10 Best Mountain Bike Rides in Colorado

This is the definitive guide for anyone planning to tackle the legendary 535-mile Colorado Trail by bike. It provides essential bikepacking-specific information that other guides often miss, covering everything from training and bike preparation to gear, food, and water strategies. You’ll benefit from practical, honest advice drawn from the author’s own experience completing the entire trail.

The book excels in its detailed, segment-by-segment guidance and experiential insights. It addresses the mental game of long-distance riding, offering tips on morale and dealing with challenges. While it focuses specifically on the Colorado Trail, making it less useful for general Colorado trail riding, it’s unparalleled for its intended purpose. A must-have for bikepackers.

This updated atlas provides an exceptional resource for mountain bikers looking to explore Colorado’s most thrilling trails. You’ll discover detailed descriptions for over 50 adventures, catering to a wide range of skill levels from beginner to advanced. The inclusion of GPS-quality, digitally designed relief maps and accurate route profiles is a standout feature, offering clear insights into elevation changes and ride specifics.

This guide is particularly strong for those who appreciate detailed navigation and a comprehensive overview of the state’s best riding. While it’s a digital format, which some may prefer, ensure your device is ready. It’s an indispensable tool for planning epic Colorado mountain biking expeditions.

This guide is the definitive resource for mountain bikers exploring the Denver and Boulder areas, featuring 50 top destinations across the Front Range. You’ll find hundreds of miles of singletrack, fire roads, and trails clearly laid out with concise directions, difficulty ratings, and helpful trail maps. This revised edition even includes 11 new rides not present in the original, offering fresh options.

The strength of this book lies in its hyper-focused coverage of the Denver-Boulder region, making it incredibly practical for locals and visitors alike. While the publication date is older, the core trail information and maps are invaluable. It’s a must-have for anyone wanting to maximize their riding time in this popular area.

This comprehensive guide to mountain biking in Colorado is an essential resource for any rider. It covers over 50 of the state’s best adventures, from beginner trails to challenging advanced routes, ensuring there’s something for everyone. You’ll appreciate the detailed GPS-quality maps, accurate route profiles, and precise mile-by-mile directions that make navigating even the most remote trails a breeze.

While the book offers extensive coverage, some of the trail information might be slightly dated given its 2003 publication. However, the core descriptions and map quality remain invaluable for planning your Colorado mountain biking trips. It’s a must-have for serious riders exploring the Centennial State.

This guide offers an extensive look at mountain biking across Colorado, highlighting the state’s unique riding conditions from snowfields to desert temperatures. You’ll find comprehensive trail descriptions suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced, complemented by GPS-quality maps and accurate route profiles. The expert guidance from local cyclist Steven Hlawaty ensures you get reliable information for exploring Colorado’s majestic landscapes.

While the book provides a fantastic overview and detailed navigation, its 2000 publication date means some specific trail conditions or access information might be outdated. However, for understanding the breadth of Colorado’s mountain biking opportunities and getting reliable mapping, it remains a valuable resource. It’s a great foundational guide for planning your adventures.

This guide offers an excellent selection of over 45 mountain bike rides specifically along Colorado’s Front Range. What sets it apart is the integration of local history, geology, and lore into the trail descriptions, providing a richer context for your rides. You’ll find detailed maps and directions covering areas near Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs, making it a comprehensive regional atlas.

While the publication date is a bit older, the depth of information and unique historical angle make it a valuable resource. It’s ideal for riders who appreciate understanding the background of the places they explore. If you’re solely focused on the newest trail conditions, you might want to cross-reference, but the historical and cultural insights are unparalleled.

This guide is a gem for beginner mountain bikers looking to explore Colorado’s Front Range. It features 55 rides specifically chosen for their ease and lack of technical difficulty, making it incredibly accessible. You’ll find detailed maps and descriptions for each trail, ensuring you can confidently find and follow the routes.

The primary strength here is its dedication to beginner-friendly riding. If you’re new to mountain biking or prefer a less intense experience, this book is perfect. However, experienced riders seeking challenging terrain will find the options limited. It’s an excellent starting point for enjoying the Front Range’s trails without intimidation.

This map details a specific, challenging section of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in southern Colorado, covering 317 miles from Silverthorne to Platoro. You’ll traverse diverse terrain, from the urbanized Summit County to the windswept South Park and the stunning Collegiate Range. The map provides crucial turn-by-turn directions, elevation profiles, and cyclist-specific information like food, water, and lodging.

Its strength lies in its highly detailed focus on this particular route segment, making it invaluable for those undertaking this specific journey. However, the extremely brief ‘print length’ suggests it might be more of a map set than a comprehensive guidebook. If you’re riding this section of the Great Divide, this is essential; for general Colorado riding, look elsewhere.

This guide is your go-to resource for discovering 50 of the best mountain bike rides in and around Colorado Springs. It caters to all levels, from easy road rides to challenging boulder fields, ensuring you can find a trail that matches your skill and fitness. The pocket-sized format makes it incredibly convenient to carry on your rides, with concise directions, difficulty ratings, and trail maps.

You’ll find this guide particularly useful for exploring the diverse terrain near Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and Cañon City. While the publication date is a bit dated, the core information about trailheads and difficulty should still be highly relevant. It’s an indispensable companion for local rides.

This guide offers a fantastic collection of easy and scenic mountain bike rides, perfect for exploring Colorado’s Front Range and Central Mountains. You’ll find 22 distinct routes, all within a two-hour drive of Denver, emphasizing beautiful vistas, lakes, and ghost towns. Each ride is accompanied by a professional photograph and a custom map, making navigation straightforward and enjoyable for riders of all skill levels.

While the focus is on accessibility and scenery, don’t expect highly technical challenges. This book is ideal for beginners or those seeking a relaxed ride with stunning views. If you’re looking for extreme downhill or technical singletrack, you might need to supplement this guide with other resources.