CW Guided Adventures: Mountain Biking and Urban Bike Tours - Best Biking Trips in Colorado
- admin171125
- Mar 28
- 25 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Pedal through Colorado’s iconic landscapes on a guided road or mountain biking tour customized to your skill and adventure level. From half-day cruises to full-day challenges or fully personalized rides, our expert guides will lead you to stunning views, hidden trails, and unforgettable moments on two wheels.
Why Choose Our Expert Guides?
Our guides are not only knowledgeable but are genuine experts in their field. With years of experience and a profound understanding of the different Colorado tracks and trails, they are more familiar with the best spots than anyone else. Venture out with an expert guide to discover hidden gems and some of our favorite locations in Colorado's wilderness.
Join Us for an Adventure!
Let us take you on a journey where you can get outside and enjoy exploring Colorado on two wheels in some of the most beautiful settings it has to offer.
In this article:
Bike: Half Day
Boulder Bike Tour
This easy to moderate cycling tour is ideal for those that like a luge run on a bicycle. We will travel along the famous Boulder Creek Path, east to west, for 7 miles on cement paths, going over and beside lovely Boulder Creek. Riders who enjoy culture, scenery and an easy coast will love this short historic ride through Boulder. Depending on desire and exertion, we will retrace our route back to Downtown Boulder or make a loop around and through our small, bike-friendly city. The city of Boulder is world-renowned as the home for many of America’s top rides. This is because of Boulder’s great scenery, higher altitude, enthusiastic bike culture, and convenient proximity to amazing biking terrain. The goal of our guided bike tours is to provide a safe, educational, uniquely Colorado experience not found in a guidebook, with memories that last a lifetime.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel’s front door and ride 7-24 miles. Prior to the tour, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations, custom fit your bike, and then head off for a fun bike tour! Afterward, you will walk away with a memorable experience of your time in Boulder.
Special Notes: Bike upgrade available! We can arrange a road bike for an additional cost.
Difficulty Description: Easy. 10 – 25 miles and 500-1000′ of elevation gain. Perfect for novice riders and those wanting an easygoing outing.
Difficulty Description: Easy to Moderate
Denver Bike Tour
Experience the history, culture, architecture, and geography of downtown Denver while cruising on a bike down bike paths running through the heart of the downtown district. For those who want to explore Denver without a car, this easy cycling tour is the best way to see some of the inner beauty of the ‘Mile High City”. We will ride some of the bike path that connects different parts of the city, while tracing waterways, rivers, and streams though the heart of the city. This is a fun way to gain a better insight into Denver, get some exercise, and see the part of Denver that only the locals really see.
Itinerary: The riding is relatively flat with less than 200’ of gain and between 6-10 miles. So this is perfect for those coming from lower altitudes and natives who are looking for a fun but mellow outing.
Special Notes: Bike upgrade available! We can arrange a road bike for an additional cost.
Difficulty Description: Easy. 6-10 miles and 100-200′ of elevation gain. Perfect for novice riders and anyone wanting a fun, mellow outing.
Sandstone Trail Loop
This route includes spectacular vistas, wide-open meadows, some single track riding, and short easy technical sections. The Sandstone Trail Loop will take you on a ride through open meadows, dirt roads, and single-track paths below huge sandstone formations and the outline of peaks whose summits rise more than 8000’ above. The route, often considered the best ride in The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks trail system, is ideal for beginner and advanced beginner riders or for more advanced riders just looking for a beautiful introduction to Rocky Mountain Riding. The tour follows single track, doublewide track and some farm vehicles roads for a 5-7 mile circular route with multiple side variations.
Itinerary: We depart and end from your hotel or a central meeting spot, while driving 5-10 minutes each way to and from a trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at trailhead, we will custom fit your bike if we did not do it prior to departing or if your have your own ride, and then head off for a 2 to 3:30 great mountain bike tour. At the completion, we will rejoice in our memorable experience together.
Difficulty Description: Easy and Moderate. Easy: Gentle climbs and easily avoidable obstacles such as rocks and roots. Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and some fitness.
