ride4Yellow (July 28) covers roughly 26 miles of pristine single-track across the Continental Divide and finishes at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area. There are plenty of other events as well, from OktoberWest in September to the Mad Mudder Run, concerts and more.

Note Before riding at the Steamboat Bike Park, please review the information on the summer trail map and obey all posted signs and warnings. Info: www.steamboat.com

l e d s

e k e w r WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

47


48

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

49


Voted

Best Shop Bike

Quality Old Town Service at Low Prices. 5 t h & L i n c o l n Ave | 9 7 0 . 8 7 9 .9144 | www.steamboatskiandbike.com

50

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Skyline Trail Quick Ride through the Aspens

Parking: This trail starts at the Water Treatment Plant. Take the Mt. Werner exit from Hwy 40 just south of downtown, heading east toward the ski area. Turn left at Steamboat Boulevard and follow it past the golf course into the Sanctuary

Photo by Dave Epperson

Season: Early June-October Know before you go: This is a short loop, which dries out quickly in the spring. This area is also populated by moose, so please pay attention to posted signs.

neighborhood. The Water Treatment Plant will be on your right, just after you cross Fish Creek. There is a good parking lot with a map of the trail posted there. Rating: Easy Description: The trail goes along the new fence line behind the parking lot and joins up to the singletrack on the left. Then it switchbacks for a bit until you enter the aspen trees. You do a small circular trail through the aspens and onto the ridgeline heading back toward Steamboat Boulevard. Continue to a couple more switchbacks down the hill and onto Steamboat Boulevard. Ride the road a couple minutes and you’re back at the Water Treatment Plant.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

51


Steamboat’s BMX, pump tracks huge successes

Two trails for toddlers, teens and more While Steamboat has a wealth of trails luring mountain bikers to town, it also has a couple of more urban-esque options providing bank-filled fun for the whole family.

The BMX Track

Photo from Steamboat Pilot & Today

BMX has found a home in the ‘Boat. Steamboat Springs has a newly redesigned BMX track that is free and bike-friendly for all ages and all types of riders, adding yet another dimension to local riding options. Located near the base of Howelsen Hill across the river from downtown, the 950-foot, professionally designed track officially opened

in fall 2010, providing a top-tier facility for the BMX-light Rocky Mountain region. “It’s a technical, professional course,” says Brian Deem, who was instrumental, along with Gina Grether and Eric Bress, in getting the course built. “It’s a varied course that requires more than just one skill to ride well. It teaches the kids how to jump, but it’s also a very competitive track.” The result of Steamboat’s small BMX club, Team Flying Wheels, aligning with the nonprofit National Bicycle League, the course was five years in the making and came about via donations from SSX Excavating, Wagner Rents, Prestige Property Detailing, private donors and

52

more. It turns back on itself for four straight shots, each littered with carefully considered rollers, mounds and berms designed to challenge experts and beginners alike — from seasoned BMXers and freeriders to toddlers on Striders. Organizers have also added starting gates, lights and a public address system for the local 10-race BMX summer series racing circuit, open to kids and adults. “This could even generate a state or a national BMX race,” says Grether. “It has that potential.” Info: Team Flying Wheels, 970-871-9500.

The Pump Track Local and visiting riders now have something else to get pumped up about in Steamboat. The Pump Track, located in Ski Time Square just north of the base of the Steamboat Ski Area, is the latest addition to the town’s quick and easy riding options, taking riders on a bankfilled, pedal-less course at the base of Mount Werner. “We worked really hard for two years to get a pump track in Steamboat, and it’s a fantastic addition,” says project ringleader Cory Prager, who coaches the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Gravity Team. “It rides really well.” A pump track is designed to allow riders to cruise the entire course without pedaling, relying on “pumping” up and down the slopes to take advantage of gravity and momentum. Opened in July 2010, the project is a partnership between the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s Gravity Team, the City of Steamboat Springs and the Atira Group, which allowed the track to be built on its property. The Pump Track is a great skill-building tool, and is open and free to riders of all ages and ability. Info: SSWSC Gravity Team, (970) 819-0843

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Spring Creek Trail Popular Trail Close to Town Season: Mid May – Mid October Know before you go: This trail weaves back and forth over the 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 if Buffalo Pass Road (Routt County Road 38) is ridden.

