Tag: mountain biking
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Happy Trails: Amid buzz of new ‘Bike Hill’ in Colorado Springs, a multi-use trail not to miss
North Chamberlain Trail In its debut summer, the Blodgett Bike Hill appeared to be a hit. This is the hill on the north side of Colorado Springs that, as part of an expanded Blodgett Open Space, has drawn mountain bikers to lap some 7 miles of downhill bike-only trail ranging from fast and flowy to…
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Happy Trails: A newer loop between the pines of Black Forest
Farrar Loop In 2010, El Paso County finalized a master plan for 1,000-plus acres of open space in Black Forest. But a few years later, a wildfire left the ground and pines hazardous ー casting the future of Pineries Open Space in doubt. Flash forward to a celebration in 2020. Finally, a 9-mile loop trail…
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New ‘bike hill’ opens near reclaimed quarry, marking new era for Blodgett Open Space
In northwest Colorado Springs, at the former base of a company that for generations mined the mountainside above, a long bridge crosses over a drainage and into the hills. The bridge lends to “a gateway experience,” said David Deitemeyer, who oversaw its construction with the city Parks Department. “Or this experience of arrival.” From a…
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Trail Talk: Access becomes hot topic in open spaces throughout Colorado
Some rivalries are fiercer than others: wildlife vs. vehicles, snowboarders vs. skiers, hikers vs. mountain bikers. Collisions occur as these groups compete for space. Fences and expensive wildlife bridges are created to reduce motor vehicle accidents. I’ve heard from fellow skiers who ski less often and avoid weekend crowds. A few park districts separate cyclists…
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Boulder County shifts away from ‘alternating use’ for mountain bikers
Mountain bikers and hikers will use Boulder County trails as they always have after leadership declined a proposal for “alternating use.” Under the proposal recently presented to county commissioners, a pilot program would have had cyclists moving one direction while other users could still choose directions on popular trails at Heil Valley Ranch ー what…
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Trail mileage doubling at Baker’s Park, poised to be next mountain biking destination in Colorado
Trails are expanding as part of a mission to make a mountain biking destination in southwest Colorado. A short ride up from Silverton’s main street, the first trail of the Baker’s Park system ー a 7-mile loop opened in 2024 ー has been frequented by local and visiting hikers and runners as well. But from…
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Colorado boasts four spots on ‘Trail Towns’ list, a new celebration of mountain biking
When David Wiens thinks of “trail towns” in Colorado, he thinks of many more than just four. He thinks of many more than just the four that made the debut list of the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s designated Trail Towns. “People are reading this list and not so much seeing who’s on there, but they’re…
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E-bikes could be allowed on 200-plus miles of trail in western Colorado under proposal
With a proposal to expand access in a major way, the e-bike debate has intensified around a cycling hub of western Colorado. The Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office is looking to allow Class 1 e-bikes on 200-plus miles of bike trails across its jurisdiction spanning Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties. This…
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Colorado’s Uncle Joey, global mountain biking ambassador, gets Hall of Fame moment
In 1999, while living in a bus parked somewhere high in Colorado’s central mountains, Joey Klein started to write a cover letter. This was for a job with the Boulder-based International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), which was looking for someone to drive a sponsored Subaru around the country to promote trail building and maintenance. This…
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Prairie Plunge mountain bike trail opens near Denver – a first of its kind for land manager
A new kind of mountain bike ride has come to the Denver area. Lakewood officials recently opened the Prairie Plunge at Bear Creek Lake Park — the first trail with a downhill-only designation in the city’s park system. It’s gained fast popularity, said Lee Blair, open space supervisor. “I saw someone the other day who…