Five Favorite MTB Rides of 2013
3 Jan 2014
This list could be a lot longer, but I limited myself to one per state. And then I was further limited to rides that I actually had pictures of. And then I just decided that five was a nice, round number. The point is, I got a lot of kickass riding in this summer and this is only a small sampling. Each and every one of these rides is worth doing over and over and over again.
1 Millstone Trails in Barre, VT
Length: many, many options
Cost: $10 day pass
Rocks, moss and lots of rad structures. Take a wrong turn and you end up in an abandoned granite quarry (see first photo). Trails have names like “Roller Coaster” and “Screamin’ Demon” so obviously it’s awesome. Just don’t run over any of the little orange newts!
2 Frazier Mountain, Northside of Taos Ski Valley, Taos, NM
Length: 13mi up and down (could be longer!)
Cost: $10 day pass or $50 season pass
12,000 feet. Dazzling views. Bright sunlight. The potential for a mountain goat sighting. Be prepared for a long, lung-shattering climb. It’s good for you. Plus, then you get to come down.
3 Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman Loop, Crested Butte, CO
Length: 18 mi
Or “Reno-dead-bear-creek-whatsit” as Macky and I have a tendency to call it. Anyway, if you think the name is a doozy, wait until you see the ride. It’s actually four trails — Reno, Flag-something, Bear Creek and Deadman’s Gulch. Be prepared for some steep climbing (3,000 feet of it actually), some screaming rocky descents and views that will knock your knee socks off. This ride was particularly awesome because I got to demo the Pivot 429 for the first time ever. Of course, Macky stole it back from me just when things got fun, but still, it gave me a taste of the awesomeness. And then, there was a nice cold creek and beer at the end. #winning
Length: ~ 10 mi
Okay, this is a classic, but it needs to go on the list. It’s kind of like riding on the moon. And it’s also kind of like being a superhero because you can ride up near vertical faces without falling over. A better moniker for slickrock would be extremely-sticky-rock. I’m not sure Slickrock is my favorite trail in Moab, but it certainly is the most memorable. Mainly because it looks like this…the entire time. (Photo credit to Sean Cassily, Field Institute of Taos.)
5Mount Rose to Chimney Beach, Lake Tahoe, NV
Length: 20 mi
This was one of those rides that was bound to be a total fail. Our riding buddies were bailing like crazy, we were getting started three hours late, it looked like it might storm and I had just raced Downieville the weekend before and didn’t care to ever sit on a bike seat again. Plus, the shuttling situation left me crammed into the back of the car in a space that was about two millimeters wide. I was sure it was going to suck. And then it was totally awesome. So, there you go. Probably because it was mainly downhill and an absolutely fantastic, ripping sort of downhill at that.
Happy trails for 2014!
Your photos are gorgeous! What a great way to see the world…I can only sit back and admire your stamina…oh to be that fit. It really does look like such fun though.
Just want to say that these photos are amazing!! I have never considered even attempting to see the world by biking but if I ever did this would certainly be an inspiration. Your experiences are clearly breathtaking and you are likely to see different parts of the world that the majority of folks, even the fondest of global travelers, will ever see in their life given your love for off-road wanderings!
Great job guys and keep up the great work! Will enjoy visiting your site and following you on your travels!
It certainly is a great way to see the world. I recommend it ;)
Wow that all looks (and sounds) amazing!! Times like this, I wish I was more sporty, you look like you have had a fabulous year!!
The last time I was on a bike was…. um, 199?. I need the motorised variety now. Or to be doubled… good on you for being so adventurous. I’ll just keep reading to think I am being healthy.
They all look completely amazing! The scenery is very different and they all look like they have something unique to offer. If I had to pick one, I think I would love to try Frazier Mountain! It looks challenging but the views are breathtaking!
Millstone trails looks awesome – I’d love to wander through an abandoned granite quarry! Not entirely sure I’m up to a trail named “Screamin’ Demon,” though.
Wow, very cool! I really wanna do the Slickrock Trail if we ever get there. Great post and lovely pictures. Cheers, Jempi & Nina
I love this. I bought a mountain bike when I lived in WA and yes, I did use it! But, I never did anything extreme. Maybe I’ll have to get some tips from you as I’d love to get back into it-especially since biking is fairly easy on my knee. Great photos and post! :)
Definitely hit me up! I love talking bikes (obviously). Never ridden in WA but I’ve heard it’s awesome. I’ll be in BC and WA this summer a bit so I’ll get to check it out!
I’m so super excited to see this blog! And you… Are. A. GIRL talking about bikes ahhh! My little story is… Im a girl too, ha! I live in wa state. I’ve recently found my love for bikes again. I’m doing my very first enduro race this summer (holla!) I’ve dug deep into the internet finding every race, blog, basically if it has the word bike in it, I’m there. I have to say I’m a little jealous that u are doing something everyone wishes they could do. Makes u a little more radder. Well, I guess that’s it. Can’t wait to follow along and see your adventures! Cheers!
YAY! I love seeing other girls who race enduro (or MTB in general)! Stoked to meet you :)
Remind me to hook you up with a handful of mountain biking fanatics when you eventually make it to Slovenia. Great terrain and trails await when you finally set off to chase your roots.
That would be awesome! I’m crossing my fingers for an Italy/Slovenia venture this fall. Lot of things need to fall into place, though…
Wow the first picture from Slickrock trail looks so cool! I’m sure after riding your bike for hours with that same scenery it might get a little…unexciting but it seriously looks awesome. The bike I have now is a banana bike but it works perfect for the beach haha.
I can honestly say it never gets unexciting. Haha.