Switzerland Trail
Moderate to advanced riders alike will venture into the past as they ride through old mining towns and Colorado evergreens, just beyond the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This moderate mountain bike route includes spectacular vistas of Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and the Continental Divide, old mining towns, and traces of bygone mining activity on a 4×4 road, double track over rocky and sandy terrain. This route, originally the train route into the mountains above Boulder for mining and tourism, is a glimpse into the past. This is ideal for beginner to advanced riders. This is a one-way 19 mile descent back into the town of Boulder and can be done by most riders. The trail travels through forests of aspen, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and fir with a 4% grade at times. Our van will bring you to the highest point of the trail for this downhill ride, and you will bike down into Boulder.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 30-60 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike and then head off for a 2-3 hour unique mountain bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Gentle climbs and easily avoided obstacles such as rocks and roots. Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and some fitness.
Teller Ranch
Great for the whole family, Teller Ranches’ Mountain Bike Ride will provide amazing views of sandstone cliffs, golden prairies, and the Continental Divide. This easy mountain bike route includes spectacular vistas of the Continental Divide, wide-open prairies, towering sandstone cliffs, pastoral farmlands, canals, and raptor nesting grounds. The route, deep in the heart of Boulder’s agricultural heritage and White Rocks Nature Preserve, is a great beginner and family route with no major climbs and fun, easy riding. The tour follows wide singletrack, doublewide track and some farm-vehicle roads for a 9.7 mile out-and-back route.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 10-15 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike and then head off for an enjoyable off-road bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Easy: Gentle climbs and easily avoided obstacles such as rocks and roots. Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and some fitness.
Bike: Full Day
Boulder Highlights
Boulder has been the home and training center for triathletes and Olympians, with a natural proving ground for some of the best cyclists in the world. The Classic Highlights of Boulder is a tour which recreates some of the famed training routes for world-renowned athletes, from the heights of Flagstaff Mountain, the rolling hills between Boulder and Lyons and the Flatiron flanked roads between Boulder and Golden.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 1 to 2 hours to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 6 or more hour great mountain bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Hard: Physically 65- 95 miles and/or 2500-3500′ of elevation gain. For Avid Riders. Technical Difficulty: More difficult. Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and very good fitness.
Continental Divide Trail
If you’ve never ridden the Continental Divide Trail, and you’re up for the challenge, then don’t wait to book this epic trip for Summer and Fall. For experienced riders only, this Front Range trail will test you with its altitude (11,671′) and distance (65-95 miles). Ride the Continental Divide Trail! This extreme mountain bike route includes spectacular vistas, high alpine lakes, riding above the treeline, conifer forests and an ascent of the Continental Divide at 11,671’. The ride is the “mack daddy” of Front Range biking and is a “must ride” if you are in the Boulder, Denver, or Estes Park Areas. This is a hard ride due to the altitude and distance, but is technically easy to moderate. The tour follows single track, doublewide track and a 4×4 road for 30.2 miles out and back with the option of adding another 10-20 miles.
Location of Trip: Rollins Pass, Colorado Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 1-1:15 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 6 or more hour great mountain bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Hard: Physically (65-95 miles and/or 2500-3500′ of elevation gain.) For Avid Riders. Technical Difficulty: More difficult. Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and very good fitness. Due to altitude that this ride takes place, the “Ride the Continental Divide Trail” is a hard to extreme ride.
Front Range Hill Climbs
The roads around Colorado’s Front Range peaks offer a number of exciting uphills, which will test your mental and physical stamina as you ride to the top of the most exhilarating views in the state. From Boulder and Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park, we’ll have the opportunity to explore such classics as Flagstaff Road, which rises high above Boulder and overs a grand overlook of the city, the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park, and Trail Ridge Road, one of the few roads that rise above 12,000-feet. Alternatively, for those who clamor for a grueling trip, we’ll have the option to ride to the top of Mt. Evans, a classic Colorado 14er, and enjoy a long celebratory downhill. Come test your will and your legs against some of not just Colorado’s, but America’s toughest courses.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 15 to 30 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 6 or more hour great road bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Hard: Physically 35- 95 miles and/or 2500-5000′ of elevation gain. For Avid Riders. Technical Difficulty: More difficult. Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and very good fitness.
