Thread: Dakota Ridge- most tech Front Range trail?

Holy shit... I just rode the Dakota Ridge trail for the first time today. Granted, I had no idea what I was doing and went the wrong way (counter clockwise) so I was pushing my bike most of the way up it, but seriously... does anyone clean that section? That shit is so technical that I can't see how it would be that much fun. I like the Red Rocks/Morrison Slide sections, but Dakota Ridge is over the top.

Are there any other FR trails that are like that?

That one is tough...I like it though and yes people can ride all of it, I have seen it done, but never done it all myself. The second set of water bar steps always gets me.

it's probably the only really-close-to-town true-blue technical riding we have here. It might even make shirk proud.

there's some techy stuff in CO Springs as well.

smmokan - give it another shot CW - i find that it's much more enjoyable that way (especially now that you know what you're getting into)

i've heard of people cleaning that second set of steps (fluidly too) but i've never seen anybody pull it off.

for me, the rest of it's kind of a crap shoot - it's all rideable, but there's no way in hell i'll ever be able to pull it all together in one shot. not even close.

now i want to go ride it...

It definitely kicked my ass... and the worst part was, after I realized I was going the wrong way (about 1/3 of the way up Dakota), it was too late to turn around because I didn't have enough energy to ride all the way back around. I did Hall yesterday thinking the rock garden section was fun/tough, but damn, Dakota humbled me.

I've seen some pictures of Dakota Ridge and it looked danged fun and much more technical than the only DGO area trail I've ridden, White Ranch. If it's got sections that make many riders walk, that's a good sign!

UC, I"d say its much harder than the sections of WR I"ve been on... but Dakota is only 2+ miles long, so it isn't much.

How does it compare to the rocky section on South St. Vrain?

All the trails on the front range are a piece of cake.

I'd say similar tech to SSV (909). Maybe not as long, but I haven't been on that section of the 909 in a while. I have my good days and my bad days at Dakota but I will never clear the 2nd set of water bars. Mostly cause I'm too lazy to keep trying.

Cool.
I gotta check it out.
I LOVE that SSV loop, especially poaching around the toll booth!

It's good, but woefully short.

I got the ride for you, walkit. Next time.

I have been WAY more on my game descending this year, DS.
Got the groove back.
Turns out I had a blown miniscus/mcl all last season, and didn't know it.
Well, sorta on my game...If I get hurt before this baby comes, you KNOW what Rachel will do to me!

Originally Posted by rideit

Cool.
I gotta check it out.
I LOVE that SSV loop, especially poaching around the toll booth!

Yeah! We have this ride on tap for tomorrow: SSV/wapiti baptiste loop/SD to the research station. Funny I have yet to do it when I live like 10 miles away...though we do have lots of other fun riding within 10 miles that I keep myself busy with

As far as techie... I'd throw Lions Gulch into the mix....

ride dakota as an out and back. and take the 1.5 mile spur add on above the race track.

and yes, there are lots of trails like that. buff singletrack is for rontelewhackers.

Buff singletrack is fun. Dakota as an out-and-back? There's NO way anyone can ride that trail clean counter clockwise. If so, I want to see it.

no you can't ride dakota in reverse totally clean. but other that about 6 spots that would require some hans rey steeze, its pretty much rideable.

oh, and you should check out hall ranch (short, but fun), palmer park and others in the springs, lion's gulch, camp dick, santa cruz and ride with me up in lefthand.

I've done Hall quite a few times- I love it. Im' out of town for the next week+, but when I get back I'll give you a shout.

Originally Posted by marshalolson

camp dick,

camp dick has some hard stuff around, i do that one a good bit, might do it tomorrow, or hike something in Indian peaks

Originally Posted by marshalolson

oh, and you should check out hall ranch (short, but fun), palmer park and others in the springs, lion's gulch, camp dick, santa cruz and ride with me up in lefthand.

I'd be up for that (well, except for Hall). But first, the Crest calls...

Originally Posted by LaBelle23

Yeah! We have this ride on tap for tomorrow: SSV/wapiti baptiste loop/SD to the research station. Funny I have yet to do it when I live like 10 miles away...though we do have lots of other fun riding within 10 miles that I keep myself busy with

Wait a minute...what route are you taking? Are you riding up SSV and then taking Sourdough back to the car????

Please tell me you're going to be making sure to hit SSV heading down somewhere in there. Much, much better that way.

I've walked some pretty serious stuff at Golden Gate.

Originally Posted by Rideski

I've walked some pretty serious stuff at Golden Gate.

Mtn. Lion and Snowshoe Hare both have some very cool bits!