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Fruita Rides
The secret is out-Fruita has become the hot new mountain bike mecca in the Rockies. The reason is rather simple. Mountain biking in Fruita is a ton of fun. This western Colorado area features a plethora of rides for all ability levels, friendly and helpful locals, and a climate ideal for cycling in the spring and fall. There is also plenty of reasonable lodging like Grapeland B&B and free BLM camping conveniently located near the riding areas.
Fruita (aka. Fruitopia) was rated as the 7th Best Mountain Bike Destination in the U.S. by Bicycling magazine. The main criteria for this impressive rating was the quality of the mountain bike experience. Fruita boasts both quality and quantity of mountain bike trails all in an uncrowded environment. No knobby to knobby traffic jams here folks!
I'd like to give you a sampling of me and the Sun Dog's favorite rides so that you have the information you need to start exploring and enjoying this fantastic upcoming cycling mecca.
Easy Cruisers for Beginners
Mary's Loop is a great place for beginner level mountain bikers to start their Fruita adventure. The loop, which starts the famous Kokopelli Trail, is a combination of "rider friendly" jeep road and
mellow single track. This most popular loop for greenhorns also features incredible scenery, highlighted by epic views over the mighty Colorado River. To get to Mary's, continue past Fruita west on I-70 four miles to the Loma exit. Go left over the highway, take a right at the fork then an
immediate left on a dirt road. Go a quarter mile and park at the lot. The loop starts with a short jeep road climb directly
across from the dirt lot.
Rustler's Loop, a new "interpretive trail" adjacent to Mary's Loop, is also sweet for greenhorns. Approximately 3 miles in length, Rustler's features
sandy rolling single track on a scenic bench over the mighty Colorado River. It makes for an ideal
warm-up ride for more advanced riders as well.
Another great mellow ride features smooth rolling single track with the Bookcliff area as its backdrop. This out and back is called the Prime Cut
and once you "get a taste of it" you'll know why. To get there from Over the Edge bike shop in Fruita, proceed east on Aspen Avenue to Maple Street and go left. Continue on Maple as it becomes 17 1/2 Road. Take this four miles to N 3/10 and go right a quarter mile to 18 Road. Then go left on 18 Road and proceed for approximately 7 miles (as the road goes from pavement to dirt). Park at a small dirt lot on your left and start your blissful ride on the
single track directly across from the lot.
Moderate Loops for the Intermediate
Sun Dog's favorite ride, on days when she's feelin' like a little challenge, is the Frontside out on 18 Road. Take same directions as above to the Prime Cut and start this cool moderate ride there. After completing the Prime Cut, continue past the turnoff for Chutes and Ladders, over 18 Road and along a jeep road about 100 yards. Take a hard right onto the Frontside
single track. Continue on out several miles on a roller coaster ride from heaven, showcasing some steep short up and downs and some sassy switchbacks eventually meeting a jeep road. Turn it around for a classic out and back endeavor. Take the Prime Cut descent, to top off this glorious sage and pinion desert ride.
Gonzo/Abusive Rides for the Experts
Classic Rides for the advanced rider are all over the map around "Fruitopia". One of the "must do's" is just past the Mary's Loop on the Kokopelli. Take the Loma Exit off I-70, go left over the highway, take a short jog to the right and a left on dirt to get there. Lion's Loop and Troybuilt will bring a wicked grin to any advanced riders mug as they include fun, fast technical
single track along the rim over the Colorado River. For a longer version continue on the trail past Troybuilt all the way to Rabbit Valley. A morning car shuttle to Rabbit Valley is suggested (or you have to spin the shoulder of the interstate to return to the Loma Exit trailhead).
A new ride this Spring, Moore Fun, is also reported to be challenging. Moore Fun, also located in the "Kokopelli Complex" next to Mary's, features a hearty 45-60 minute climb for advanced riders that will hook into Mack Ridge or Lion's Loop. Besides some gnarly climbs it's got the technical, rocky sections that some experts report are "doable", but often entail a brief portage. Check it out to see if it's really Moore Fun or just More Brutal!
Infinite expert loops abound out on the end of 18 Road. Some of our favorites start on the Prime Cut go to Chutes and Ladders, Frontside Edge, Joe's Ridge and Zippity Do Da. The Edge Loop is also out there and will keep you challenged and amazed with its jeep road and
single track most of the day. Get the guidebook/map at the Over the Edge bike shop to navigate this trick grand daddy of a ride, which some say is the "Porcupine Rim" of Fruita.
Often overlooked by gonzos, is the riding on the east side of the monument. The Gunny Loop/Lunch Loop/Ribbon Loop trailhead can be found by turning onto the Monument Road, proceeding a mile and a half and parking in the dirt lot on the left. Again, a guidebook with map is helpful to navigate the endless options of loop connections. Starting with smooth jeep road, this mountain biking area soon becomes
single track with slickrock, lava rock and plenty of steep up and downs. Ride the Lunch Loop up to the Eagle's Wing or Ribbon Loop and finish by descending the Gunny, featuring an adrenalin rush of a rip and roll descent!
To sum it up- why drive all the way to Moab when killer uncrowded riding exits two hours down the road in our great state of Colorado? Fruita offers something for everyone and will keep you smilin' and coming back for more. |
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