Golden Gate Canyon
Towering at an elevation of 9000′, this Front Range trail in the heart of Golden Gate State Park will provide intermediate and advanced riders with exceptional views and technical terrain for a full day of adventure. The adventurous intermediate and advanced riders will be rewarded with some amazing Front Range mountain biking terrain. Views of the continental divide, aspen groves, and riding at altitudes >9000’ are the perks of a full day mountain biking tour in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. There are numerous options ranging from 15-35+ miles on tight single track, wide-open rocky wagon trails, and varied terrain in the montane environment and evergreen forests in Colorado. For anyone interested in a great Denver bike tour, Boulder bike tour, or mountain biking Denver, join us mountain biking Colorado for an amazing bike holiday.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 45 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 5-6 hour great mountain bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
Jefferson Single Track
Perfect for intermediate mountain bikers, riders will enjoy a full day in Golden Gate Canyon State Park on Jefferson Single Track. Explore “Colorful Colorado” the best way possible on exceptional single track surrounded by Evergreen Forests. The adventurous intermediate and intermediate/advanced riders will be rewarded with some amazing Front Range mountain biking terrain on Jefferson Single Track. Views of the continental divide, aspen groves, and riding at altitudes >9000’ are the perks of a full day mountain biking tour in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. There are numerous options ranging from 15-35+ miles on tight single track, wide-open rocky wagon trails, and varied terrain in the mountain environment and evergreen forests in Colorado. For anyone interested in a great Denver bike tour, Boulder bike tour, or mountain biking Denver, join us mountain biking Colorado for an amazing bike holiday. 13.4 miles – 18 miles. Physical difficulty: moderate to hard (3000’ of climbing). Technical ability: moderate. Single track (with sections of exposure). Altitudes of 7000’-9500’.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 30-45 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 5-6 hour great mountain bike tour. We normally choose 2 separate parks to ride during the day.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
Magnolia & Nederland
This challenging but highly rewarding trail is surrounded by lush pine forests and scenic vistas. Explore one of the hidden gems of the front range on this guided technical mountain bike tour in Magnolia and Nederland. Join us for this moderate difficult mountain bike tour using single-track dirt trails in Magnolia and Nederland. Roosevelt National Forest and the Magnolia Area is one of the hidden gems of the Front Range for moderate difficult riding. The surrounding is evergreen forests with occasional views of the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas and the backdrop on the Continental Divide to the West. We will be weaving in and out of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine forests using single-track trails. Riders will enjoy great riding at moderate altitudes (8500-9500’) that will test riders’ fitness and technical abilities with fun and challenging riding.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot and drive 35-45 minutes to the designated trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 5-6 hour great mountain bike tour.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
Rocky Mountain National Park Descent
This route will take you above tree-line in the majestic Rocky Mountains, and then descend a total of 7000′ back into Boulder, CO. Easy Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Bike Descent. If you are in Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder/Denver or Fort Collins/Greeley and want a unique cycling experience, then this is the trip for you, for your friends, and family. Our journey will take you 1000 feet above treeline in the high Rockies and then descend for 4000′ and 20 miles back into the town of Estes Park. We’re then transported to the Peak-to-Peak Highway, where we’ll hop on the Switzerland Trail and ride 22 miles back into Boulder. You’ll ride a total of over 40 miles and 7000 feet of descent!
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or other location in Boulder and drive up to the top of Trail Ridge Road (abound 12,100′) in Rocky Mountain National Park to the designated departure location. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the departure point, we will custom fit your bike and then head off for a 3-4 hour breath-taking bike tour that ends back in Estes Park. We will ride 19 miles down Trail Ridge (4000’ of descent) to the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance. We’re then transported south to another location and hop on the Switzerland Trail for 22 miles and 3000’ back into Boulder. This ride is mostly a 99% downhill ride with the only prerequisite being able to squeeze the brakes and ride two 20-mile downhill sections. This is our most requested Rocky Mountain National Park area bike tour, particularly for group rides. We normally depart at 6:00 am to be in Estes Park at 07:15 and up to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park by 08:00 am.
Difficulty Description: Easy and Moderate. Easy: Gentle climbs and easily avoided obstacles such as rocks and roots. Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Requires riding experience and some fitness.