Parking: From downtown Steamboat Springs travel north on 3rd Street and turn right at stop sign onto Pine Street which will turn into East Maple Street. Pass the Steamboat Springs High School on the right and follow road to the end where it intersects with Amethyst Drive. At this stop sign the parking lot for the trail is directly across the street. This is RCR 34. If driving, park car here. Rating: More Difficult Description: Begin pedaling up the dirt road. Keep in mind that this is a road that cars do travel on. Stay over to the right. The road will turn to a double track in about .5 miles. Follow this double track up above Spring Creek Park (featuring two reservoir ponds and gazebo.) The first bridge crossing will be in about ½ mile. Stay on this double track for another mile until the trailhead sign is reached. 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. There is a gate that closes the trail from November 15th until April 15th for elk habitat preservation. 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 ruts. 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 ft. 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.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

53


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 Mt Zirkel Wilderness area, or you could be ticketed. Parking: Ample parking is available about 5 miles up CR 129 at the Mad Creek trailhead, and another hald mile beyond at the Red Dirt trailhead (you can also ride CR 129 directly to

No Bikes in Wilderness Area

54

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


5 , t o

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 post-ride soak) and finally back into town.

Photo by Dave Epperson

l

each trailhead). The other option is to ride the Strawberry Park Hot Springs Road, CR 36, to the Hot Springs trail. Ride this trail down to CR 129 and then turn right and go 0.25 miles to the trailhead. Trail Ratings: More Difficult (Mad Creek)/ Very Difficult (Red Dirt)

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

55


Lower Bear and climbing the scrub oak-filled hillside with a series of switchbacks. After 1.6 miles, or 20 minutes to half an hour you’ll reach the old Two-track trail, which is even steeper. Turn left and climb another .4 miles (2 miles from trailhead) to the overlook at the top of a saddle, where you can enjoy a commanding vista of the Yampa Valley and Mount Werner. 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. Turn left and continue on to such clandestine classics as MRP (which takes you into Mad Creek) or the even more remote Summit Park trail, or stay on it to its end at a big 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.

Photo from Steamboat Pilot & Today

Season: Early June-October Know before you go: This trail is a beauty, and one of the first 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, 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 County Road 36 (Hot Springs Road). Park at the pull-out for the Lower Bear Trail on the right and look for the single-track trail heading north from its far end. Rating: Intermediate 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

Winona’s

Everyone is sure to leave happy! Open Over 20 years Home of the world-famous cinnamon roll

• 970-879-2483 •

Open 7am-3pm Monday to Sunday Saturday & Sunday ser ving breakfast till noon Located on Lincoln Avenue bet ween 6th & 7th street

56

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Nipple Peak/ Lopez Creek Loop Season: Late June – early October Know before you go: This approximately 20-mile, technical, north Routt loop is a favorite bike ride, but is also shared by four-wheelers, ATVs and motorcycles. It’s best ridden counter-clockwise loop. The ride is gorgeous during the fall colors. Parking: From Steamboat Springs, turn north at 7-11, and follow Elk River Road (County Road 129) past Columbine to U.S. Forest Road 47, on the left just past the Summit Creek Guard Station. Park off Forest Road 47. Rating: Very Difficult Description: Follow USFS Road 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.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

This area can be wet early summer. Stay on trail #1156 across USFS Road 487 to USFS Road 488. Turn right on USFS road 488 and travel to the junction with County Road 129. You can stay on the trail back to 129, but at this point some smoother riding is welcome. Turn left on County Road 129 and return to the starting point. Other trails can be accessed from the Nipple Peak

loop. See map and consult local bike shops for more information.

57


Big Red Park Manzanares Loop No Bikes i n Wilderness A r e a

Trail #1101 north about 13 miles to Manzanares Trail #1204. Follow the trail west about 5 miles back to the trailhead #1203. 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.

