Cool Places to Ride in Colorado – Winter Park, Colorado
October 25, 2008 by Phil Hodsdon
Filed under Uncategorized
The first time I rode in Colorado was about 10 years ago in the Winter Park Resort Area. We were renting a cabin for a family re-union and I rented a bike for a week. My older brother, Mike a committed biker, also rented a mountain bike.
Winter Park is just up I70 to Route 40 and up straight over the pass to a piece of Heaven.
What is cool about Winter Park is that in the summer, the main chair lift operates for Mountain Bike Kamikaze’s and you know whom I am talking about; that’s right: “YOU!!” You take this lift straight up the mountain; tie your bike on and then it slows down for you to take it off at the top of the lift. It’s a nominal fee for the day.
Ok have to stop. Did you know that they make these bikes called “Down-Hill” bikes? They aren’t meant to ride for speed; they are meant to RIDE downhill like a maniac….ok ok ok, It helps to have suspension and steel frames. Carbon Bikes tend to crack when abused. Ask the good folks at MTOBikes.com. to help you pick one out.
Ok, so, you take the lift to the top and then it’s all down hill from there. Make sure to have elbow pads, kneepads, and full gloves. Do I have to say a good Helmet? You can get in about 10 rides in one day. Its called downhill “technical” riding by the purists, but I think its just about the most fun you can have mountain biking.
Drawbacks? Well, a few, one is altitude sickness, its easy to dehydrate at 12,000 feet and the symptoms are flu like; stay well hydrated and no beer the day you fly into Denver. The other is that it is damn dangerous; easy to break arms and legs and necks, but the views are spectacular; heaven on earth is in Colorado. Also, your shoulders and hands will feel like you are an arthritic old man after about 5 rides, but man is it fun; take your Camel-backs; water is a requirement.
There is also an attraction at Winter Park called the “Alpine Slide”. It is basically a concrete track that goes down the fall line under the afore-mentioned chair lift. You get a car that has a rubber brake and down you go. There are no safety rails and broken limbs are an every day occurrence. Here’s the link: Winter Park, Colorado Summer Activities – RockiesGuide.com
Ok Winter Park for Mountain Bike Riders is the place to go in the summer. I have a good friend who bought a summer cabin in the area; not for his kids, or for the skiing, but for the Mountain Biking. His bike costs 10 times what mine does…sigh. Check out Winter Park for some of the best Mountain Biking in the world!
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This post was written by:
Phil Hodsdon - who has written 5 posts on Mountain bike product reviews, bike builds, trail reviews, forum, and tips – MTOBikes.com.
Phil is a 51 year old father of three lovely girls; married to a wonderful woman; has a great job, and is a mountain biking fanatic. You can see him on the trails inside Cherry Creek State Park, Winter Park, and Vail, Co. Phil aspires to ride the best mountain bike trails in Colorado and the World.
Disc brakes are a necessity, not a luxury, when screaming down Colorado’s ski areas on a mountain bike. Rent a downhill bike so it, not your body, absorbs the rocky terrain.
My brother and I are planning a trip (June 5-9) to Winter Park, Colorado. Is it too early to hike and bike? If so, do you have any suggestions, please advise.
Shaun,
The Weather should be nice; just make sure to check the weather forecast for that day; understanding, that in the mountains, lightening strikes are the biggest threat in the summer.
Phils last blog post..NAHBS Announces Richmond, Virginia as 2010 Venue Location
Where is the best place to rent a good mountain bike. I currently ride a 2008 Specialized FSR Expert and would like to rent a comparable ride.
Thanks for the lightening info.
Regards,
Shaun
Vail certainly offers some great terrain for biking. Great point about the altitude sickness though/