Bike: Multi-Day & Custom - Best Bike Trips in Colorado Adventures
Fruita (3 Day)
Fruita is one of Colorado’s most beloved mountain biking towns, featuring some of the most classic trails in the West. Our guided Fruita Mountain Biking rides between red rock canyons, soaring desert mountains, and fun free-flowing mountain biking that ranges from fast and fun riding for beginners, to technical and intricate trails for intermediate and advanced bikers. This three-day adventure to Fruita, Colorado on the Western Slope will introduce bikers to some of the most classic biking trails in the West. Riding the twisting canyons of Horsethief Bench to the desert singletrack rides of 18 Road and the technical ‘Lunch Loops’ near Grand Junction. When we’re not riding we’ll get to enjoy the eclectic and colorful town of Fruita, with its famed Main Street of breweries, cafes, and restaurants providing a fun respite when we’re not out riding. Join us for this unforgettable experience of custom guided mountain biking in the desert.
Itinerary: This trip is over 3 Days, which includes two days of riding in Fruita and transportation to and from Boulder, Colorado.
Day 0: We’ll meet in our office in Boulder and talk about the plan and the itinerary and get fitted for bikes. The guide will answer any last questions and get an assessment of abilities and goals for the trip.
Day 1: We’ll leave early in the morning from Boulder and drive just over 4 hours to the city of Fruita on Colorado’s Western Slope. We’ll set up camp at a local State Park, and then in the afternoon and early evening we’ll have the option to enjoy a short ride to explore local trails. We’ll then have dinner in camp, talk about the plan for the next day, and have the option of an evening mountain bike mini skills clinic.
Day 2: We’ll travel for 20 minutes to the trailhead for the Kokopelli Loops, which combine some of the best riding high above the Colorado River with miles of riding alongside canyon walls, through dry river beds, and free flowing trails through the canyon basins, while cruising through desert sagebrush, spindly trees, and exposed canyon scenery. We’ll start on some easier terrain to get warmed up and then if the day goes well will hit Horsethief Bench, with it’s famed ‘staircase’ feature, which 95% of riders will walk down, while the 5% elite riders will hop and drop down the steep and frightening looking feature.
We’ll then link up with several other trails, which ride deep into the dry streambeds between the canyons, and then climbs up to meet the top of the canyon rim and rides while overlooking the Colorado River and exploring uphill and downhill switchback paths. The trails here are rocky, uneven, and exposed in some places, providing thrilling rides along rock ledges, canyon-side trails, and through fast and flowing dry streams. Afterwards we’ll return to the trailhead and in the afternoon where we can explore the city of Fruita, take a dip in the Colorado River, or explore short local hiking trails. We will have dinner at the campground and most likely a fire and s’mores to round out the day!
Day 3: Today we’ll drive 30-minutes outside of Fruita through the North Fruita Desert to 18 Road and the Book Cliffs. This open playground outside of the city is just flat our FUN! We’ll get to ride such classics as Kessel Run, with it’s fast and twisting downhill, Zippity Do Da, Chutes and Ladders, The Edge, and Prime Cut, all trails looping back to the parking lot for a quick snack and rehydration before setting off on another amazing mountain bike loop.
The trails here are different from the dramatic canyon scenery that we rode along the Colorado River. We’ll be exploring open desert ridges, thrilling twists, rolling hills, and fast turns and drops through short but pumpy singletrack. This is a great day that’ll combine athleticism, fast corners and S-Curves all in a spectacular open desert setting.
After a number of laps on some of the most classic trails in the area, we’ll stop in town for one last meal before we start making our way back to Boulder.