Photo by Dave Dietrich

Season: July 1 to mid-October (officially closes December 1) Know before you go: This area has challenging hilly, rocky sections and steep grades. Loose rock portions may require dismounting. Be aware of jeep, 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 CR 129 past Steamboat Lake and Hahns Peak Lake. Just past Columbine, turn right on FR 550. Proceed north 4 miles and turn right on FR 500. After 2 miles, turn right onto FR 402, which becomes rough and wet with deep holes (4WD recommended). The Farewell Mountain trailhead (#1203) is 1 mile up the road. Trail Ratings: Very Difficult Description: Take Farwell Mountain Trail #1203 southeast about 5 miles to NFSR 409, then follow the road about 3 miles to Wyoming Trail #1101. Take

58

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


p

Grizzly-Helena

No Bikes in Wilderness Area

e l d

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Season: Late June – Mid October Know before you go: This ride is only for the adventurous and is very challenging, but the reward is an intimate overview of the Park Range, with many creek crossings and views of the drainages feeding North Park from the Divide. The trail is open to OHVs, so singletrack and two-track sections require being alert of other users. Some sections require portage and orientation skills. High water and vast beaver ponds suggest better riding in mid- to late summer. The trail is as rewarding as it is challenging. Parking: There are three main access points to this trail: • Southern terminus (Grizzly Trailhead): Access FR 60 either by climbing Buffalo Pass Road to Summit Lake and continuing to the east side, or from Colorado State Highway 14 by taking Jackson County Road 24 west to the National Forest boundary. Turn north on FR 615 and go past Teal and Tiago lakes to the trailhead at road’s end. • Trail midpoint (Lone Pine Trailhead): This trailhead allows access to the trail north or south at approximately 15 miles from each terminus. From Colorado State Highway 14 at Walden, go west on Jackson County Road 12W for approximately 18 miles, turn south on Jackson County Road 16 to the Forest Boundary. Riders south

will find the Lone Pine South trailhead approximately 1 mile west of the boundary. Riders north can either use the Brown Creek Road (FR 650, a rough 4WD road that parallels the boundary and connects with the trail after about 3 miles) or the trail itself, accessed 1.5 miles farther west at the Lone Pine North trailhead. • Northern terminus (Helena Trailhead): From Colorado State Highway 125 at Cowdrey, go west on Jackson County Road 6W 18 miles to the community of Pearl. Turn west on FR 600, following FR 600 again by turning south toward Big Creek Lakes, then turn south across the Big Creek Lakes outlet to take FR 660 south to the Helena trailhead. Trail Rating: Very Difficult Description: The entire trail may be ridden using car shuttles between the Grizzly trailhead and the Helena trailhead south of Big Creek Lakes. Shorter out and back rides or alternate access are also available from the Rainbow Lakes, Pitchpine and Red Canyon trailheads, all accessible by turnoffs from Jackson County Road 12W west of Walden. Jackson County Roads 5 and 7 run northsouth and provide connections between the interior trailheads for all-gravel shuttle routes. Be prepared for loose trail, abrupt ups and downs, and creek crossings in many areas. From the southern trailhead, pay attention after about .72 miles, at the intersection with the Agua Fria trail. This trail leads up a difficult but rewarding climb to a beautiful lake, but you will need to stay right (east) to remain on the Grizzly-Helena trail.

59


Seedhouse Area Trails

Pristine Trails in North Routt all closure information and contact the Forest Service Hotline for information. Also, please report any new downfall.

Season: Late June to 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. The Forest Service is continuing to close areas for tree clearing - read

