Front Range question

**mwthomsen** · 08-06-2017, 09:00 AM

Looking for mountain bike ride suggestions on the south side of the city. Looks like we are moving to Parker and all I've ridden are the trails between Golden and Lyons. I really enjoy Hall Ranch in Lyons as an indicator for hose who have ridden in both areas.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**smmokan** · 08-06-2017, 12:52 PM

Indian Creek is awesome and is usually fairly empty for a Front Range ride. I haven't ridden anything down around the Springs, but I've heard lots of great things. I'm sure someone will chime in about that stuff shortly.

**The SnowShow** · 08-06-2017, 01:03 PM

CO Trail out of Waterton Cyn is cool.

**dtown** · 08-06-2017, 10:25 PM

Buffalo Creek in 285 near Pine is a good one that isn't too far

**skaredshtles** · 08-07-2017, 05:18 PM

Parker kinda blows for mt bike access. There is a little stuff in the Douglas County Open Space inventory south of Parker, and I've heard Ridgeline in Castle Rock is pretty cool.

All that other stuff people are suggesting is pretty far from Parker. i.e. You're not likely to "hit it after work."

**skaredshtles** · 08-07-2017, 05:19 PM

Oh, wait - Limon's trails are nice.

**mwthomsen** · 08-07-2017, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Parker kinda blows for mt bike access. There is a little stuff in the Douglas County Open Space inventory south of Parker, and I've heard Ridgeline in Castle Rock is pretty cool.

All that other stuff people are suggesting is pretty far from Parker. i.e. You're not likely to "hit it after work."

It's 45 minutes to anything from Broomfield so I'm use to driving to ride.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

**skaredshtles** · 08-07-2017, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by mwthomsen

It's 45 minutes to anything from Broomfield so I'm use to driving to ride.

Yeah - Parker won't be any shittier than that. I'd add Deer Crik if you like chunk. As well as all the "Golden -> Littleton" stuff - LOTB, Dak Ridge, RR/WM, Chimpex.

**mwthomsen** · 08-07-2017, 05:45 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

**smmokan** · 08-07-2017, 08:54 PM

Yeah, Parker is worse than Broomfield for MTB access. Maybe you should just buy a road bike.

**Lindahl** · 08-08-2017, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by mwthomsen

It's 45 minutes to anything from Broomfield so I'm use to driving to ride.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

Its 30 minutes to anything worth riding from Boulder. Kinda boggles me. You're right there... but you're not.

**The SnowShow** · 08-08-2017, 09:02 AM

Agree, it is amazing. So much good terrain right there and no mtb. The hiking and climbing is great though.

**adrenalated** · 08-08-2017, 09:25 AM

If you like the rock garden at Hall then Deer Creek will be right up your alley.

Make friends with someone that lives in Ken Caryl so that you can get access to the private trails there.

There is OK riding near Monument but at that driving distance I'd probably spend more time in Golden.

**mwthomsen** · 08-08-2017, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by adrenalated

If you like the rock garden at Hall then Deer Creek will be right up your alley.

Make friends with someone that lives in Ken Caryl so that you can get access to the private trails there.

There is OK riding near Monument but at that driving distance I'd probably spend more time in Golden.

Thanks not a fan of going up the rock garden, but going down is ok. [emoji2]

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

**smmokan** · 08-08-2017, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Lindahl

Its 30 minutes to anything worth riding from Boulder. Kinda boggles me. You're right there... but you're not.

That's exactly what they want... mountain bikers are the scourge of the earth. The nail in the coffin for me was last year when one of the BoCo Open Space employees told me the City Council "doesn't want any more mountain bikers, they don't spend money like other visitors".

**skaredshtles** · 08-08-2017, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by adrenalated

If you like the rock garden at Hall then Deer Creek will be right up your alley.

Make friends with someone that lives in Ken Caryl so that you can get access to the private trails there.

There is OK riding near Monument but at that driving distance I'd probably spend more time in Golden.

Or more time in K/C - if you find that friend.

**skaredshtles** · 08-08-2017, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by mwthomsen

Thanks not a fan of going up the rock garden, but going down is ok. [emoji2]

Yup - Deer Crik is the same. Push up the (many) rock gardens, smash and bash on the way down.

Best done during the week during the day to avoid crowds.

**mwthomsen** · 08-08-2017, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Or more time in K/C - if you find that friend.

Maybe there is someone on here that lives there.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

**Danno** · 08-08-2017, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

That's exactly what they want... mountain bikers are the scourge of the earth. The nail in the coffin for me was last year when one of the BoCo Open Space employees told me the City Council "doesn't want any more mountain bikers, they don't spend money like other visitors".

It's too late for a lot of stuff, but I think this attitude is changing, some new City Council members who are more pro-recreation access, or so it seems.

**jm2e** · 08-08-2017, 10:24 AM

Surely there's some bandit trail activity?

**smmokan** · 08-08-2017, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

It's too late for a lot of stuff, but I think this attitude is changing, some new City Council members who are more pro-recreation access, or so it seems.

That's what I've heard, but I'll believe it when I see it.

**Lindahl** · 08-08-2017, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by jm2e

Surely there's some bandit trail activity?

Its not close. Still a good 30+ out.

**Danno** · 08-08-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

Surely there's some bandit trail activity?

There was a downhill trail discovered on Flagstaff a few years ago, but bandit trail stuff on city open space is likely to get discovered fairly quickly.

Originally Posted by smmokan

That's what I've heard, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Well, what's happened with Joder Ranch and the connector to Heil should make you somewhat believe, and real planning is starting on connecting to Betasso (ie, so no road needs to be ridden). Yes, it's all nibbling around the edges after we got royally fucked in the West TSA process. But stuff is happening. And the West TSA plan comes due again in 4 years, I suspect (hope?) the process will be different this go round.

**smmokan** · 08-08-2017, 02:17 PM

I guess it's "progress".... but Joder Ranch is a glorified dirt road that's a sad excuse for a mountain bike trail (I don't know a single person that's ever considered riding there) and the new Heil 2 Trail is two miles long. Look at the process for getting the 3-mile connector trail along Hwy 36 approved- that thing won't be built for another 3-5 years and it's along a freakin' highway.

I mean overall, I can't complain considering the number of sweet trails we have between Fort Collins and Littleton, but there's so much more potential that it gets frustrating.