Who is this trip suited for: This is a great trip for bikers who want to take their rides to the next level. Great for experienced riders, families, teens, college aged adults, and bachelor parties looking for an adventure.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
Front Range Mountain Bike (3 or 4 Day)
Advanced riders will enjoy a truly local experience as they spend three days on Boulder’s most favored mountain bike trails. An intermediate to advanced Front Range multi-day mountain bike tour using local boulder hotels. Experience the best of the Colorado’s Mountain Biking in an action packed 3-day trip that highlights the best mountain biking around Boulder and Denver Colorado. This trip uses a progression approach to increase riding difficulty and mileage each day and exposes riders to varied mountain terrain: rolling prairie bluffs, forested single track, panoramic vistas, and access to challenging terrain. Our goal is to create the ultimate mountain biking Colorado Front Range mountain bike trip for an amazing bike holiday. This trip can be customized in terms of difficulty, mileage, exposure, scenery, and lodging accommodations. Denver, Colorado, is the closest airport hub for this trip and all rides are within 1 hour of downtown Denver and Boulder. Enjoy the best bike trip in Colorado with Colorado’s best guides for the ultimate bike holiday and mountain bike vacation.
Itinerary: We depart from your hotel or a central meeting spot in Boulder, Colorado, (Boulder, CO) or Denver, Colorado, (Denver, CO) and drive 45 minutes to the designated adventure mountain biking trailhead. While driving, we will cover vital safety and riding considerations. After arriving at the trailhead, we will custom fit your mountain bike, if we did not do so prior to departing, and then head off for a 5-6 hour great Colorado mountain bike tour.
Day 1: Mountain Biking Skill Clinic and Tour of South Boulder Area.
Morning Itinerary: 2-3 hours skills development in Boulder Area. Times: 8 am – 11 am.
Afternoon Itinerary: South Boulder Area and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Mountain biking loops. (13-18 miles and 1000’ of ascent. Physical difficulty: moderate. Technical ability: east to moderate. Single and doublewide tracks. Altitudes of 5600-6300’. Times: 12 pm – 4 pm.
Day 2: Golden Colorado Area Single Track (1 to 2 areas).
Morning Itinerary and Possible Afternoon Itinerary: Loop – AM – 13.4 miles – 18 miles. Physical difficulty: moderate to hard (3000’ of climbing). Technical ability: moderate. Single track (with sections of exposure). Altitudes of 7000’-9500’. Times: 8 am – 2pm.
Possible Afternoon Itinerary: Separate Park: 3-6 miles. Physical difficulty: moderate (1000’ of climbing). Technical ability: moderate. Altitudes of 7000’-9500’. Times: 2 am – 4pm.
Day 3: Nederland Area and East Roosevelt National Forest.
Morning And Afternoon Itinerary: Magnolia Area and Nederland: 18-44 miles and 2000’ of ascent. Physical difficulty: moderate to hard. Technical ability: moderate to hard. Single wide tracks. Altitudes of 8600-10,000’. Times: 8 pm – 4 pm.
Day 4: Rollins Pass Road (Continental Divide) to tunnel from East Portal. Morning And Afternoon Itinerary: 32 Miles and 3000’ of ascent on doublewide track. Physical difficulty: Hard (due to high altitude). Technical ability: moderate. Altitudes of 9200’-12, 000’. Times: 6:30 pm – 3:30 pm. Early Start is due to exposure above tree line and afternoon thunderstorms that develop in the afternoon in the high Colorado Rockies.
Difficulty Description: Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
Epic Road Ride (5 Day)
This 5-day road ride will take you to 12,000′ feet high on an incredible experience through Rocky Mountain National Park, and Berthhoud Pass. A must-do for your Colorado Bucket List: Colorado Cycling Epic Road Ride. A moderate to hard road cycling tour taking in the best route in Colorado’s Front Range Mountains. This adventure cycling tour is a Colorado Classic 5-day road bike tour. The route involves the infamous climbs of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (the highest continuous road in the United States), Berthoud Pass above Winter Park, and Oh My God Road above Idaho Springs. There will be lots of climbing. This ride will cross the continental divide two times, contains some long fast descents, has some intermediate climbs, and long flat sections. The scenery, views, and terrain make this ride one of the all-time best rides of your life. The elevation gained and lost over these 5 days is impressive. This is an amazing adventure cycling tour and supported bike tour. Join Colorado’s best cycling guides for a road cycling travel trip of a lifetime.
Itinerary:
Day 0: Travel to Colorado. Meet your guides and get fitted for your bike (if you are renting a road cycle), go over itinerary, food, gear, and logistics. Enjoy of a night out walking Boulder and the Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian mall. If you arrive early, you can cruise around Boulder Creek Path and explore some easy and fun cycling in the heart of the town. If you bring a personal road bike, we will help assemble bikes this day.