60

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. Trail Ratings: 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 counterclockwise 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.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


e e -

s s s d , y . t f t w g

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

61


Harrison Creek/Routt Divide Trail #1108

Photo by Dave Dietrich

Season: Mid July to Early September Know before you go: Bring rain gear, food and water (the starting elevation is about 9,000 feet, so stay hydrated). The Forest Service is continuing to close areas for tree clearing — read all closure information and contact the Forest Service Hotline for information. The following roads may be closed with no access — Rabbit Ears Pass area: Road 311-Dumont Lake to Base Camp – CDNST, Road 251- Harrison Creek Loop. Parking: Take Hwy 40 west from Steamboat Springs to the intersection of Dumont/FR 251. Park on the right at the entrance of FR 251. There is a sign for Harrison Creek. Rating: Very Difficult Description: Start the ride from the intersection south on FR 251 at approximately 3 miles. Veer left on to FR 303, and left again onto FR 303.1C; the path is easy to follow. Veer left onto Routt Divide Trail 1108 at trailhead sign. The trail starts with short descents combined with short, tricky and sometimes rocky climbs. Go through the meadow, even if the trail disappears in the grass (it picks up on the other side). Next comes the mandatory hike a bike. It’s steep, rocky and tough, but is mostly downhill. The singletrack will end on Buffalo Park Road, and go left. Now you’re in for a 10-mile moderate dirt road climb back to Hwy 40. From here, it’s half a mile to your car.

62

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


8

The Divide Trail Continental Divide Trail/Mountain View Trail Dumont Lake to Steamboat Ski Area

g e e n. s d

e of

1 n t s h n p, d e a

Season: Early July to Mid-October Know before you go: This rolling, scenic trail is a classic Steamboat epic. It is also the route for the Ride4Yellow event. 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 driver, who will not be riding. Your car will be left at Dumont Lake, and the ride will end back in Steamboat. Also, check with local bike shops for trail conditions. Be aware of early season snow and/or fallen trees. Parking: From Steamboat, take Hwy 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. Trail Rating: More Difficult Trail 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 WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

you take slight right onto Trail #1101 (Wyoming/ Continental 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 ½ 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 #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 Fish

Creek Falls 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. When the road comes to and intersection, look for the Elkhead singletrack straight ahead. Take a right on the road at end of Elkhead, then a quick left to keep gondola building on your right. Descend Huffman’s to a right turn onto a dirt road, and another right turn onto Valley View and finally straight on Sitz to Yoo-hoo. The ride ends at bottom of Steamboat Ski Area.

Other trail options in the area 1. Dumont Lake to Summit Lake on # 1101. Descend Buffalo Pass Road to Dry Lake. Spring Creek Trail down into town. 2. Dumont Lake to Fish Creek Falls Trail. Same directions as Mountainview, but stay on #1102 Fish Creek Falls for arguably the most technical descent in the Steamboat area. 3. Base Camp Road towards Base Camp, turn left on #1101 and ride back to your vehicle on the singletrack. Easier 8-mile loop, no shuttle required. 4. Climb Steamboat Ski Area and use Mountainview to access Divide Trail to Summit Lake and descend Buffalo Pass Road to Spring Creek, or Mountainview to Fish Creek Falls trail. 63


L No Bikes in Wilderness Area

s A r C

F t t 3

64

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Lynx Pass Season: June-October Know before you go: This is a 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 Hwy 40 east from Steamboat. Follow State Highway 131 south for 39 miles to State Highway 134. Follow 134, 8.2 miles to Forest Road #270 (Lynx Pass). Follow 270 3 miles and turn right onto Forest Road #263

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

Rock Creek/Tepee Creek

for ¼ mile. (If you pass the bathrooms, you’ve gone too far.) Park on the side of the road at the sharp switchback to the right. Rating: More Difficult Trail 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 Forest Service Road 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 ½ 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 bottom of the descent, look for sharp right onto Tepee Creek Trail #1173. Climb along the Tepee Creek drainage back to the Forest Service Road 263. Continue straight across the road to stay on Tepee Creek trail. Hang on tight for the fast descent back to the trailhead.

65


Road/Mixed Rides Twentymile Road

Stagecoach/ Oak Creek Loop

where you can turn around (making it a 60-mile round trip from Steamboat Springs). Shoulder width varies significantly along the length of Elk River Road (RCR 129).

