getaway
SPRING THAW
5 FABULOUS MOUNTAIN BIKING DESTINATIONS Words by Shannon Casson | Photo by Ling Thompson
A
sure-fire way to fuel your stoke for bike
low snowfall. Oil Well Flat’s rocky and punchy
season is to get an annual spring bike trip
sections of trail will challenge intermediate and
on your calendar. While we emerge from our
advanced riders alike, and the Island in the Sky
winter hibernation and our ski town snow begins
is a must-do descent along a somewhat technical
its slow melt, we crave heat and desert sun as we
rim. Royal Gorge Park (which also boasts
reacquaint ourselves with our saddles. To spark
campgrounds) and South Cañon trails deliver
your pedaling possibilities, we’ve compiled this
breathtaking vistas along green and blue terrain
“fab five” list.
through junipers and piñons. On Main Street sits Red Canyon Cycles side-by-side with The Bean
RICHFIELD, UTAH
Pedaler (which brilliantly houses The Handlebar
If you’re in search of purpose-built, single-track
in the back), and together, they deliver the
mountain bike trails, you’ve arrived. Richfield’s
ultimate trifecta: bikes, coffee and beers.
semi-desert climate is home to the visionary Pahvant trails, conveniently located minutes
PATAGONIA, ARIZONA
from I-70. With their Sedona-esque views, these
Located 50 miles south of Tucson and 18
well-marked trails are made with a whole lotta
miles north of Nogales, Mexico, this unique,
trail-building love. From grin-inducing beginner
borderland, mountain town won’t be a secret
trails to the adrenaline rush from descending 18
much longer. Patagonia is a gateway to some of
miles of expert technical features and flow on
Arizona’s best gravel roads, including the rugged
the soon-to-be-famous Spinal Tap Trail, Richfield
and diverse Arizona Trail, and is ripe for your
delivers to every level of rider. Set up a shuttle
next bikepacking adventure. You’ll be swept
or pedal up to descend Lower Spinal Tap and/
away with this area’s stunning and expansive
or Telegraph. Take advantage of the — currently
landscape and rewarded with solitude and
free — dispersed camping along the shuttle road,
copious saddle time. It’s no surprise it’s also
and convince the goat in your group to pedal up
home to The Spirit World 100 Gravel Race. With
the road to retrieve the shuttle car (don’t forget
more wide-open space than people (population
the keys).
is around 900), you’ll want to be fully prepared before setting out on any adventure. Swing by
CAÑON CITY, COLORADO
Patagonia Bikes for any last-minute service or
While once known mostly for its proximity to
supply needs. Sigh, the big decision is, how many
the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge suspended above
bikes do you pack?
the Arkansas River — thanks to the vision of
72
dedicated locals and coordinated BLM efforts —
CORTEZ, COLORADO
Cañon City has put itself on the mountain bike
Thanks to recent trail-building efforts, Phil’s
map. Uniquely situated between the Sangre de
World now boasts nearly 60 miles of hard-pack,
Cristos and Pikes Peak, there’s typically year-
fun-inducing singletrack in the Four Corners
round riding due to abundant sunshine and
Region. Packed with mostly smooth, fast and