Day 1: The day starts of with a drive to the old Gold Mining town of Nederland. From Nederland we ride the original Colorado scenic highway – Peak-to-Peak Scenic Highway to Estes Park. This ride has great views of the plains to the east and Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park to the West. The day ends with a descent to the town of Estes Park Colorado, which is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. We will stay at local Estes Park lodging.
Day 2: Get ready to traverse the highest continuous road in the United States. Our ride ascends 5000 feet to slight over 12,000’ around Lava Cut and the roof of the park. From the Alpine Visitors Center, we have a long descent to the town of Grand Lake and the largest naturally forming Lake in the state of Colorado. We will be stay at lodging in Grand Lake Colorado.
Day 3: Now that we are on the western side of the continental divide and Rocky Mountain National Park, we will ride south in the Grand Lake Basin to the town of Winter Park. Being surrounded by mountains and big views, this is a great stretch of terrain. This day is meant as a recovery day to recover from yesterday’s ride and to prepare for tomorrows uphill. Stay the night at Winter Park Lodging.
Day 4: Starting in Winter Park, we ride south and then northeast to Central City. Two sizable climbs with two fast descents linked together by a relatively flat road make this one tremendous Colorado cycling day. The end of the day finishes with a ride into one of Colorado’s historic gold towns. We will be staying at lodging in Central City.
Day 5: Our last day will bring us back to our starting location and the cycling hub of Boulder. A gradual climb in the morning is followed by lots of descending into town. There are several variations on roads back to Boulder and depending upon desires and how everyone is feeling, we generally adjust our final days cycle route. This final bike tour day cumulates with returning from the higher Front Range Mountains to the foothill rock formations locally known as the Flatirons. We will go out for a celebration dinner in Boulder this night.
Difficulty Description: Moderate Hard: 35-65 miles and 1600-2500′ of elevation gain. For very active riders. Hard: 65- 95 miles and/or 2500-3500′ of elevation gain. For very avid riders
Kokopelli Trail (5 day)
A true western desert backcountry adventure. This 5-day, 142-mile mountain bike trip features tough climbs, spectacular views, classic singletrack, and exceptional camping. Perfect for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. The Kokopelli Trail is quintessential American West mountain biking – hands down one of the best multi-day rides in all of North America. We cover the 142-mile trail over five days from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah providing a professional guide and vehicle support each morning and evening. This is our most challenging desert tour, a serious adventure that requires some technical riding skills and big climb endurance. Your efforts will be continuously rewarded, however, with breathtaking moments of ‘WOW’ culminating in a beautiful, final day descent into Moab, commonly regarded as the mecca of mountain biking. The vistas are grand, wildlife sightings are plentiful, and the biodiversity unique to this part of the continent and world make the Kokopelli Trail a truly worthy bucket list adventure. Our goal is to experience some of the best mountain biking of Colorado and Utah, learn new skills, and have a safe and stimulating experience that you will cherish forever.
Itinerary: The over trip length is 5 days, which includes four days riding the Kokopelli Trail, transportation to/from Denver Colorado, and one extra day riding in Moab Utah. Two extra days driving to/from Denver.
Day 0: Travel to Colorado. Drive from Denver leaving around 10 am. Arrive in Grand Junction by 3 pm. Optional 26 miles road tour through Colorado National Monument in the late afternoon. 3:30 – 6 pm. Dinner in Grand Junction and stay in a winery and chateau outside Colorado National Monument.