Gore Gruel A local’s favorite with rolling hills, plus a few hardy climbs, nice pavement and relatively low vehicle traffic especially on weekends. Twentymile Out and Back: From downtown Steamboat Springs, turn off Lincoln Ave. at the library onto 13th Street. This will turn into Routt County Road (RCR) 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 all the way to the coal mine at the junction of RCR 33 and RCR 27. Twentymile Loop: For a longer loop variation of the ride (53.53 miles) continue on CR 27, with several fast drops into the small town of Oak Creek. The return follows CR 14 past Stagecoach State Park and reservoir. There is about 1 mile of well-maintained dirt road on CR 14 after the short interlude on Highway 131 toward Steamboat Springs.

Emerald Loop

A 40-mile classic Steamboat loop. From Steamboat Springs head south on RCR 14 (River Road). At the junction of RCR 35, veer left across the railroad tracks onto RCR 14E and continue to the intersection with CO Hwy 131. Go right on 131 for a brief stretch, then turn left back onto RCR 14 heading to Stagecoach. Ride over Yellow Jacket Pass (this stretch has narrow shoulders and some rough pavement), past Stagecoach Reservoir and intersect again with CO Hwy 131. Turn right on CO Hwy 131 and head into Oak Creek. From Oak Creek, stay on CO 131, roll through the canyon and come back toward town, then turn left back onto RCR 14E to ride back in on River Road.

Elk River Road/ Seedhouse Road Out and Back

Steamboat’s signature 110-mile “century” ride. Head south from town on US Hwy 40 climbing over Rabbit Ears Pass, followed by some fast descending and rollers to Wolford Mountain Reservoir just before Kremmling. Turn right onto CO Hwy 134 for a scenic ride over Gore Pass. Descending from Gore Pass, turn right at the intersection with CO Hwy 131 through Toponas and head north. Just past Phippsburg take the right onto RCR 14, pass by Stagecoach Reservoir and tackle the few final short climbs. It’s best to start this ride early in the morning to avoid traffic on US 40 and to turn the corner at Toponas before the afternoon winds or storms pick up. Take an extra bottle, too. It’s about 70 miles before your first chance for a snack in Toponas. * Elevation profiles sourced from mapmyride.com

Airport Plus “Gravel Grinder”

A Routt County cobblestone classic. Head out of town on 13th Street/RCR 33 (Twentymile Road) up and over the first major climb and take a left onto RCR 43, where the gravel begins. Continue around the back side of Emerald Mountain, bearing right onto RCR 41. After the steep descent down to the Hilton Gulch schoolhouse, take a left back onto the pavement and continue down, merging with RCR 35, then left on RCR 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 30mile loop with about 6 miles of well-maintained gravel roads.

66

Gorgeous riding through small towns and historic ranches along the Elk River. Head north from Steamboat Springs on RCR 129 for a scenic, rolling ride through the Elk River Valley. Turn around at Clark for a 40-mile round trip. For a longer ride, turn right onto RCR 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. For an even 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

Equal parts pavement/dirt on this fun mixed ride around the Sleeping Giant. Head north on Elk River Road and past the Steamboat Airport to County Road 44 where you veer left onto the dirt. Continue out over the Elk River toward the Sleeping Giant and the farms that dot the countryside. Ride County Road 44 until it hits Hwy 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 county road 33. Over the railroad tracks and onto the dirt/gravel, then continue on 33 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 20 miles, with an estimated time of just over an hour. Elevation profiles from www.mapmyride.com

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


d s R

g g e c n h e d e o s t .

disclaimer Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs take no responsibility for users’ safety and in no way warrant the safety of the roadways. The inclusion of specific route descriptions in this guide does not signify a higher level of road or infrastructure maintenance and is not meant to recommend or condone a particular roadway for cycling. You are responsible for your own safety. All users should educate themselves on the rules of the road, and cycling safety, before using any of the routes shown. Your skill, fitness level, and comfort in diverse traffic situations, will determine the streets most suitable for your cycling needs. Be aware that automobile speeds and traffic volumes may vary depending upon the street and/or time of day.

e

e u r e y l n . n . n ,

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

67


Steamboat Springs

Bike Town USA Promoting safety, community enhancement and economic benefits through cycling Vision Steamboat Springs is the ultimate destination for cycling experiences. This vision of our future for cycling in our Steamboat Springs community suggests we can provide opportunities for the best cycling experiences in the world. Steamboat Springs has a unique opportunity to: • Enhance our community • Improve safety • Leverage the adjacent market to skiing • Create a unique brand to capture the world’s attention • Maximize existing assets • Increase sales tax revenue • Create new job opportunities • Promote economic vitality