Day 1: We start our trip with a quick shuttle to the starting Trailhead in Loma. Our day starts with a gentle double track climb to a high bench overlooking the Colorado River. From here the single-track begins and connects us to Fruita area Loops and trails. The single-track riding here is so good that the locals from Moab Utah travel to Grand Junction Colorado to ride these great Fruita mountain bike trails. A stout single-track climb and some hike-a-biking takes us to our lunch spot where the support truck will be waiting. Our afternoon ride is a fun rolling double track through Rabbit Valley and into a sandstone walled canyon. We will camp at a Canyon Overlook perched high above the Colorado River. TOTAL MILEAGE – 32 miles
Day 2: Shortly after we leave camp today, we will cross the state line into Utah while riding through a beautiful canyon. The riding this morning is on a rugged four-wheel drive road that climbs out of the canyon to the higher pinyon juniper covered plateau. We will descend to lunch on the banks of the Colorado River, at the Westwater boat ramp. Downstream, the river cuts through Precambrian rock, which is approximately 1.8 billion years old. Not only is Westwater Canyon known to river runners for it’s Class 3-4 rapids, it is one of the only times this ancient rock is exposed along the river until the bottom of the Grand Canyon gorge. A quick shuttle after lunch bypasses some open desert riding and delivers us to more fun jeep roads and single-track. We’ll cross the Colorado River and ride a final section of dirt road that takes us to our camp at the base of the Entrada Sandstone bluffs. TOTAL MILEAGE – 30-35 miles
Day 3: This morning we start with a major climb, ensuring a good strong appetite for lunch. This famous 2,400-foot climb will take us to the top of Sevenmile Mesa, rewarding us with great views of the Uncompahgre Plateau and the Dolores River canyon. There is a spur ride off our route called “Top of the World”, which is pretty much how it feels! Toward the top of the climb the road gets rough and the riding gets technical. It’s good practice for the downhill because good bike handling skills are needed in order to enjoy this descent. Wildlife abounds in this remote country and we may see bighorn sheep or a bald eagle. We’ll eat the lunch we packed on the edge of the spectacular canyon and then descend down Rose Garden Hill into Fisher Valley and Onion Creek. Our camp tonight will be at the Hideout, a favorite of Butch Cassidy and his pals. TOTAL MILEAGE – 22 miles
Day 4: Now we have reached the La Sal Mountains and to start we must climb up to North Beaver Mesa. The riding is loose at the beginning but improves as we gain altitude, as do the views, which are truly incredible. The early Spanish explorers who called them “mountains of salt” named the La Sal Mountains. These mountains seem to rise right out of the desert. They are laccolithic which means volcanic forces pushed them up but the crust was never broken, resulting in their rounded appearance. Just over the top, having gained several thousand feet, we will stop for lunch near some very distinct dinosaur tracks in the slick rock high above the valley floor. We will also enjoy a great view of Fisher Valley below. Happy from lunch we descend on pavement into Castle Valley, and then settle in to the climb up the other side. We’re straddling ecosystems here with alpine over the left shoulder and the desert’s red rock canyons over the right. The last section of today’s ride is back on dirt on one of our favorite segments of the Kokopelli. A two track swoops down off the shoulder of the mountains and this is where the aspens meet the slick rock. We’ll camp tonight at Malloy Park, right on the edge of Castle Valley with sunset views of Arches National Park. TOTAL MILEAGE – 32 miles
Day 5: From camp this morning we will head down the Sandflats Road, which is also the route of the Kokopelli Trail. Today is payback for all the climbs we have done along our way. The sun is at our back as we descend, lighting the finned rock and the red wall cliffs of the Moab Rim in front of us. Our views reach as far as Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. We’ll stop on our way at Moab’s famous Slickrock Trail for an exciting lap around the practice loop. After lunch we’ll shuttle you back to Grand Junction. TOTAL MILEAGE – 20 miles
Difficulty Description: : Moderate: Steep slopes and/or obstacles, possibly on narrow trails with poor traction. Most Difficult (Hard): A mixture of long steep climbs, loose trails surfaces, numerous difficult obstacles to avoid or jump over, drop-offs and sharp corners. Some sections are definitely easier to walk.
What's Included In Our Rates?
The services of a professional biking guide
Round-trip transportation between your Boulder or Estes Park hotel or our office and the location for groups of 6 or less
Mountain Bike Rental, helmet, gloves, repair kits (floor pump, patch kits)
Bottled water and snacks (lunch is also included during full-day trips)
Education about the local and natural history (including a library of Rocky Mountain flora and fauna)
Group CB, medical kit, & emergency support.
What's NOT Included In Our Rates?
Gratuities for your guide (while it is up to your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 15-20%) - *Gratuity is auto-added for groups of 6 or more.
Transportation for groups of 7+, we can accommodate larger groups for an additional cost
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