Bike Town USA ® Founding partners

Partners We believe that by working in partnership with all related stakeholders, the Initiative serves as a catalyst to shape an exciting future for cycling in Steamboat Springs. • • • • • • • • • • •

68

City of Steamboat Springs Routt County government Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association U.S. Forest Service Colorado Division of Wildlife Bureau of Land Management Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation Routt County Riders Industry experts Steamboat Springs Economic Development Council Community members

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Support the vision For more information and to make a gift online, go to www.steamboatbiketown.com All money raised will be used to fund the resources and staff needed to achieve these goals. Funds raised will be leveraged with grants from various government, foundation and advocacy funding sources.

Resources BICYCLE COLORADO

ALLIANCE FOR BIKING AND WALKING

www.bicyclecolo.org The mission of Bicycle Colorado is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions, and provide a voice for cyclists in Colorado.

www.peoplepoweredmovement.org The Alliance is the North American coalition of grassroots bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.

BIKES BELONG

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION

www.bikesbelong.org Bikes Belong’s mission is to put more people on bicycles more often. They focus on federal policy and funding, national leadership, community grants, and bicycling promotion.

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

www.imba.com IMBA’s mission is to create, enhance, and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide.

69


“A bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.” —John Howard

TAKE CARE OF YOUR PASSENGER!

PILATES • PHYSICAL THERAPY • NUTRITION

www.AlignSteamboat.com | 970.870.0100 | 702 Oak Street

• • • •

Located at the base of the mountain along the new Promenade Bike-In & Bike-out: enjoy our new bike-washing station New Outdoor Bar: best cocktails & coldest beer on the mountain Full menu: Hand-tossed pizzas, Fresh Salads & the best Ribs… and more Located in the Torian Plum Plaza with free underground parking 970-879-2916 • www.slopesidegrill.com

70

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Easy Trail Rides

For the Whole Family Not all rides in Steamboat have to be lung- and quadricep-busting burlfests. The region also offers legions of rides that take it easy on your legs. Following are a few favorites.

Cycling State Parks Stagecoach State Park Eight miles of trails and adventures await at Stagecoach State Park. Two trails skirt the lake in a scenic, well-maintained, easy-to-ride dirt track. On the north side is the two-mile Lakeside Trail and on the south shore is the six-mile Elk Run Trail from the inlet to the dam. Join the two for an eight-mile ride, or complete the loop by riding on County Road 18 before taking a refreshing plunge into the lake. Stagecoach Lake offers camping, showers and bathroom facilities. From Steamboat Springs travel four miles south on U.S. 40, then five miles south on Colo. 131 to County Road 14. Drive seven miles south on 14 to the park entrance. Steamboat Lake State Park Like its neighbor to the south, Steamboat Lake State Park offers easy, scenic biking for the whole family, with views of the Zirkel Wilderness Area and other surrounding peaks. Ride the Willow Creek trail from the Dutch Hill Marina for 3.8 miles to the Sage Flats Day Use area. You can also try the Poverty Bar Trail, which highlights the area’s rich gold mining history while connecting to Routt National Forest. Access this 1.1-mile trail from the visitor’s center. The park also offers camping, beaches boat rentals and more. From Steamboat, head west of town on U.S. 40 and take a right at the 7-11 on Cty. Rd. 129. Drive 25 miles north to the park entrance. 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 towards the dam, paralleling the lake the whole way. Continue on for a more difficult route through the Routt County National Forest. To reach Pearl Lake drive west on U.S. 40 to Cty. Rd 129. Drive north until just before the Steamboat Lake WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

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

Other Family Friendly Rides Yampa Valley Core Trail A block off Lincoln Avenue lies Steamboat’s true summer Main Street — the Yampa River Core Trail — a seven-mile, multi-use pathway that parallels the Yampa River from Walton Creek Road on the east to the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge 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 for cruiser bikes in town. Abundant parking is available at Rotary Park at 13th Street and the Yampa River. Hint: ring your bell when passing pedestrians. Rotary Trail This summer, the local Rotary Club chapter is making final improvements to the new Rotary Trail on the backside of Emerald Mountain. Featuring easy climbs, smooth banks and a wide and smooth, user-friendly trail, the four-mile loop is accessed by riding .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 20 Mile Road/Cty. Rd. 33) for approximately seven miles. Turn left on Cow Creek Road (Cty. Rd. 45) and go one 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 two miles. From there, you can continue

up the single-track of Spring Creek trail proper for as long as your troopers’ legs last, or return the way you can, with a leisurely stop at the ponds. To get there, take Fish Creek Falls Road 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 Hotsprings — it’ll take you right there.

Bike Rentals Orange Peel Bike Shop 970-879-2957 Cruisers, Road, Mountain, High End Demos Ski Haus 970-879-0385 Cruisers, Road, Mountain, Comfort Bikes, Downhill Bikes Steamboat Bike Kare 970-879-9144 Cruisers, Road, Mountain, Kids Bikes and Trailers, Comfort Bikes, Tandoms One Stop Ski Shop 970-879-4754 Mountain, Rechargable Electric Bikes Christy Sports 879-1250 Mountain Fleischer Sport 970-870-0900 High End Demos, Mountain, Cruisers, Kids Bikes and Trailers, Junior Bikes, Road Wheels 970-846-7433 Mountain, Cruiser High End Demos too. Ride Sports 871-5252 Mountain 71


STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

W E

T O

R U N

A N D

R I D E

R O U T T

2012 RUN STEAMBOAT RUN FAST RUN OFTEN

RACE SCHEDULE Sun June 3 Steamboat Marathon Sun July 1

Mountain Madness

Wed July 4 Steamboat Sprint Sat July 14 Howelsen Hill 8 Miler Sat July 21 Spring Creek Memorial Sat Aug 4

Mt. Werner Classic

Sun Aug 12 Steamboat Stinger Sun Aug 19 Continental Divide Sun Sept 2 10K @ 10K Sept 14-15 Run Rabbit Run Sat Sept 22 Emerald Mtn FOR MORE INFO

72

WWW.RUNNINGSERIES.COM

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


Two Popular Hayden Rides Hayden Breeze Basin Mountain Bike Ride Know before you go: This is fairly easy 15- to 18-mile ride on dirt/gravel county roads, most of which receive minimal maintenance. This loop can often be ridden as early as mid-April and into late November (when it’s popular with hunters). Please respect private property. This route is best ridden counter-clockwise and can be slippery and impassable when wet. For further information, stop into Yampa Valley Feeds at the old grain elevator in downtown Hayden. Parking: Park at Dry Creek Park just past the Routt County Fairgrounds. Description: From the parking lot at Dry Creek Park, proceed straight through the intersection onto County Road 65 past Hayden Elementary School for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto County Road 61 for approximately 1 mile and then turn left again staying on County Road 61 heading East for 5.5–6 miles. Turn left at the “T” intersection onto

WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

County Road 59 for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto County Road 53 (paved) and head north back toward Hayden. Dry Creek Park will be on your right in approximately 1.5 miles.

Hayden Middle Cog Mountain Bike Ride Know before you go: This is a beautiful but challenging 20- to 25-mile ride on gravel/dirt county roads. This loop can often be ridden as early as mid-April, although you may run into snow drifts on County Road 74. During mild falls, this loop can be ridden into late November, but is popular with hunters. While the route is entirely on county roads, it is remote and cell phone service is limited. Please be respectful of the private property. This route is best ridden clockwise, putting the steepest climb at the very beginning. Once you leave County Road 80, the roads receive minimal maintenance (if wet, they can be slippery and impassable). For further information,

stop into Yampa Valley Feeds at the old grain elevator in downtown Hayden. Parking: Park in town just east of Yampa Valley Feeds along the railroad tracks on East Lincoln Ave. (one block north of U.S. 40). There is a small turnout on County Road 80 at the base of County Road 74. Description: From East Lincoln Ave., head west and turn right onto Walnut Street (County Road 80). Cross the railroad tracks and then cross the river. Turn right at the “T” intersection continuing on County Road 80 – the pavement ends. Turn left at first turn onto County Road 74 (Middle Cog Road). The road climbs steeply to the top of the Cog for about 2 miles and then gradually descends for another 3 miles. Turn right at the “T” intersection keeping on County Road 74 for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 80A for approximately 3.5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 80 and begin descent back toward Hayden and the Yampa River for about 4.5 miles. Bear right continuing on County Road 80 for 3 miles back to Hayden.

73


In Her Own Words

Tammy Jacques-Grewal

inspiring young athletes as a Nordic and cycling coach with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. She also is an ambassador with the National Pancreatic Steamboat Springs resident Tammy Jacques-Grewal Foundation, where she gives hope to others battling earned a spot on the U.S. Road Cycling Team in pancreatic disorders. 1990, holding a dual position on the U.S. Mountain Bike Team for three years. Racing full time on the Mountain Bike World Cup beginning in 1994, In 2008, I was down to just eating apple sauce and garnering 15 top three podium spots, she was named drinking San Pellegrino. I was becoming really emaciated. to Olympic teams in 1996 and 2000 before having A CT scan revealed huge stones in my pancreatic duct. to retire because of health concerns. It was chronic pancreatitis, probably caused from trauma. As told to Doug Davis

wrong, that I was just quitting and retiring without class. That was hard to accept. The cycling community in Steamboat is fantastic. It’s fun to see how passionate people are about it. It’s also cool living in a small community that has two titanium bike manufacturers.

I learned a lot having access to the world’s best coaches. Coaching is my way to give back to others. It’s rewarding working with youths. They’re like little sponges. You see the smiles on their faces when they Now, settled in Steamboat with husband and former It was great to finally have a diagnosis, something to achieve something, like climbing up Spring Creek. pro racer Rishi Grewal and their two children, Dmitri validate my reason for retiring. Many people were My goal for cycling is to be top three in Leadville. But and Sophia, she has a new outlook and is focused on second guessing me, saying there was really nothing to win it would be a stretch because I’m not training

74

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


My most important win was a second place finish at the World Cup finals in ’95. It was huge for me. It was in Rome, and I love everything Italian. That was my favorite podium.

Steamboat has incredible riding. Steamboat reminds me a lot of where I grew up in New England, with its rolling terrain and mountains. You don’t have to travel far to do fun incredible things: skiing, cycling, and tubing the river, hiking. Everything we want is here.

I was on the tour for 10 years, but now racing is pure fun. There’s no pressure. I race for pure love of the sport, and being out there with incredible people from Steamboat.

A perfect Saturday is to get up early and ride to the top of Storm Peak or up Mad Creek and then come home and make waffles and take the kids to the pool.

I’m a morning person and I love to cook. My role as ambassador for the National Pancreas Foundation is to share my story and plight, the hard times and the good times. It’s important to heighten awareness of pancreatic disorders. There really wasn’t much information out there when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with me. My children say they don’t want to be bike racers, so we aren’t going to push it. We know how hard it is to make it as a pro. We just want to foster a love of riding as a family.

In my pack, I carry water, an energy drink, Honey Stinger waffles and gels, and a banana. That’s my staple. Never take anything for granted. I took a lot for granted as a bike racer. I was treated like a princess. Life was easy, money, sponsorship. Everything was perfect, expect for my health.

Photo by Doug Davis

as a professional. I’m a professional mother and CPA.

The biggest lesson I learned from retiring from a sport that I loved and my ordeal with chronic pancreatitis, is to live each day with passion and conviction, to commit to the moment and to look forward with a present mind.

Voted the BEST Sit Down Breakfast & Bloody Mary

★★★★★

OPEN DAILY 6 to 2 • 970-870-4925 • 131, 11th Street • Check us out on Facebook WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

75


76

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

77


78

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BIKE GUIDE


WWW.STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM

79



Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.